stood a hut, or rather
hovel, neatly constructed of branches of trees and dried leaves. "Around
it were scattered a great quantity of pearl, escalop, oyster, and other
shells, which had been lately roasted." The faeces of some large animal
were met with in every direction; but neither the animal itself nor any
of the natives could be found.

[* _Observations, etc., made during a voyage in the brig Mercury_; by
Lieut. G. Mortimer of the Marines. London, 1791.]

July 5. A heavy swell from the southward obliged Mr. Cox to get under
way; and he worked along shore to the eastward. His intention was to put
into Adventure Bay; but being set to the northward of his reckoning, on
the 8th, he discovered, and came to an anchor in OYSTER BAY, on the inner
side of Maria's Island, the shelter there being found secure, and wood
and water plentiful. This bay lies in 42 deg. 42' south, and 148 deg. 25' east,
and not more than three or four leagues to the northward of Tasman's
_Frederik Hendrik's Bay_; though Mr. Cox, following in the error of
captain Furneaux, seems to have had no idea of this proximity.

Some communication was obtained with the inhabitants of the island; but
as nothing in this, or in other respects, was found materially different
to what was observed by Mons. Marion and captain Cook in the neighbouring
bays, it is unnecessary to enter into the details.

D'ENTRECASTEAUX. 1792.

The French rear-admiral, BRUNY D'ENTRECASTEAUX, made the coast of Van
Diemen's Land with the intention of procuring wood and water at Adventure
Bay; "but deceived by the forms of the coast, which resemble each other,
he entered Storm Bay," April 20, 1792.* This is not, however, the Storm
Bay of Tasman; but that which was taken for such by captain Furneaux.

[* _Voyage de D'Entrecasteaux, redige par M. de Rossel_: A Paris 1808.
Tome I. p. 48.]

The error was soon detected; but finding shelter and good anchoring
ground, the admiral determined to remain where he was, and to examine the
inlet. The result most amply repaid his labour, by opening to him the
most important discovery which had been made in this country from the
time of Tasman. Instead of an open bay, this inlet was found to be the
entrance into a fine navigable channel, running more than ten leagues to
the northward, and there communicating with the true Storm Bay. It
contains a series of good harbours, or is itself, rather, one continued
harbour, from beginning to end.

This n