to north from the entrance, that it is not, at the head, more than four
hundred yards across to the shore of the long outer bay. The piece of
land, which is thus made a narrow peninsula, is rather high, with a face
of steep cliffs toward the sea. The rocks on the inner side bear strong
marks of volcanic fire; and being disposed in parallel layers, their
inclination to the west is very evident: quantities of pumice stone were
scattered along the shores.

The country round the bay is mostly barren. On the eastern side it is
rocky, with heath and brush-wood; the west is low, swampy, and sandy,
with some partial exceptions; but on the south side there are grassy
spaces amongst the brush-wood which might afford pasturage for cattle.

Jervis Bay was quitted Dec. 13., and at noon the Pigeon House bore W. by
N. In the evening Mr. Bass stopped in a cove, which Point Upright
shelters from northern winds; and he employed the next day in looking
round the country. The vallies and slopes of the hills were found to be
generally fertile; but there being nothing of particular interest in this
place, it was quitted on the 15th. Some small islands lying close under
the shore (in Bateman Bay), bore west at noon; and the night was passed
at anchor under a point, in latitude 36 deg. 00', where, the wind being foul
on the 16th, Mr. Bass laid the boat on shore, and proceeded to examine
the surrounding country.

At eight or nine miles from the coast is a ridge of hummocky hills,
extending to the southward; but the space between these hills and the sea
is low and in great part occupied by salt swamps. The sea was found to
have an entrance at the back of the point, and to form a considerable
lagoon, which communicated with the swamps by means of several branching
arms. The soil, as may be supposed, was generally bad, the sloping sides
of some of the hills being alone capable of any utility. In a round of
twelve or fourteen miles Mr. Bass could not find a drop of fresh water,
or see a native. There were, however, many huts, and he traced the paths
from them down to holes dug in the lowest grounds; but these were then
all dried up, and the country in general seemed to be suffering from
drought.

Dec. 17. The wind having veered to N. N. W., the boat was launched, and
proceeded to the southward. Mount Dromedary was passed at eleven; and an
island of about two miles in circuit was seen lying off it, a few miles
to the eastward: the latitude at no