tion. On forcing a stick, about three feet long, into the ground we
found water, and with little trouble dug a well which produced as much as
our occasions required. It was very good, but I could not determine if it
was a spring or not. We were not obliged to make the well deep for it
flowed as fast as we emptied it, which, as the soil was apparently too
loose to retain water from the rains, renders it probable to be a spring.
On the south side of the island likewise we found a small run of good
water.

Besides places where fires had been made there were other signs of the
natives sometimes resorting to this island. I saw two ill-constructed
huts or wigwams which had only one side loosely covered, and a pointed
stick was found, about three feet long, with a slit in the end of it to
sling stones with, the same as the natives of Van Diemen's land use.

The track of some animal was very discernible and Nelson agreed with me
that it was the kangaroo; but whether these animals swim over from the
mainland, or are brought here by the natives to breed, it is impossible
to determine. The latter is not improbable as they may be taken with less
difficulty in a confined spot like this than on the continent.

The island is about a league in circuit: it is a high lump of rocks and
stones covered with wood; but the trees are small, the soil, which is
very indifferent and sandy, being barely sufficient to produce them. The
trees that came within our knowledge were the manchineal and a species of
purow; also some palm trees, the tops of which we cut down, and the soft
interior part or heart of them was so palatable that it made a good
addition to our mess. Nelson discovered some fern-roots which I thought
might be good roasted as a substitute for bread, but in this I was
mistaken: it however was very serviceable in its natural state to allay
thirst, and on that account I directed a quantity to be collected to take
into the boat. Many pieces of coconut shells and husk were found about
the shore, but we could find no coconut trees, neither did I see any on
the main.

I had cautioned the people not to touch any kind of berry or fruit that
they might find; yet they were no sooner out of my sight than they began
to make free with three different kinds that grew all over the island,
eating without any reserve. The symptoms of having eaten too much began
at last to frighten some of them but, on questioning others who had taken
a more modera