on was 36 deg. 23'. At four, the fair
breeze died away, and a strong wind, which burst forth from the south,
obliged Mr. Bass to run for a gap in the land, which had just before been
noticed. Here, on a little beach at the mouth of an inlet, across which
the sea was breaking, the boat was hauled up for the night. Next morning,
the inlet being free of breakers, he entered the prettiest little model
of a harbour he had ever seen. Unfortunately it is but a model; for
although the shelter within be complete for small craft, yet the depth
over the bar is too small, even for boats, except at high water, when
there is eight or nine feet. This little place was named _Barmouth
Creek_, and lies, according to Mr. Bass' computation, in 36 deg. 47' south.
The country round, so far as was examined, is rocky and barren near the
sea; and towards the head of the creek, it is low and penetrated by the
salt swamps.

(Atlas, Pl. VI.)

Dec. 19. At day light Mr. Bass continued his course to the southward.,
with a fair breeze. At seven he discovered TWO-FOLD BAY; but unwilling to
lose a fair wind, reserved the examination of it for his return. At five
in the evening the wind came at S. S. W.; and he anchored under the lee
of a point, but could not land. A sea breeze from E. N. E. next day,
enabled him to continue onward; and at eleven, he bore away west, round
_Cape Howe_, whose latitude was observed to be 37 deg. 30'. In the evening he
landed at the entrance of a lagoon, one mile north of the _Ram Head_, in
order to take in as much fresh water as possible; for it was to be feared
that a want of this necessary article might oblige him to discontinue his
pursuit, at a time when, from the coast being unexplored, it would become
more than ever interesting.

Dec. 21. A gale set in at W. S. W., and continued for nine days without
intermission. This time was employed in examining the country, which,
though hilly in external appearance, was found to be mostly low, sandy,
and wet. The hills have a slight covering of green upon them, but consist
of little else than sand; and from what could be seen of the back
country, the soil there is scarcely better. The vallies are overgrown
with long grass, ferns, brush-wood, and climbing plants, so as to be
almost impenetrable; yet even there the soil is good for nothing.

At every landing place, from Jervis Bay to Barmouth Creek, the fresh
water had been observed to diminish both in quantity and quality; and