k; I have,
therefore, assigned them a place by themselves, with a view that the
conclusions adopted in them may be more strongly enforced on the minds
of those, to whom they are more particularly addressed.

CHAPTER XV.

The Face of the Country; its Productions, Climate, &c.

To the geographical knowledge of this country, supplied by Captain Cook,
and Captain Furneaux, we are able to add nothing. The latter explored
the coast from Van Diemen's land to the latitude of 39 deg south;
and Cook from Point Hicks, which lies in 37 deg 58 min, to Endeavour
Streights. The intermediate space between the end of Furneaux's
discovery and Point Hicks, is, therefore, the only part of the
south-east coast unknown, and it so happened on our passage thither,
owing to the weather, which forbade any part of the ships engaging with
the shore, that we are unable to pronounce whether, or not, a streight
intersects the continent hereabouts: though I beg leave to say, that I
have been informed by a naval friend, that when the fleet was off this
part of the coast, a strong set-off shore was plainly felt.

At the distance of 60 miles inland, a prodigious chain of lofty
mountains runs nearly in a north and south direction, further than the
eye can trace them. Should nothing intervene to prevent it, the Governor
intends, shortly, to explore their summits: and, I think there can be
little doubt, that his curiosity will not go unrewarded. If large rivers
do exist in the country, which some of us are almost sceptical enough
to doubt, their sources must arise amidst these hills; and the direction
they run in, for a considerable distance, must be either due north, or
due south. For it is strikingly singular that three such noble harbours
as Botany Bay, Port Jackson, and Broken Bay, alike end in shallows and
swamps, filled with mangroves.

The general face of the country is certainly pleasing, being diversified
with gentle ascents, and little winding vallies, covered for the most
part with large spreading trees, which afford a succession of leaves
in all seasons. In those places where trees are scarce, a variety of
flowering shrubs abound, most of them entirely new to an European,
and surpassing in beauty, fragrance, and number, all I ever saw in an
uncultivated state: among these, a tall shrub, bearing an elegant white
flower, which smells like English May, is particularly delightful, and
perfumes the air around to a great distance. The