teen miles to the westward. The seabreeze setting in
early, we did not reach it till after dark, when we landed for
observations at a cliffy projection near the eastern entrance point: this
we found to be composed of a kind of pipeclay, mixed with calcareous
matter. We had some difficulty in landing, and then in scrambling up the
cliffs by the light of a lantern. If any of the watchful natives happened
at the time to be on the lookout, they must have stood fixed with
astonishment at beholding such strange persons, who at such a time of
night, with no ostensible object were visiting their shores.

EXPLORE A NEW OPENING.

September 9.

Before the veil of darkness was quite removed, we could faintly
distinguish the mouth of the opening; and the sight at daylight was most
cheering. A wide bay appearing between two white cliffy heads, and
stretching away within to a great distance, presented itself to our view.
Far to the southward, between the heads, rose a small table-topped hill.
As we pulled in towards the eastern entrance point, the river-like
appearance began to wear off, more land making its appearance towards the
head of the opening. On reaching this point Mr. Forsyth and myself
climbed up the cliff, whilst the breakfast was cooking. From the summit
we had a good view of the bay, and were delighted to find large openings
in the south-east and south-west corners of it. The table hill before
mentioned, stood on the point between them. To see the eastern part of
it, however, it was necessary to cross to the opposite point, where some
talc slate, pieces of which measured four inches in length, was found
imbedded in quartz. The point was called in consequence, Talc Head.

PORT DARWIN.

The other rocks near it were of a fine-grained sandstone: a new feature
in the geology of this part of the continent, which afforded us an
appropriate opportunity of convincing an old shipmate and friend, that he
still lived in our memory; and we accordingly named this sheet of water
Port Darwin. A few small bamboos grew on this head; the other trees were
chiefly white gums. I climbed to the top of one of them, and obtained
thence a view of another opening in the eastern part of the harbour. It
now being low-water, an extensive shoal was discovered, reaching from
abreast of Talc Head to the point separating the South-East and
South-West openings, an extent of nearly five miles. This somewhat
diminished the value of our discovery, as it