I may here remind the reader, that among the results of our exploration of the Victoria was the addition of a new species of kangaroo, a freshwater tortoise, some fish, and several beautiful birds to the domains of natural history.

CHAPTER 2.4.  VICTORIA RIVER TO SWAN RIVER.

Leave Point Pearce. 
Error in position of Cape Rulhieres. 
Obtain soundings on supposed Sahul Shoal. 
Discover a shoal patch on it. 
Ascertain extent of bank of soundings off the Australian shore. 
Strange winds in Monsoon. 
See Scott’s Reef. 
Discover error in its position. 
Make Depuch Island. 
Prevalence of westerly winds near it. 
Sperm whales. 
Tedious passage. 
Death and burial of the ship’s cook. 
Anecdotes of his life. 
Good landfall. 
Arrival at Swan River. 
Find Colony improved. 
Hospitality of Colonists. 
Lieutenant Roe’s account of his rescuing Captain Grey’s party. 
Burial of Mr. Smith. 
Hurricane at Shark’s Bay. 
Observations on dry appearance of Upper Swan. 
Unsuccessful cruise of Champion. 
Visit Rottnest. 
Fix on a hill for the site of a Lighthouse. 
Aboriginal convicts. 
Protectors of natives. 
American whalers. 
Miago. 
Trees of Western Australia. 
On the safety of Gage Roads.

SAIL FOR SWAN RIVER.

December 12.

By this day Mr. Bynoe thought I was sufficiently recovered to be able to bear the motion of the ship at sea, and we accordingly sailed in the morning for Swan River.

Standing out from Point Pearce we had a better view, than on our first approach, of the coast to the north of it; trending in a North 11 degrees East direction.  It had a sandy appearance and was fronted with a rocky ledge at low-water, with one or two remarkable bare sand patches, four or five miles from the Point.  We had a shoal cast of nine fathoms (eight at low-water) ten miles west from Point Pearce.  In the afternoon we stood to the westward, in very even soundings of 15 fathoms.

On the 13th we saw the white cliffs of Cape Rulhieres, which, like Point Pearce, we found to be four miles and a half west of its assigned position.  On the 14th and 15th we were beating to the westward with a light and variable wind.

SAHUL SHOAL.

Our progress was slow, the monsoon being light; we therefore stood to the northward, to find a more steady breeze, and in order, whilst making our westing, to get some soundings over a large dotted space in the chart, bearing the name of the Great Sahul Shoal.  We desired also to ascertain the extent of the bank of soundings extending off this part of the Australian continent, which here approaches to within 245 miles of the south end of Timor.  The soundings varied, according to the boards we made over it, from 30 to 60 fathoms; the bottom in the lesser depth being a kind of coral, with bits of ironstone mixed with sand; whilst in the greater depth, it was a green sandy mud.