Page:Historical records of Port Phillip.djvu/32

 shells at bottom. There is a slip of trees about half a mile from the beach, then a clear level plain to the mountains, which I suppose to be fifteen or twenty miles. Passed two inlets of salt water. Got on board at two.

Thursday, 10th.—At six o'clock the same party went on shore. The slip of trees by the beach continued about a mile, when the shore became more high, about eight or ten feet above high water mark; we proceeded on for four or five miles, and the wind being contrary we observed the vessel "bring to," and we walked back and got on board about three o'clock. Several nautilus shells picked up.

Friday, 1lth.—At eight o'clock the captain, doctor, self, and carpenter, went on shore. We observed a hill at a distance and made to it; we crossed the two runs seen on the 9th; one ends in a swamp, the other salt water where we crossed it, the country very level, some plains, stony, and much water to lodge in it in wet weather. Went to the top of the hill; it is stony; could see about ten miles around us a level plain with a few straggling bushes. The face of the ground is one-third grass, one-do. stone, and one-do. earth, mostly newly burnt. Returned back nearly the same course, and found some brackish water in one of the runs we crossed before. Got on board about three o'clock.

Saturday, 12th.—Anchor up at sunrise; proceeded up the bay opposite to the place where the survey was left off on the 10th, the vessel being about the middle of the bay. We crossed over in the boat to the other shore. The party consisted of the captain, Mr. Grimes, the doctor, self, and seven seamen and marines—in all eleven, with four days' provisions; got on shore at five o'clock. I went on the top of a hill, where the land is good and fine pasture from ten to eighteen inches deep, fine black earth with white sandy clay or gravel bottom. The timber small and the same as before-mentioned. Came up with the doctor, and we went about two miles in, the country appearing the same.

Sunday, 13th.—Set out at six o'clock, the captain and three men in the boat, the rest on shore. The land and timber is of the same quality for several miles, and there are five dingles, which are runs of water in wet seasons, but all dry. The shore became swampy. Crossed the mud up to the knees; it continued low and muddy a considerable way. We stopped and dined opposite to a salt lagoon; started soon after, having but little water. The swamp continued for some miles farther, when I saw a high point of land, which I crossed, and it being near sunset stopped the night. We dug for water, but it was salt; we had not half a pint per man.

Monday, 14th.—Continued our course as soon as it was light. A large swamp two or three thousand acres, a brush of saltwort. Crossed two places up to the middle. Came to a fine green hill, very fine land, eighteen inches deep of rich black soil. The captain went on before in search of water, but found none. I crossed over the hill to the beach, and found an acid spring. Hailed the boat, and the surveyor came up about ten o'clock, when we breakfasted, and filled the cask and proceeded on. The land behind the hill high and woody. Came round to a