Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/331

1837.] the most part; in some places called the "flats" it is difficult at low water to get a boat over; the Swan is however navigable to vessels carrying three or four tons as far as Perth, that is, about twelve miles from the coast; the banks vary alternately on each side into hilly points and extensive flats, and are either sandy, alluvial or loamy, according to the tract of country they pass through. They are studded by trees, but neither the height of the banks, nor the number of trees, shade the water from free exposure to the sun and winds. Shoals of fish occasionally come up these rivers from the sea, and periodical floods occur after heavy rains, which overflow the banks and leave a deposit of alluvium on the low grounds; such a circumstance occurred in the winter of 1830. The fallen trees and stumps contribute much to increase these floods. Fresh water lagoons are numerous; there are also some containing salt water.

The water of the wells is abundant, and has the taste, odour, and transparence of the most perfect kind; it sparkles in the glass, and is found to answer to the utmost for all domestic purposes. It boils without leaving a sediment; is easily digested, excites the appetite, and may be drank freely without relaxing the stomach.

In the early period of the colony, there was some difficulty in finding good water along the coast, and in some other situations, but it was afterwards ascertained that it arose from the wells not having been made sufficiently deep. The water of some of the wells has still a darkish appearance, from not being properly cleared of roots of trees and other vegetable matter; in some places the water is impregnated with iron. In the government garden at Perth, there is a chalybeate spring which has been found useful in cases where a mild tonic is required. A small quantity of carbonic acid, carbonate of iron, and of muriate of soda, were found by analysis in this water; but I had not the means of ascertaining the exact proportions.

The strongest winds are from the north-west; the next in force from the south-west: the north wind is the hottest, and if long continued during the summer (which rarely happens) shrivels up vegetables and destroys their tender shoots. During the summer months there is a regular land and sea breeze, almost daily; the former of a morning from the east and north-east, the latter sets in about noon from the south and south-west; these winds render the intense heat of the sun less inconvenient and dangerous; the nights are cool, and the mornings and evenings agreeable. About 2 the thermometer begins to