Page:Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies.djvu/145

1832.] few seconds, buried themselves in the sand, the surface of which they left covered with pellicles like peas.

Seals are not now frequent on this part of the coast; one of large size was killed on the beach during our stay; in the course of which the weather was occasionally inclement for a few days at a time. Rain was often attended by thunder: previous to it, the Ants were busy raising mounds around their holes, to prevent inundation.

12th mo. 13th. Accompanied by Edward Curr, and three assigned servants of the Company, we set out for the Hampshire Hills: the weather previously had rendered the rivers on the way impassable. We travelled on horseback, and were each equipped with a long bundle, formed by a blanket, containing sundry needful articles, and with a tin pot, and a tether-rope, attached to the fore part of the saddle. We crossed a muddy bay, and rode eight miles along a sandy beach, to the Black River, which we forded without difficulty, the tide being low.—On this river, there is blue slate, of good quality, limestone, and quartz-rock. Continuing on the beach five miles further, we crossed Crayfish River, and in four miles more, came to the Detention River, which we also passed on the bar. Here we halted, on a grassy place, where there was a small spring, and made tea, while the horses grazed; they being relieved from their burdens, and tethered to the bushes. When the horses were a little rested, we ascended the white quartz hills, of Rocky Cape, which were but thinly covered with sandy peat. A species of Xanthorrhaea, or Grass-tree, is scattered over them, having a root-stock of a few inches high, supporting a crest of stiff spreading rushy leaves, from the centre of which rises a stem from 2 to 5 feet high, thickly covered, excepting a few inches at the base, with rough buds, and with flowers resembling little white stars. A beautiful Blandfordia was also scattered in this district: its stems were 1½ ft. high, and supported crests of from 10 to 20 pendulous, red blossoms, margined with yellow, l½ inch long, and ¾ inch wide, at the mouth.

Beyond these hills is a level, upon which, and on some