Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 1.djvu/141

 COASTS OF' AUSTRALIA. ' noise that was very frequently heard by us !sis. whenever we anchored, and passed a calm night .'19. near the shore. The next morning, before we got under weigh, o. we landed at the mouth of a small salt-water inlet, which trended in among the mangroves: hav- ing climbed a hill, we had a distinct view of the bottom of the port, which, at the distance of eight miles higher up, closed to a norrow opening, and then widened to a spacious inner harbour. The country is here thickly, and in some parts almost impenetrably, clothed with atca/.ptm, acada, paadan, fan palms, and vari- ous other trees; whilst the beaches are in 'some parts studded, and in others thickly lined with ' mangroves. The soil is chiefly of a gray sandy earth, and in some parts might be called even rich; there were, however, very few places that could bear so favourable a character. The cli- mate seems here to fayour vegetation so much, that the quality of the soil appears to. be of minor importance, for every thing thrives and looks verdant. Having returned on board, we got'under weigh, and steered for the narrow opening at the bottom of the port. On reaching it, the water deepened, bat we were obliged to anchor, and sound, the channel, before we succeeded in entering the Disitid , Goog[e

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