Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 1.djvu/85

 co.srs or Avsra. 31 sand, mud, and clay, in which the first bore the greatest proportion. On no part of the coast did we find the heat so intense and oppressive as in this river; the thermometer stood at 94 �nd the ground was so heated, that we were obliged to beat abush down to stand upon, whilst we were taking the bearings of some of the islets in the offing. Some natives and a dog had very recently been crossing the little creeks that fell into the river, for the impressions of their feet were ob- served below the high-water mark; the mouths of the creeks were planted with weirs, similar to those in the river at Oyster Harbour. The river appeared to abound in fish, but the only sort that w/m caught was what the sailors called cat-fish; they were of a nauseous taste. Pelicans and curlews were very numerous, parti- ariafly the latter, in consequence of which the inlet was called Curlew River; but the most nu- merous and annoying of the inhabitants of this part were the flies, from their constantly creeping into the eyes, nostrils, and mouth, particularly during our mealsi and it required some, little trouble to partake of our repast without also conveying with it several of these trouble- same insects. On our return to the cutter, our party very

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