Page:The new British province of South Australia.djvu/49

30 found of use to ships; and for the establishment of a colony, which the excellence of the port might seem to invite, the little fertility of the soil offers no inducement. The wood consists principally of the eucalyptus and the casuarina.

"Of the climate we had no reason to speak but in praise; nor were we incommoded by noxious insects. The range of the thermometer on board the ship was from 66° to 78°. On shore the average height of the thermometer at noon was 76°." Mr. Westall corroborates this account of Captain Flinders in one respect only, which is in relation to the comparative sterility of the land immediately west of Port Lincoln; but he further says he is of opinion that the land at Port Lincoln is much better than that at King George's Sound; and this is found by recent experiment to be very good land, and applicable to all the purposes of agriculture.

Captain Dillon was at Port Lincoln in 1815. He landed at the head of the Port and remained there two days. The timber he saw was very large and in great plenty. The hills were covered with trees, and he considers the land to be very fertile and productive. The accounts of Port Lincoln given by MM. Baudin, Freycinet, and Peron are of a very encouraging character. After describing minutely the geographical position of the port, the following account is given, as translated by Pinkerton:—

"On the western side of the gulf, and near its entrance is Champagny Port (Port Lincoln), one of the finest and most secure in New Holland; in every part of it is an excellent bottom; the depth of water, even close in with the land, is from ten to twelve fathoms (French), and such is the capacity of this magnificent Port, that it is competent to receive the most numerous fleets. In front of this port is Lagrange Island (Boston Island), four or five leagues in circumference, and which, placed