Page:Victoria, with a description of its principal cities, Melbourne and Geelong.djvu/44

 those from the east make Flinder's Island to the left, or Wilson's Promontory to the right. Some years ago it was considered difficult and dangerous navigating to this port, but it having now become the most important in the southern hemisphere, particular attention is being paid to remove these difficulties. Lighthouses have been built on every available point, buoys laid down on the shoals, good pilots always cruising about, waiting inward-bound ships, and a very valuable book of sailing directions published by Mr. Charles Ferguson, Port and Harbour Master.

Although within the Heads there are three bays and ports. Swan Bay, Geelong Bay, and Hobson's Bay, the whole is more generally designated as Port Philip. The entrance is narrow and intricate without a pilot, it being but three miles across, and, from the effect of contrary currents and tides, full of shoals and sand-banks. On the western Head, Point Lonsdale, are two lighthouses, so situated as to serve for landmarks for the entrance by day or night. The first appearance on entering this large bay, which is thirty miles in length and thirty-six in extreme breadth, is not very imposing, the land adjoining the Heads being scrubby and barren. Near the lighthouses is seen a small hamlet, with a telegraph and signal station. As you enter the bay, and it opens before you, the surrounding country assumes a richer shade, disclosing some fine woodland scenery, extending towards the interior. To the