Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/17

] that enabled it to flow within the land, where we saw on it many ducks; but they would not let us approach within a considerable distance of them. From their being thus afraid of man, I infer, that they are not safe from the attacks of the natives.

In the woods we found few insects; but for this we were amply compensated when we returned to the sea-side. As the weather was very fine, the insects had flown thither from all parts; and among the great number of those that had attempted to cross the bay, many termites, and various coleoptera, of very strange shapes. The wind had driven them upon the sand, where we could collect them with great ease.

Next morning, at day-break, we landed near the head of the bay, whence we entered a large valley, which stretches to the south-west, between some very high hills. From the top of one of the highest we could see all the country, as far as the foot of the great mountain, that bore north-west from our ships. The snow still remaining on its summit, rendered the view very picturesque, and by its contrast heightened the beautiful verdure of the large trees, which appeared to grow on it with great vigour.

Many species of embothrium were observed on the declivity of the hills where we were. Lower down