19

1798             -tion in which these are principally found, is a sandy valley in near the
February       middle of the island; which is likewise remarkable by being thickly strewed with the bones of birds and small animals. How these bones came there, can only at present be conjectured; as to what depth they may extend, we did not examine. It might be worth the [illegible] to enquire, whether any latent connection could possibly exist, between these animal substances and the transformation observable in the trees.
    At the top opening of the large lumps of rock, particularly on Rum Island, is a hollow in which a smaller stone rests, as a cup in its saucer; and when under the high land of Cape Barren, I observed, with a glass, the same thing at the summit of the peak.
    Hamilton's Road seems to be the only place for a vessel of any size to ride in; so one that did not draw more than seven or eight feet water, might go into either of the bays round the north east point of the island. There are indeed several places between Cape Barren Island and those south of it, where a ship might ride in security, over a sandy bottom of sufficient depth; and if ever examined, there will no doubt be found passages into them. According to M^r Hamilton, the tide flows into the road till half past eleven o'clock, at full exchange of the moon: at Port Jackson it is high water at half past eight: the flood therefore comes from the northward on this part of the coast.