Flinders
and Bass
1798.
the true variation; but with 6° 30′, they not only coincided, but placed this station in latitude 40° 43′ south, the same as deduced from three meridional observations taken within sight of the island.
One mile from the north-west end, lies a low, rocky islet, and several rocks both above and under water. All these are comprehended under the general name of the Swan Isles; a name which, on examination, they appeared very little to deserve, for we did not see a single bird of that species, or any of their nests; but there were several of the bernacle geese, and two of them were shot by Mr. Bass.
The length of the largest Swan Isle is two and a quarter miles, by a medium breadth of one mile. The Stony parts are over-run with thick brush wood, and the sandy are mostly covered with hassocks of wiry grass, to which the sooty petrels resort. In external appearance, this island bears a resemblance to that of Preservation; but its sterility is greater, and it is destitute of the kanguroo. We did not see any fresh water in the vallies, a seal upon the shores, nor any marks of the island having been ever visited by the natives of the opposite coast.
Nov. 1. Having an unfavourable wind, I waited the flood tide, and then proceeded westward, along that part of Van Diemen's Land to which the name of Cape Portland was given, in honour of His Grace the then secretary of state for the colonies. From the eastern extremity, the coast trends about N. 62° W. six leagues, and terminates in a point, off which lie some small rocky islets. The shore consists of long, sandy beaches, separated by low and stony points, which project very little beyond the coast line. The country for two or three miles behind the shore is low and sandy; but it then ascends in gradations of gently rising hills, and being covered with verdure, interspersed with clumps of wood and single trees of a fair growth, it had a very pleasing appearance. At the back of these hills, the bare and rugged tops of a ridge of distant mountains appeared