FROM NORFOLK ISLAND. 331 men. This was the second time the boat had been overset with 1788 that midshipman in her, and the first time one man was lost. 28Sept The want of a good landing-place and secnrity for vessels in t^e winter is the only thing to be wished for, the island being in every other respect one of the finest in the world. The earth is very Description rich — ^monld to the depth of ^ve and six feet wherever they have dng so deep — and all the grain and garden seeds which have been pat into the ground growing in the most Inxuriant manner. This island, from the great quantity of pumice-stone found there, must formerly have been a volcano, the mouth of which, it is probable, will be found on the top of a small mountain near the middle of the island, which he [Lieutenant King] has named Mount Pitt. The island is exceedingly well watered, a strong stream, which rises at or near Mount Pitt, running through a very fine valley, plenty of sufSciently strong to turn a mill, though divided into several ^**'* branches ; and very fine springs of water are found in dififerent parts of the island. There are several small bays, and there are some hopes of finding a better landing-place ; but the necessity of employing everyone in No good sheltering themselves and the provisions from the weather, the small ^^^' number of people- — only seventeen men and six women — and the whole island being covered with wood, which a sort of supple-jack interwoven with the trees renders almost impassable, have hitherto prevented its being examined. With this small number Mr. King has cleared sufiicient ground to have vegetables of every kind in the Cultivation, greatest abundance, three acres in barley, part of which had been first sown with wheat, but none of which came up, the grain being injured by the weevil; and ground was ready to receive rice and Indian com when the Supply was there. All his people were in good houses, and he says that he has no doubt but ih&t within three years they shall be in such a situation as to support them- selves, with the assistance of a small proportion of salt provisions ; oood and that they will not stoud in need of that after the fourth P'o«p«°*«- year. They Imve fish in great abundance, some turtle in the season, great number of pigeons, and have found the plantain grow- ing wild. The flax-plant (some roots of which I shall send by the Sirius to fUx. the Cape to be forwarded to England) is found very luxuriant all over the island, growing to the height of eight feet. Unfortunately, the person I sent who called himself a flax-dresser, cannot prepare Digitized by Google
