the jetty, where we were requested to take seats in the Port Officer's boat. A dispute arose between the cockswain and the harbour-master, both of whom, we soon discovered, were intoxicated, and this proved also to be the case with several of the crew. The harbour-master remonstrated against the boat proceeding, but the cockswain persisted in putting off: he soon brought us alongside of a ship lying at anchor, where he took in two prisoners to assist in pulling the boat: they were not very expert hands; and when the cockswain recovered from the effects of his intemperance, he desired to know who they were, and from whence they came, and he turned them both on shore! Committing the steering of the boat to G. W. Walker, and himself taking an oar with the men, they brought us in safety to the cutter, which had proceeded some miles down the Tamar.—When the tide was spent, we dropped anchor and went on shore. The natives pursued some kangaroos, casting off all their clothes in the chase.—We supped at a public-house by the water-side, where we had some conversation with a settler, respecting the atrocities committed by some reckless individuals upon the Aborigines; these were of such character, as to remove any wonder at the determination of these injured people, to try to drive from their land a race of men, among whom were persons guilty of such deeds.—In our ramble this evening, as well as in one at the Cataract, this morning, we noticed several striking shrubs in blossom; among them were a Prostanthera, with long spike-like branches of beautiful, purple flowers. Veronica formosa—a myrtle-like bush with lovely, blue blossoms, and Clematis blanda, with a profusion of fragrant, white flowers, an inch across.—When out this evening, Jumbo turned up her heel, and with a laugh, asked what that was, pointing to a leech as large as a black snail, that was biting her: she plucked it off and threw it away. One of the men pointed to the ground, and said in broken English, "Two more crackne here," i. e. rest, remain, or are here. One of the Blacks got the Commandant's hat and decorated it with the twining branches of Comesperma volubilis, covered with bright blue flowers resembling those of Milkwort.
23rd. The tide not serving till noon, I took a walk alone,
