stems of the kelp to enable them to reach the bottom; these they handle as dexterously in descending, as a sailor would a rope, in ascending.
We sailed from Port Arthur on the 30th of 11th mo. After rounding Cape Pillar, the swell, which had been left by a recent gale, was very trying. We passed to the eastward of Maria Island, and sighted Cape Barren Island, in Banks's Strait, at daylight, on the 2nd of 12th mo.—Sailing west of Preservation Island, we anchored under Green Island, at high tide; and a gale from the south-east occasioned the vessel to drive, so that it was left dry at low water, lying down to one side very uncomfortably, but without further damage.—In consequence of this accident, the Aborigines were put on shore on Green Island, where they had a feast of Mutton Birds and their eggs, and smeared themselves from head to foot with red ochre and grease. The multitude of birds returning to the island in the evening was so great that it was difficult to conceive how each pair would find a burrow. The Aborigines from Flinders Island had been here, and we learned that they had collected 8,000 eggs: countless numbers were, however, still left: they had also destroyed great numbers of birds, which were scattered in all directions over the island.
12th mo. 3rd. Being landed by a whale-boat, at the Lagoons, the site of the old settlement on Flinders Island, we made our way along the beach, and through the bush, to Wybalenna, where we received a hearty welcome from both the Black and the White Inhabitants; and were much pleased with the improvements, since we were here fourteen months ago. A number of neat huts have been erected, and some land has been converted into gardens. One piece, of more than an acre and a half, has been broken up, fenced, and planted with potatoes, by the Aborigines.
The Aborigines of V. D. Land soon learned to distinguish between free people and prisoners, and shewed a contempt for the latter. The prisoners have adopted the expression, "to plant" a thing, to signify, to hide or conceal it, especially in regard to things stolen. On a Black, on Flinders Island, being asked, if he would like to have some potatoes to plant, he replied, No, with disdain, supposing it was meant to
