Discoveries in Australia, Volume 2: Discoveries in Australia; with an Account of the Coasts and Rivers; Explored and Surveyed During the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, in The; Years 1837-38-39-40-41-42-43. By Command of the Lords Commissioners; Of the Admiralty. Also a Narrative of Captain Owen Stanley's Visits; To the Islands in the Arafura SeaStokes, John Lort
History
Discoveries in Australia, Volume 2: Discoveries in Australia; with an Account of the Coasts and Rivers; Explored and Surveyed During the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, in The; Years 1837-38-39-40-41-42-43. By Command of the Lords Commissioners; Of the Admiralty. Also a Narrative of Captain Owen Stanley's Visits; To the Islands in the Arafura Sea
Stokes, John Lort
Australia -- Description and travel; Australia -- Discovery and exploration; Natural history -- Australia
The view was very extensive, a wide inlet separating the range we stood
on from other high land trending southward, with great irregularity, from
the base of which stretched out a long plain, similar to that which lay
at our feet. The latter was intersected by creeks that could be traced by
the mangrove fringe which marked their course. Many parts of the low
lands were covered with a salt incrustation, and here and there were
scattered trees deposited by the overflows of the water, that still
appeared to flow from the southward. The sight of this driftwood and many
minor appearances, was indeed most welcome, and added full confirmation
to the opinion that we were now within the mouth of a large river.
To the South-West, and distant thirteen miles, were two large islands,
which from the remarkable shape of two patches of trees on their northern
ends, we named Quoin and Clump Islands. A small patch of low land was
discovered beyond them, between which and Quoin Island appeared the
proper channel. That, however, lying between the islands seemed
sufficiently large for the ship. Being moreover within our immediate
reach, it was determined that we should proceed by it.
MACADAM RANGE.
A remarkable change here occurred in the character of the country, the
hills being now composed of a white, and very compact kind of sandstone.
In the cliffs the strata were very marked, dipping to the South-East at
an angle of about thirty degrees with the horizon. The base and sides of
these heights were thickly strewn with small fragments of sandstone. The
appearance presented was precisely similar to that of a new road, after
it had undergone the improving process invented by Mr. McAdam, in whose
honour, therefore, we named this McAdam Range.
A large light-coloured kangaroo was the only living thing we saw. A short
green-looking grass was thinly sprinkled over the country, imparting a
freshness to it, which, in contrast with the aridity that had of late
surrounded us, was quite delightful.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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