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[Page 3]
to an Island call'd Ash Island, which takes its name from a very excellent wood, similar in quality to ash and grows as large. This is not the only good Timber that is found here. -- There is a species that resembles Box which grows to a large Tree. Here I enlarged my collection of plants, many of them quite new and beautiful. -- The leaf of one of the Tree stings much worse than the Roman Nettle. The circumference of this Island is about six miles.
18th
Employ'd in arranging my collection.
19th
Went again to Ash Island, for the purpose of pointing out to the Sawyers the proper wood for cutting down. Saw some natives at a distance, but could not get near them -- nor have we yet had any communication with the inhabitants of this neighbourhood.
Accompanied by Mr Harris went up Mangrove Creek. After rowing about four miles there was so little water that we were obliged to drag the boat over the flats, as soon as we got over found the tide sitting the contrary way, and perceived an opening into the main arm, where our vessel was at anchor -- opposite to the South end of Ash Island, and at the entrance of what we suppose to be the principle River, which we traced about nine miles -- found the water rather fresh -- and the country hilly, interspersed with high trees, mostly of the Blue Gum.
Went to Coal Island to examine the strata of Coal, while