Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page]
rare subjects has, therefore, after many trials been necessarily relinquished as impracticable.
I have had but little better success in my excursions by water.
Governor Hunter informs me that he has communicated to you the result of some of them and more particularly of one in a whale-boat made in the latter end of 1797 and the beginning of 1798 when, during an absence of three months, I discovered in latitude 39º So. a strait which divides Van Diemens Land from New South Wales.
In the course of this expedition I collected at different times some few new subjects, both animals and plants; but they were from time to time destroyed by rain or by the seas which in bad weather the boat was constantly shipping; so that some remained upon my arrival at Port Jackson.
In the latter end of the year 1798 Governor Hunter being desirous that the strait I had discovered should be further explored and surveyed found a volunteer for this service in Lieutt M. Flinders of the Reliance. Him I accompanied to renew my researches after the soils and natural productions of the places we might find it convenient to anchor in. A sloop of 20 tons burthen was fitted for the purpose. We passed through the strait and returned by the South Cape of New Holland.
In this voyage of fourteen weeks I collected those