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[Page 3]
I have several specimens of wood by me, some skins of some small sorts of Kangaroos - Birds - & a small box of insects, but I was unable to send them by the Calcutta, Of the things which I now send you I have duplicates by me, nearly of all of them I am glad to hear that the boxes which I sent by the Speedy been received in good condition, for the outer case was a slight one, and the ship on her passage here was leaky in her canisteres but I was not certain whether it was stowed in a good place, as it could not be got down the hatch in the cabbin. I am very glad I sent nothing by way of specimens or seeds in the Porpoise. I was always doubtful of such things going safe by her, as she was very leaky in bad weather in upper works. I have tarred the joints of the inner box according to your desire, but I have not done them to my mind by being in a hurry. Nor is the outer case made to mind, but it was obliged to be made of this country wood, which is likely to warp & open much in the seams. I believe I forgot to tell you my reasons for not approving of those boxes which Gov King had tarred. They were sent to me with the tar swimming in them, with orders bound them down again immediately, and I conjectured the tar might cause a dampness & mould the specimens.
The month of December was so hot in general that I was unable to make any journeys into the country, except near home, for which I refer you to a paper in the box of the heat of the 28th of Augt. Of late I have been out a good deal. I have pretty well ascertained the distance of ground occupied by the Wild Cattle; and by the next ship I mean to give you a sketch of it, which may serve until that part of the country is surveyed. In going this journey I fell in with some natives who had never seen white men before. I should not have seen them had not I met with a native who knew me, & gave me the hint, & he conducted me to the place where they were along with some others, who also knew me. On his shouting to his party they came running in a hurry towards him, & the strangers along with them, & were close upon me before they perceived me. They seemed to be quite of a different race to those that I am acquainted with not only by their features, but in size; their hair was black & in height they were about