The Contents Of The Following Chapters Could Not, I Conceive,
Be So Properly Interwoven In The Body Of The Work;
I have, therefore,
assigned them a place by themselves, with a view that the conclusions adopted
in them may be
More strongly enforced on the minds of those, to whom they are
more particularly addressed.
CHAPTER XV.
The Face of the Country; its Productions, Climate, &c.
To the geographical knowledge of this country, supplied by Captain Cook,
and Captain Furneaux, we are able to add nothing. The latter explored
the coast from Van Diemen's land to the latitude of 39 deg south; and Cook from
Point Hicks, which lies in 37 deg 58 min, to Endeavour Streights.
The intermediate space between the end of Furneaux's discovery and Point Hicks,
is, therefore, the only part of the south-east coast unknown, and it
so happened on our passage thither, owing to the weather, which forbade
any part of the ships engaging with the shore, that we are unable to pronounce
whether, or not, a streight intersects the continent hereabouts: though I beg
leave to say, that I have been informed by a naval friend, that when the fleet
was off this part of the coast, a strong set-off shore was plainly felt.
At the distance of 60 miles inland, a prodigious chain of lofty mountains
runs nearly in a north and south direction, further than the eye can
trace them. Should nothing intervene to prevent it, the Governor intends,
shortly, to explore their summits:
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