While crossing the Island we saw plenty of parrots and wild pigeons, and black swans on the lagoons.
PRODUCTIONS.
With the exception of salt, the timber appears the principal production we have observed of this place.
The trees are the same as at New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land; some run exceedingly high and large in circumference, and may be converted into every domestic purpose as well as maritime; as many may be found and selected for ship's spars and other purposes of ship-building. Twenty years ago an American ship was cast away on the coast, and the crew built a schooner in Lagoon Bay, which enabled them to get away, after a residence of several months on the Island. Salt is produced here in abundance; I should say between two and three hundred tons could be collected from the lagoon with a little attention; the distance to the beach is about three-quarters of a mile, and from the beach to where ships anchor about four miles. This lagoon ia a perfect circle of about three miles in circumference.
The prospect about this lagoon is very pleasant. Close to the salt-water lake is another of fresh, but considerably smaller. It was at this spot our people erected their tents while collecting the salt. Pigeons and kangaroos make their appearance here regularly morning and evening for water, so that we were well supplied with fresh provisions for very little trouble.
My attention was next directed to the lime-stone of the Island,—in several places I found it plentiful, but not general over the country. Free-stone and granite are also in large quantities, so that people emigrating to this country would find every necessary as in Europe and both the other Colonies. I make no doubt but seme more valuable productions might be found on examination and enquiry— my time and attention were of course mora particularly devoted to the object, of my voyage.
