The stream set North-East and North-West from half to one knot, changing to the latter direction two and a half hours after high-water.  Our observations place Escape Cliffs (too remarkable and conspicuous to be overlooked, and which ships should anchor abreast of) in latitude 12 degrees 8 1/2 minutes South and longitude 0 degrees 15 minutes West of Port Essington.  The variation of the compass was 2 degrees easterly.  I was able at this anchorage, by a bearing of a distant point, to ascertain the local attraction in the ship, which in no instance exceeded 1 degree, being the amount we had found at Plymouth, previous to our departure from England.  Our deeply interesting researches on the south side of Clarence Strait, leading to so important a discovery, were now concluded.

EXAMINE MELVILLE ISLAND.

The success which had rewarded our efforts, made us wish to cling to the spot, and it was therefore almost with regret that we found ourselves leaving to examine the southern shores of Melville Island, where we anchored two miles from the beach, and fifteen within the west entrance of the strait.  A quarter of a mile off the sandy flat, extending some distance from the shore, there was one fathom of water, being a very gradual decrease from six where the ship lay.

The necessary angles and bearings for the survey, were taken from the top of some cliffs sixty feet high, composed of a red sand and ironstone, and a white kind of marl or pipe clay.  The shore trended nearly South-West and North-East.  Six miles in the former direction is an inlet which Mr. Fitzmaurice has visited from the Vernon Isles, and another much smaller, about a third of the intervening distance from where we stood.  The high land which was almost level, lay about three miles in our rear, following the trend of the shore.  Two peaks rising in hollows on it attained an elevation of 260 and 290 feet.  There were no rocky points visible at low-water—­a clean sandy beach, which appeared, strange to say, to have been washed occasionally by a heavy surf, forming the coastline.  A singular clump of Casuarina was close to the westward of the cliffs, and its dark naked aspect contrasted with the stunted gumtrees and scattered palms, sparingly sprinkled over this sterile tract of country.  With the exception of a few seabirds, there was nothing living stirring to change the opinion we have just expressed of this part of Melville Island.  Our visit, however, was not to be forgotten in an instant, although no very pleasing recollections were connected with it.

GREEN ANTS.

Whilst taking a few angles near the cliffs, we suddenly experienced a series of severe bites or nippings in several parts of our body, and looking round to discover whence arose this unexpected attack, found ourselves under a tree covered with large green ants.  Their bites were exceedingly painful, and it was only by beating and tearing off our clothes that we could rid ourselves of these unwelcome visitors.  From