The land over it rises to an elevation of nearly 200 feet, and then again becomes low and sandy, opening out a bay, which from appearance promised, and wherein we afterwards found, good anchorage:  it was named Beagle Bay, and may serve hereafter to remind the seamen who benefit by the survey in which that vessel bore so conspicuous a part, of the amount of his obligations to the Government that sent her forth, the skill and energy that directed her course, and the patient discipline by which, during her long period of active service, so much was done for the extension of our maritime knowledge.  In the bight formed between this bay and Cape Baskerville we passed two high-water inlets; the mouths of both were fronted with rocky ledges.  We anchored here, soon after midday, and had every reason to be satisfied with our berth.  Beagle Bay is about three miles broad and seven deep; the country around is low and open, and traces of water deposit were visible in several spots to indicate its dangerous proximity to the sea.  The smaller shrubs of the country were common; and the mangroves flourished in great abundance on the beach, and along the little creeks that diverge from it.  Some large anthills, and very small palm trees, not six feet in height, were noticed for the first time so far south.  During the night the wind veered round to South-West, and blew quite fresh, a circumstance which made us additionally prize our good anchorage here.  We had, however, no squall, nor any dew, which I should mention falls most copiously upon certain nights, without any apparent indication; to these dews, the vegetation of this country, so far as we can judge, seems to owe its principal nourishment and support.

VISITED BY NATIVES.

January 25.

The forenoon was devoted to the examination of this excellent anchorage, and a party was also despatched to haul the seine.  On landing they were met by a party of natives, who saluted them in a manner which strikingly resembled the eastern mode.  They had no weapon, save one kiley or boomerang, and bowed down until they almost kissed the water.

CONDUCT OF MIAGO.

Their speech was shrill and quick, perfectly unintelligible to our friend Miago, who seemed greatly in fear of them:  they seemed astonished to find one apparently of their own clime, complexion, and degree in company with the white strangers, who must have seemed to them a different race of beings; nor was their wonder at all abated when Miago threw open his shirt, and showed them his breast curiously scarred after their fashion—­for this custom of cutting stripes upon the body, as other savages tattoo it, by way of ornament, seems universally to prevail throughout Australia—­as a convincing evidence that he, though now the associate of the white man, belonged to the same country as themselves.  When Miago had, in some degree, recovered from his alarm—­and their want of all weapons no doubt tended to reassure