from whence it came, with a full determination not to disturb the insects but to watch their pursuits, I observed that it was passing of a syrup-like consistence per anum from the cicadae.  As it ran down the smooth branches of the gumtree and over the leaves it gradually congealed, and formed a white efflorescence.  Whilst ejecting this fluid, the insect raised the lower part of the abdomen and passed off three or four drops in sudden jets, which either streamed down the stem, or fell on the leaves or ground.

I watched them for nearly half an hour, and in that space of time observed between twenty and thirty distil this fluid, which gradually concreted into a white substance.  I collected above three ounces, some of which I still have in my possession.  The natives gather it in their rush baskets and use it as a part of their food.)

RED BLUFF.

Leaving Hobson’s Bay we passed along the east shore of Port Phillip in search of a ledge of rocks, reported to lie about three miles off Red Bluff, which is eight miles to the southward of the above-mentioned bay.  We, however, found this danger to be nothing more than the extreme of the reef fronting that bluff for a distance of half a mile, in a West by North direction, and which has three feet on it at low-water, with three fathoms just outside.  As the soundings gradually decrease to this depth, the lead will always keep a ship clear of it.

Anchoring under Arthur’s Seat, I delivered the letters with which Mr. Powlett, Commissioner of Crown Lands at Melbourne, had kindly furnished me, to the different settlers in the neighbourhood, requesting them to afford me every assistance in my contemplated visit to Cape Shanck, for the purpose of determining its position.

DR. BARKER.

One of them was addressed to a gentleman residing close to the Cape, Dr. Barker, to whom it was forwarded, and who returned with the messenger to welcome me to his station, and in the most liberal manner placed at my disposal, his horses and his services.

ARTHUR’S SEAT.

Early the following morning, a well mounted party of us started for Arthur’s Seat.  I wished to get a few angles from its summit, and to show to Captain Bunbury, R.N., Superintendent of Water Police at Melbourne, the banks at the eastern entrance of the South Channel.  Dr. Barker had brought his dogs over with him, to show us some sport on our way to Cape Shanck.  They formed quite a pack; and among them were two bloodhounds of a celebrated Duke’s breed at home.  Their deep rich notes as they wound round the foot of Arthur’s Seat, after a kangaroo, were quite cheering to the heart; but the ground was too hilly for the fast dogs, and too dry for the scent to lie.

I was disappointed in not seeing Port Western from Arthur’s Seat, which had one of those unsatisfactory woody summits, of which it is difficult exactly to ascertain the highest part.  We passed a spring of water near the south-eastern foot, and in a level beyond were some large lagoons.