two peaks and a flat-topped piece of land, seemingly not many leagues from the shore.  The southernmost of the two peaks is the most elevated, and appears to be the high round mountain seen by Tasman on Dec 4 and 5, 1642; I have, therefore, called it Tasman’s Peak.  It is the northernmost part seen by him on this side of Van Diemen’s Land, as Mount Heemskerk was on the west coast:  the flat-topped mountain is that which colonel Paterson afterwards named Benlomen.  To the southward, the land was visible at a great distance; and if Schouten’s Island and the cape of the peninsula near it can possibly be seen so far as twenty leagues from the deck, it must have been them.  My observation and bearings at this time were as follow: 

Latitude observed, 41 deg. 271/2’ S.
South extreme of the coast, S. 18 W.
Another piece of land, like an island, S. 23 W.
Tasman’s Peak, S. 63 W.
Northern extremity of the land, N. 32 W.

It was to me a subject of regret, that the wind did not allow of keeping close in with this east coast, since captain Furneauxs examination was made at too great a distance to be exact; but my limited time of absence being expired, and provisions nearly out, nothing more could be attempted than what might be done in the way to Port Jackson.

(Atlas, Plate VI.)

Jan. 6, in latitude 40 deg. 451/2’ no land was in sight; but on the 7th, when in 40 deg. 243/4’, the high land of Cape Barren was visible through a thick haze, bearing S. 76 deg.  W. five or six miles.  The wind being then nearly at east, we steered to pass between Cape Barren and the great northern island, intending to explore the west side of the latter in our way.  At five o’clock breakers were seen two miles to the north, though no bottom could be found at 17 fathoms; at six, however, we fell suddenly into 3 fathoms; but hoping to find a sufficient depth for the sloop round the island which lies in the opening, stood on till the soundings diminished to nine feet, and breakers were seen all round ahead, from beam to beam.  It was then near sun-set, and the breeze right aft; but whilst I was considering what could be done for our safety, the wind shifted suddenly, as if by an act of Providence, to the opposite quarter, and enabled us to steer back, out of this dangerous place, with all sail.  At nine o’clock the wind returned to the south-eastward, having just lasted long enough to take us out of danger; at eleven we had 20 fathoms; and in two hours more steered N. by W., for the Babel Isles, with a fresh and fair wind.

Jan 8, at six o’clock, Mr. Bass went on shore to the small, south~ eastern islet; whence he brought a boat load of seals and gannets.  Besides these, the islet is inhabited by geese, shags, penguins, gulls, and sooty petrels; each occupying its separate district, and using its own language.  It was the confusion of noises amongst these various animals which induced me to give the name of Babel Isles to this small cluster.