42” south, and the east side of Connexion Island bore S. 91/2 deg.  W. six or seven miles; the difference of longitude from our situation on the 5th at three p.m., was hence ascertained to be it 1’ 55” east, not differing 5” from what was given by No. 543, but No. 520 showed 61/2’ too much; the differences of longitude by the former time keeper alone have therefore been used round Groote Eylandt.

I went immediately, with the botanical gentlemen, to the northern and largest of the two sandy isles; and after observing the latitude 13 deg. 42’ 17” on the south-west point, ascended the highest hillock, which, from the clump of trees upon it, was called Pandanus Hill.  Some of the trees being cut down, I had a tolerably extensive view of points and islands before passed; and saw more to the north-westward, behind Wedge Rock, all of which the Dutch chart represents as parts of the main land.  One of these I have called Burney’s Island, in compliment to captain James Burney of the navy, and another Nicol’s Island, after His Majesty’s bookseller, the publisher of this work.  Beyond these was a more extensive land, which also proved to be an island; and its form having some resemblance to the whaddie or woodah, or wooden sword used by the natives of Port Jackson, it was named Isle Woodah.  A low sandy island, lying four or five miles N. by.  E. from my station, seems to be the northernmost of the three isles laid down between Groote Eylandt and the main; but it is placed, as are also the neighbouring lands, half a degree too far north:  Connexion Island, taking it to be the southernmost of the three, is well fixed in latitude.

Amongst the many bearings taken at the top of Pandanus Hill, those which follow were the most important to the survey.

North-point Islet, outer extreme N. 73 deg. 15’ E.
Chasm Island, N. 74 deg. 15’ to N. 78 25 E.
Groote Eylandt, central hill, S. 44 30 E.
Groote Eylandt, north-west extreme, S. 9 0 E.
The ship distant 13/4 miles, S. 7 45 E.
Connexion Island, S. 8 0 to S. 22 30 W.
Bickerton’s Island, S. 43 40 to N. 75 45 W.
Isle Woodah, N. 60 30 to N. 38 15 W.
Wedge Rock, steep north-east end, N. 30 45 W.
Nicol’s I., steep east end, N. 26 5 W.

There was very little wood upon the two sandy isles, nor did they furnish any thing new to the botanists; but they were partly covered with long grass amongst which harboured several bustards, and I called them Bustard Isles.  The basis of the largest is nearly the same mixture of sand-stone and quartz, as at North-west Bay; broken coral and sand formed the beaches; and some fresh turtle tracks being there perceived, and the appearance of the weather being unfavourable, it induced me to remain at anchor all night; but only one turtle was procured.