In all the country hitherto explored, the parties have seldom gone a quarter of a mile without seeing trees which had been on fire.  As violent thunder storms are not uncommon on this coast, it is possible that they may have been burnt by lightning, which the gum-tree is thought particularly to attract; but it is probable also that they may have been set on fire by the natives.  The gum-tree is highly combustible, and it is a common practice with them to kindle their fires at the root of one of these trees.  When they quit a place they never extinguish the fire they have made, but leave it to burn out, or to communicate its flames to the tree, as accidental circumstances may determine.

Governor Phillip, on his return from this excursion, had the mortification to find that five ewes and a lamb had been killed very near the camp, and in the middle of the day.  How this had happened was not known, but it was conjectured that they must have been killed by dogs belonging to the natives.  The loss of any part of the stock of cattle was a serious misfortune, since it must be a considerable time before it could be replaced.  Fish affords, in this place, only an uncertain resource:  on some days great quantities are caught, though not sufficient to save any material part of the provisions; but at times it is very scarce.  An account of the live stock at this time in the settlement is subjoined to this chapter.

The three transports bound to China, sailed the 5th, 6th, and 8th of May; and the Supply having been caulked, sailed on the 6th to Lord Howe Island for turtle, in hopes of giving some check to the scurvy, with which the people were still so much affected that near two hundred were incapable of work.

From the great labour which attended the clearing of the ground it proved to be impracticable to sow at present more than eight or ten acres with wheat and barley*:  and it was apprehended that even this crop would suffer from the depredations of ants and field mice.  In the beginning of May it was supposed, as it had been once or twice before, that the rainy season was set in; but in about a week the weather became fine again.

[* Besides what was sown by the Lieutenant Governor and other individuals, for the support of their own stock:  to assist whom, the labour of the convicts was occasionally lent.]

AN ACCOUNT OF THE LIVE STOCK IN THE SETTLEMENT AT PORT JACKSON, MAY 1ST, 1788.

Government

Stallions 1
Mares 2
Bulls 2
Cows 2
Sheep: 
Ram 1
Ewes 12
Wethers 3
Goats 1
Hogs: 
Boar 1
Sows 19

Governor

Mares 1
Colts 3
Cows 2
Sheep: 
Ewe 1
Lamb 1
Hogs 10
Rabbits 3
Turkies 5
Geese 8
Ducks 17
Fowls 22

Lieutenant Governor

Goats 1
Hogs 1
Pigs 7
Turkies 5
Geese 6
Ducks 4
Fowls 9