Our whole residence in this country had been marked by toils and sufferings.  Heat, wounds, hunger, thirst, and many other things had combined to harass us.  Under these circumstances it might have been imagined that we left these shores without a single regret; but such was far from being the case:  when the ponies had wandered off, when all the remaining stores had been removed, and the only marks of our residence in this valley were a few shattered bark huts, young coconut plants, a bread-fruit, and some other useful trees and plants, I felt very loth to leave the spot.  I considered what a blessing to the country these plants must eventually prove if they should continue to thrive as they had yet done and, as I called to mind how much forethought and care their transport to their present position had occasioned, I would very gladly have passed a year or two of my life in watching over them and seeing them attain to a useful maturity.  One large pumpkin plant in particular claimed my notice.  The tropical warmth and rains, and the virgin soil in which it grew, had imparted to it a rich luxuriance:  it did not creep along the ground, but its long shoots were spreading upwards amongst the trees.  The young coconuts grew humbly amidst the wild plants and reeds, their worth unknown.  Most of these plants I had placed in the ground myself, and had watched their early progress:  now they must be left to their fate.

REEMBARKATION.

Amidst such thoughts we resumed our course down the valley and embarked in the boats; but had not proceeded far when a dog belonging to one of the men was missed and, as we could not abandon so faithful a companion, a party returned to search for it, and the dog was brought safely on board.

SAIL FOR THE MAURITIUS.

We then weighed and sailed for the Isle of France, where we arrived on the 17th May without having met with any circumstance on our voyage worthy of record.

CHAPTER 11.  NATURAL HISTORY.  CLIMATE.  ABORIGINES.

NATURAL HISTORY.

North-Western Australia seems to be peculiarly prolific in birds, reptiles, and insects, who dwell here nearly unmolested, mutually preying upon each other, and thus, by a wise provision, setting the necessary check to their own multiplication.

DISTRIBUTION OF ANIMALS.

Of quadrupeds there are but few species, and of these the individuals, considered in proportion to the surface they roam over, are rare.  The only species I observed during a residence of five months were four of kangaroos, namely the large Macropus giganteus ? of Shaw, two smaller kinds, one of which is the Petrogale brachyotis of Gould, and a kangaroo rat, which last is always seen amongst the rocks on the sea coast.  One species of opossum, a flying squirrel (Petaurista) two kinds of dog, of which one is new, rats, and a fieldmouse.  Of these the kangaroos are alone numerous, and only in particular spots.