The heat of the weather, at this time, was extremely oppressive, and the thermometer was seldom under 100 degrees of Fahr. at noon.  The wind, too, we observed, seldom remained stationary for any length of time, but made its regular changes every twenty-four hours.  In the morning, it invariably blew from the N.E., at noon it shifted to N.W., and as the sun set it flew round to the eastward of south.  A few dense clouds passed over us occasionally, but no rain fell from them.

Diseases of the natives.

Our intercourse with the natives had now been constant.  We had found the interior more populous than we had any reason to expect; yet as we advanced into it, the population appeared to increase.  It was impossible for us to judge of the disposition of the natives during the short interviews we generally had with them, and our motions were so rapid that we did not give them time to form any concerted plan of attack, had they been inclined to attack us.  They did not, however, show any disposition to hostility, but, considering all things, were quiet and orderly, nor did any instances of theft occur, or, at least, none fell under my notice.  The most loathsome of diseases prevailed throughout the tribes, nor were the youngest infants exempt from them.  Indeed, so young were some, whose condition was truly disgusting, that I cannot but suppose they must have been born in a state of disease; but I am uncertain whether it is fatal or not in its results, though, most probably it hurries many to a premature grave.  How these diseases originated it is impossible to say.  Certainly not from the colony, since the midland tribes alone were infected.  Syphilis raged amongst them with fearful violence; many had lost their noses, and all the glandular parts were considerably affected.  I distributed some Turner’s cerate to the women, but left Fraser to superintend its application.  It could do no good, of course, but it convinced the natives we intended well towards them, and, on that account, it was politic to give it, setting aside any humane feeling.

Populous district.

The country through which we passed on the 28th, was extremely low, full of lagoons, and thickly inhabited.  No change took place in the river, or in the nature and construction of its banks.  We succeeded in getting a view of the hills we had noticed when with the last tribe, and found that they bore from us due north, N. 22 E., and S. 130 W. They looked bare and perpendicular, and appeared to be about twenty miles from us.  I am very uncertain as to the character of these hills, but still think that they must have been some of the faces of the bold cliffs that we had frequently passed under.  From the size and number of the huts, and from the great breadth of the foot-paths, we were still further led to conclude that we were passing through a very populous district.  What the actual number of inhabitants was it is impossible