but their fires were seen at a distance, and several of their miserable
huts were examined. Not the least mark of canoe or boat was seen, and it
was generally thought they had none; "being altogether, from what we
could judge, a very ignorant and wretched set of people; though natives
of a country capable of producing every necessary of life, and a climate
the finest in the world. We found not the least sign of any minerals or
metals."

After remaining five days in Adventure Bay, captain Furneaux sailed along
the coast to the northward, in order to discover whether Van Diemen's
Land were joined to New South Wales. He passed the Maria's, Schouten's,
and Vanderlin's Islands of Tasman, at some distance; and then, closing
more in with the coast, he found the land to be low and even, and of an
agreeable aspect, "but no signs of a harbour or bay, where a ship might
anchor in safety." In latitude 40° 50', the coast, from running nearly
north, turned to the westward., and, as captain Furneaux thought, formed
a deep bay. From thence to 39° 50', is nothing but islands and shoals;
the "land high, rocky, and barren." In the course northward, past these
islands, he had regular soundings, from 15 to 30 fathoms, though no land
was visible; it was, however, seen again (or thought to be so) in
latitude 39°, and nearly due north from the islands. The bottom then
becoming uneven, our navigator discontinued his course, and steered for
New Zealand.

Whether Van Diemen's Land were, or were not, joined to New South Wales,
was a question not yet resolved; but captain Furneaux gave it as his
opinion, "that there is no strait between New Holland and Van Diemen's
Land, but a very deep bay."

COOK. 1777.