74 A DISASTROUS EXPEDITION.

them; and he was equally successful with tho
savages of New Holland and Van Dicmen’s Land.

On leaving Timor, the expedition sailed for the
Bass Straits and the south coast of New Ifolland.
Here they suffered extremely; and when they
reached Port Jackson, their condition, from priva-
tion and disease, was such that only four of the
crew could perform duty; so that, had they been
detained a few days longer at sea, they must all
have perished.

After a sufficient period of rest at Port Jackson,
a second voyage, no less hazardous than the first,
was undertaken. The Geographé proceeded to
examine the islands of Bass Straits, and to explore
the coast of New Holland. During this expedition,
Peron especially displayed remarkable courage and
activity. Of the five zoologists who had been
appointed by Government, two having remained
at the Isle of France and two having died in the
course of the second voyage, on him alone devolved
the performance of the duty; and he proved himself
equal to all, regardless of the privations to which
he was exposed. Shortly after their departure
from Timor, the captain having refused the spirits
which were necessary for the preservation of the
mollusca that were collected, he appropriated the
whole of his personal allowance to this purpose,
and, what was still more remarkable, he communi-