But notwithstanding the goodness of the soil it is a matter of astonishment how the natives, who know not how to avail themselves of its fertility, can subsist in the inland country.
On the coast fish makes a considerable part of their food, but where that cannot be had, it seems hardly possible that with their spears, the only missile weapon yet observed among them, they should be able to procure any kind of animal food.

With the assistance of their guns the English gentlemen could not obtain, in the last six days they were out, more than was barely sufficient for two meals.

Yet, that these parts are frequented by the natives was undeniably proved by the temporary huts which were seen in several places.

Near one of these huts the bones of a kanguroo were found, and several trees were seen on fire.

A piece of a root resembling that of the fern tree was also picked up by Governor Phillip; part of this root had been chewed, and so recently that it was thought it could not have been left many minutes.