The day was overpoweringly hot, and the lake looked clear and blue: I hurried down the cindery slope, and, choked with dust, eagerly tasted the water--but, to my sorrow, I found it salt as brine.
The rocks on the coast abounded with great black lizards, between three and four feet long; and on the hills, an ugly yellowish-brown species was equally common.

We saw many of this latter kind, some clumsily running out of the way, and others shuffling into their burrows.

I shall presently describe in more detail the habits of both these reptiles.

The whole of this northern part of Albemarle Island is miserably sterile.
OCTOBER 8, 1835.
We arrived at James Island: this island, as well as Charles Island, were long since thus named after our kings of the Stuart line.

Mr.
Bynoe, myself, and our servants were left here for a week, with provisions and a tent, whilst the "Beagle" went for water.