In our ascent we passed through several deep gullies which bore the marks of having once yielded abundance of water but were now quite dried up.
September 20.
The next day Mr.Cunningham accompanied me on an excursion round Adolphus Island, taking from the anchorage an easterly direction; and passing to the north of the two mangrove islands.

On the eastern side of Adolphus Island we landed on one of two rocky islets, and took some bearings from its summit.

It is composed of loose blocks of decomposed sandstone.

On the summit we observed a large hawk's nest but it was deserted by its constructor.

The only plants that were found upon this rock were a prickly capparis and a leafless ficus, the latter bearing clusters of small, whitish, globular fruit: these plants, with a small hibiscus, were the chief productions of the rock; and have probably been produced from seeds deposited there by birds.
On leaving these rocks I hoped to have reached in time some part of the north-east shore of Adolphus Island where I could observe the sun's meridional altitude on the sea horizon; but we were detained in the arm by strong ripplings and a fresh sea-breeze until it was too late.