This latter however is the most southern river in which I have remarked it, and it certainly is an evidence of the existence of timber of a much lighter description than has hitherto been known in this part of the continent.
MOUTHS OF THE GASCOYNE.
The southern mouth of the Gascoyne is however completely free from shoals, and has seven feet water on the bar at low tide.

There is also a channel in it which has never less than this depth of water for about four miles from its mouth, after which it is only navigable for small boats in the dry season, and that merely for a short distance.
The greatest difficulty which presents itself in entering the southern mouth arises from what in America are termed snags, that is, large trees, the roots of which are firmly planted in the bed of the river, whilst the branches project up the stream, and are likely to pierce any boat in its passage down.

These snags are however more to be feared at the time of high-water than at any other period, for they have generally become fixed upon shoals as they originally descended the river, and at low water can easily be seen.
The northern mouth of the Gascoyne is more difficult of entrance than its southern one, being narrower and more shoal.

I still however think that at high water it could be entered by small craft; but as my examination of it was hurried and imperfect from our being pressed for provisions at the time I was there, the opinion I have given above must be received with caution.
Our visit to this river took place at the close of a season which had been preceded by the driest one known since the occupation of the western coasts by Europeans.

There was consequently but little fresh water in the bed of the river, and this only in small pools; but the breadth of its main channel (for it sometimes had several) was where I measured it upwards of three hundred yards, and this measurement was made in a part which was by no means the widest.
THE COUNTRY ADJACENT.
The bed of the river was composed of fine white sand.