CHAPTER XXI._Wanderings in New South Wales, Batavia, Pedir Coast, Singapore, and China, Vol. 1 (of 2)

Country about Pedir—“White Lions”—The rajah’s habits—A

decision—Ornaments for the ear—Female curiosity—The rajah’s

horses—War between the rajah of Acheen and the rajah of

Trumong—A native’s account of the quarrel—Purchase of

betel-nut—The Areka-nut—Trade in that article—Anecdote—A

Chittagong brig—Dried fish—Beautiful appearance of the Golden

Mountain—Assemblage of the mountains—Tornados—The fire

king and his demons—Yamora—Burial-ground—Large tree—Small

crabs—Game called Mein Achu—Leprosy—Party of natives—The

Viverra musanga—Applications for medicine—Rajah of Putu—His

retinue—Object of his visit.

The country about Pedir, as far as I had an opportunity of seeing it, was

very picturesque, abounding in a luxuriant, natural vegetation, as well

as in a state of cultivation. The native habitations are almost hidden by

cocoa-nut, plantain, areka, eju, jack, and other trees; fragrant odours

were exhaled from the multitude of flowers which strewed the surface of

the ground; and a variety of profuse vegetation was spread over the

face of nature. The soil is rich, and the numerous vegetables (among

which the purple and white yams are abundant) planted in the gardens of

the natives, are most prolific.[152] The habitations, as I have before

noticed, are raised upon posts, which I should suppose, in these marshy

situations, are intended to guard against the miasmata which must rise

from the surface of the ground after the rains, and to the influence of

which the inhabitants would be much exposed, if their dwellings were not

placed on an elevated site. The plain is beautiful, and the back-ground

of the landscape is terminated by mountains, varying in elevation, and

extending in a direction principally from east to west;[153] sometimes

covered by fleecy clouds, and at others, glowing in the varying and

beautiful tints of a setting sun, which cast its expiring rays, undimmed

by a cloud, over the towering masses.

After walking in the vicinity of the village,—for our guides evinced no

desire of taking us further inland,—we were desired to enter a house to

rest ourselves: by an invitation to enter, is only meant being seated in

the verandah; for we did not, or rather were not permitted to, intrude

ourselves into any other parts of the dwelling. At this place cocoa-nut

water was again offered as a refreshment. We requested to be taken

further in the interior of the country; but, although a refusal was never

given, yet we found we were invariably taken, by other paths, back to

the place from whence we came. We became at last, from this and other

circumstances, convinced that our Moor friends were fearful of exposing

themselves to the krisses of the “Hill people,” from whom they appear to

have conquered some portion of the country, establishing themselves as

traders.

We returned after a short ramble, and were conducted into the bazaar, and

seated with a semicircle of the natives before us, all staring quietly

and decorously at the “_white lions_.” From this place we adjourned to

the fort, near the rajah’s residence, where we waited for the appearance

of his highness, who had not yet risen from his couch. The old minister

gave us some account of the rajah’s habits; one of which was, that

he lies in bed until three P.M., except when there is any particular

business, such as the arrival of a ship, to induce him to rise earlier;

and he does not retire to rest until three A.M., after smoking a pipe

of opium. The old gentleman must have been guilty of an exaggeration,

when he stated that the rajah would smoke a ball of opium in four days.

His highness is only eighteen years of age, and has not at present the

appearance of an opium smoker: it must have been the quantity consumed by

the rajah and his numerous followers that was meant, the whole of which

was placed to the rajah’s account. Pipes of opium were offered to us to

regale ourselves, but of course were refused.[154]

After some delay, the rajah came to visit us, having just risen from

his couch, unwashed, and attired in unclean garments. He shook hands,

in the European manner, with the party; and then, having but little to

say, from want of some other employment, he amused himself with my insect

boxes, and the insects placed in them transfixed by pins: this led to an

explanation of my professional pursuits, and its collateral branches; but

as the subject was rather beyond his comprehension, he became attracted

from it to a cloth cap worn by one of the party, about which there

was much discussion, the result of which was, that the rajah and his

followers came to the important decision, that it would make a very good

pocket or case for containing betel-nut, and the accompanying articles

required to be used with it. Being heartily tired, we were happy to

escape from the royal presence; and the boat being ready, we returned on

board.

All the women had the lobes of the ears enormously distended, from

wearing, when very young, round pieces of wood, polished and ornamented,

or rolls of leaves in them: the richer classes wear large ornaments of

gold and silver: the old women have the lobes hanging down to a great

length, but without ornament; that they formerly had placed them in the

lobes was evident by the distended orifices, which, having lost their

elasticity, prevented their retention as before. The poorer classes are

content with neatly polished and ornamented round pieces of wood, or a

roll of the plantain or some other kind of leaf, as a substitute for

those of gold and silver worn by the higher and richer classes. The lower

class of females were usually attired in cotton cloth _sarongs_, and

the _cabaya_, passing over the head, of a black colour, or other dark

patterns. As we passed their dwellings, they came forth, with the usual

feminine curiosity, to view the strangers: indeed, we appeared to be as

much objects of curiosity among them, as I had before been when landing

upon many of the unfrequented islands of the Polynesian Archipelago; and

the natives, that arrived in the boats with Areka-nut, from the villages

on the coast, seemed to regard us as wonders, and surrounded the entrance

of the poop-cuddy at meal-times, as if to satisfy themselves how such

animals fed.

We had an offer of some of the rajah’s horses to ride about the village:

at first it was thought that some dun cows, with horns cut off close to

the head, and a preternatural erection of the ears, were the animals

offered; but it appears they were real ponies: if we had ridden them,

however, it must have been without any saddle or bridle, for there were

no articles of that description to be procured at Pedir.

The barque at present at anchor in Pedir roads, under the Acheenese flag,

was captured from the rajah of Trumong, on the west coast of Sumatra, by

the man-of-war grab belonging to the rajah of Acheen: the cause of it was

this:—the Trumong rajah is tributary to the king, or rajah, of Acheen:

he had not paid tribute for three years; and on its being demanded, the

Trumong rajah returned for answer, that he intended paying it with

_iron balls_; war was therefore declared against this rebellious rajah,

and the barque was captured by the following stratagem: the commander

of his Acheenese majesty’s grab fell in with the barque at sea, assured

her commander that all differences had been adjusted between the two

rajahs, and requested him to come on board. The captain of the barque

unsuspectingly accepted the invitation, taking presents with him. On

stepping upon the deck of the grab, himself, crew, and presents were

detained, and a boat, with a number of men well armed, sent on board the

barque; and having secured the guns, hauled down the Trumong rajah’s

colours, and hoisted those of his Acheenese majesty, the vessels will

sail, in company, for Acheen in a few days.

A Madras native, who spoke a little English, amused us with his version

of the affair. “I belong, and barque belong, to the rajah of Trumong.

Acheen rajah and my rajah make war; Trumong rajah plenty dollars, and go

buy ships at Pulo Penang, to fight rajah Acheen. Acheen rajah very poor,

one day buy ship, in a month want sell, because very poor—Acheen rajah no

good, no pay Lascars—Trumong rajah, my king, pay well, plenty dollars. My

barque got seven guns and twelve Lascar men. The grab send a boat and

ask ‘whose barque this?’ My captain say, ‘rajah Trumong’s;’ then grab’s

men take prisoners, and say, ‘barque belong now to Acheen rajah;’ so he

pull down colours—our colours before white and black—now Acheen colours

red and white.”

The quantity of betel-nut agreed for (three thousand peculs) was sent on

board; and a further agreement entered into for three thousand peculs

more, to be delivered in a few days after. Opium, at nine hundred dollars

the chest, was taken in part payment: this was a high price, but netted

to the sellers a profit of only ninety-five Java rupees, or forty-seven

dollars; from the large quantity in the market at this place, it was with

the greatest difficulty it could be disposed of even at that price: the

dollars to be given in addition must have been the principal inducement,

for opium had been purchased from the Penang brig, “Calder Bux,” at seven

hundred and seventy dollars the chest; but we afterwards found only one

dollar the pecul, or rather laxar, had been paid by that vessel, which

will account for their giving in barter a higher price for the opium.

On the second agreement being made, the rajah and suite came on board to

ratify it, which, after some disputes and discussions with all parties,

was effected by the supercargo of the ship.

The principal article of exportation from this coast is Areka-nut, and

a small quantity of rice; the latter, however, appeared of an inferior

quality, and one-and-a-half dollar a pecul was demanded as the lowest

price; the vessel would be required to furnish bags for the rice, as

there are none manufactured on the coast, and a delay of the vessel would

be also required to procure it. Areka-nut must, therefore, be regarded as

the principal article of trade, as it is to be purchased cheap, and of

a quality as excellent as in any part of the Eastern islands, or Cochin

China.

The Areka palm is the _Areka catechu_ of botanists; it is a palm of

elegant growth, rising with a very erect and small stem to the height

of forty or even sixty feet, the summit terminating in a tuft of

dark-green foliage; the circumference of the trunk is seldom more than

one-and-a-half to two feet, when of early growth of dark-green, and when

old of a dark-grey colour; the circles formed by the clasping petioles

of the fronds being very visible upon it: the tree bears fruit only

once during the year, at which period the tree, with its long bunches

of orange oval-shaped fruit, pendent from the upper part of the trunk,

contrasted by the dark-green foliage, has a beautiful appearance. The

Areka-nut, when planted, takes three years to arrive at a sufficient

size to produce fruit; the wood of this palm is used at this place for a

variety of purposes.

The fruit grows in long pendulous clusters, each about the size of a

small hen’s egg; the external covering is thick, fibrous, covered by an

orange-coloured epidermis; and on the thick fibrous husk being cleared

away, the nut is discovered surrounded by its own immediate epidermis,

which often proves difficult of removal. The nut is conical, but varies

in some, having an elevated apex and small base, and others a large base

and very slightly elevated apex. One nut is the natural produce of each

fruit, although sometimes double or triple nuts are found, anomalies

often met with in the vegetable kingdom.[155]

Many of the common drinking and baling utensils in the boats are made

from the spathe of the Areka palm; and I have frequently seen a vessel

for holding water made from it, which was not dissimilar to those made

by the Australian natives from the bark of the Eucalypti trees; they use

the flower spathe also for nailing upon the bottoms of their boats.

May, June, and July, are the months for collecting the nuts. They had

loaded nine ships this season; but forty vessels, of all sizes, have been

freighted in one season, for Pinang, &c., from whence it is exported to

China, Madras, and other parts of continental India.

The nuts vary in size; their quality, however, does not at all depend

upon this property, but upon their internal appearance when cut,

intimating the quantity of astringent matter contained in them. If the

white, or medullary portion, which intersects the red or astringent

part be small, has assumed a bluish tinge, and the astringent part is

very red, the nut is considered of good quality; but when the medullary

portion is in large quantity, the nut is considered more mature, and not

possessing so much astringency, is not esteemed so valuable.

The quantity of nut produced on this coast is stated to be eighty

thousand peculs. When there is no immediate demand for this article, it

is not shelled, but preserved in the husk, as it is considered not to

be so liable to be destroyed by the worm in that state; but although

this is the opinion of the natives on the coast, yet I have seen nuts

destroyed totally by the worm while in the husk, in the space of two

months. The produce of the first month, or month-and-a-half, amounting

usually to forty thousand peculs, the natives informed us is exported;

and the second gathering, amounting to about the same quantity, is

consumed in the country. The nuts were brought on board the ship in large

boats, (originally built and employed as fishing vessels, except when

required for this employment, they are from three to four tons burthen

each, and are to be purchased for twenty or twenty-five dollars,) in

bulk, and Manilla mat-bags, and are taken on board the ships in bulk.

The quantity of Areka-nut imported by the Chinese, amounts to forty-five

or forty-eight thousand peculs annually, exclusive of that brought from

Cochin China, the amount of which is not known; in 1832, from a failure

of the usual supply of nuts from Cochin China, forty-eight thousand

peculs, imported from other places, sold so high as four dollars and

three-quarters the pecul; the price it usually fetches in the China

market is from two to three and three-quarter dollars the pecul. The

principal consumption of the nut as a masticatory (in conjunction

with the leaf called betel, produced from a vine, the _Piper betel_)

is in the provinces of Quang, ton, (Canton, of Europeans,) Quang, si,

and Che, keang, and may be seen, exposed for sale, on little stalls

about the suburbs of Canton, with the other additional articles used

in the preparation; it is also used as a mordant for coarse dyes. The

Areka-nuts brought from Cochin China are considered by the Chinese the

best imported. This may, however, arise from prejudice in favour of the

production of a country so nearly allied to them, to that introduced by

foreigners. In the central provinces of Hoo, kwang, and Kang, si, the nut

is, after being bruised and pounded, mixed with the green food of horses

as a preventive against a diarrhœa, to which that kind of food sometimes

subjects them. It was likewise mentioned to me by a Chinese, that it is

used as a domestic medicine in the north of China, small pieces being

boiled; the decoction is administered in various visceral affections.

A cargo of this article generates so much heat as to raise the

thermometer in the hold forty degrees above that on the deck; and from

this circumstance, and the quantity of steam generated, the crew are

prevented from sleeping between decks.

The Areka-nut is commonly known by the very prevailing Malay name of

_Pinang_, or _Pinong_, but in the Acheenese language it is called _Pénu_,

and the tree _Ba, penu_; _Ba_, signifying tree, is usually prefixed to

the specific name, as _Un_, signifying plant, is prefixed to the name of

a plant.

The ripe Areka-nut is called also _Pénu, massa_, and the green _Pénu,

mudr_; the Gambir, used with the Betel, _Gambé_; the Betel-leaf, _Ránu_;

the Chunam, _Gapu_; the tobacco, _Bákun_.

The rajah of Pedir claims ten per cent. as a duty levied in kind upon

all the Areka-nut disposed of to ships arriving in his territory;

and, besides this, his subjects are obliged to dispose of the nuts to

the ship, at the price he or his ministers have agreed upon with the

supercargo.[156]

The red colour, produced by chewing the Betel-leaf, in combination with

the Areka-nut, lime, &c., is not produced by them when used separately.

The mastication of the “_Betel_” is considered very wholesome by those

who are in the habit of using it: it may be so, but the black appearance

it gives to the teeth, although it is said to be an excellent preserver

of them, together with the brick-red lips and mouth, give any thing

but an agreeable appearance.[157] Its use certainly does not impart

additional beauty to the native females, who habituate themselves to an

equal extent to those of the opposite sex.[158]

There was an old native of Madras, a Moorman, forming one of the rajah’s

attendants on board, whose duty it was to visit ships, and report their

arrival to his highness, and also to attend the ship daily to see the

cargo taken on board; this individual had one of his hands rendered

useless by a blow from a Klawang, or Malay sword. Besides the scar

resulting from this wound, there was an unreduced dislocation of the

carpal extremity of the ulna, and a fracture of the radius, which,

being disunited, an artificial joint had been formed: the cause of this

personal injury, he said, proceeded from an attack made upon a vessel

he was in, by one belonging to the rajah of Acheen, in which several

people were killed. This individual, being on board one morning, although

professing in external appearances the Mahometan creed, expressed a

desire of having a tumbler of the stimulating beverage denominated

“grog,” if it could be _administered_ without its being seen; proving

that his religious scruples were not so strong in private as his

veneration for public opinion, or a fear of losing _caste_. A stiff glass

of grog was, therefore, prepared for him, which the old withered disciple

of Mahometanism regarded with glittering eyes. There was also on board

another Mussulman, whose duty it was to take account of the cargo as it

came to the ship, and report the quantity to the rajah; the sinner was

about to raise the glass to his mouth, exclaiming, “What would the other

man say if he was to see me now?” when the old saying was verified,

of “there is many a slip between the cup and the lip;” for the scribe

was, at the same instant, seen descending, and there was only time to

conceal the glass before he was close to him. The old fellow stroked

his whiskers, and began seriously to talk about opium; and as the white

turbaned man saw him clear out from below, the long-sought enjoyment was

obliged to be postponed.

A Chittagong brig, commanded by a black Portuguese, anchored in the

roads, on the 10th of July, from the Maldive islands, bound to Penang,

with a cargo of dried fish and some tortoiseshell, which had been

procured in exchange for rice; his object was to dispose of his cargo

in exchange for dollars and Betel-nut at this place. The dried fish was

the _Bonito_ cut into small pieces. The Maldive natives prepare it in

the following manner:—A long slice is cut from each side of the fish,

and these again are divided into two parts, so that each fish is divided

into four pieces; it is then boiled for a short time in salt water,

after which it is smoked and placed in the sun to dry; it then becomes

extremely hard, and resembles, when broken, a piece of wood, having a

reddish appearance at the fractured parts: after it has been soaked, it

is used for curries and other native dishes.

The “Golden Mountain” is a very conspicuous and beautiful object from the

anchorage; but it ought to be mentioned, that, from this position, two

mountains are seen to the westward, one towering to a peak, and densely

wooded, the other, anterior to it, is a lofty rounded hill: the first

is the one known to Europeans as the “Golden Mountain;” the second,

or rounded mountain, is not named in the charts, but it may be called

the “Pedir Mountain.” The “Golden Mountain” is called by the natives

_Yamori_, and the other _Yamora_; the first the natives designate as the

father, the second the mother (probably of all the little mountains about

them).

The natives state, that once every year the mountains come together,

occasioning rain, thunder, lightning, earthquakes, and violent storms;

the _Urong Salle_, or Fire King, then sits upon the mountain, surrounded

by hideous demons, enjoying the noise and uproar occasioned by the

conflict of the elements; the winds blow in violent tornados; the thunder

is so loud as to occasion the earth to tremble under the feet of the

terrified inhabitants: the rain causes tremendous mountain torrents,

inundating habitations and plantations, carrying all before them in their

impetuous course, and spreading devastation around. In the midst of this

dreadful conflict of the elements, the mountains meet with a horrible

crash. As the forked lightning plays around them, the Urong Salle, or

Fire King, surrounded by his satellites, laughs and sports in the scene;

the mountains remain united for a minute, when they again separate,

regaining their former position. No person dare ascend the hill at any

time, for there sits the Fire King and his demons, and should any mortal

cast his eyes upon him, that instant he would be struck with blindness.

_Yamora_ is stated to be distant, inland from Pedir, two days’ journey

travelling on foot, and _Yamori_ is the same distance from the other

mountain; not, however, as the crow flies, but it would take that period

of time to reach it, from the winding and difficulties of the road.

From this account there is every reason to suppose that earthquakes and

volcanic eruptions are occasionally felt upon this coast. As far as we

could ascertain, there was no appearance of a burning volcano existing in

either of the mountains just mentioned; they were both densely clothed

with vegetation, more especially the “Golden Mountain.”

Near the banks of the river, a short distance up, is an uninclosed native

burial-ground; the graves had a stone or piece of wood placed both at

the head and foot: there were several trees of _Hibiscus tiliaceus_,

_Tamarindus Indica_, and a very large one, called _Ba, Glumpong_ by the

natives, (_Sterculia fœtida_, Linn.) which was described by them as

being poisonous, producing violent vomiting and pains in the head, if

the fruit be eaten. I subsequently saw it, planted about the fences in

the village. There were two of these fine, lofty, and spreading trees

in the burial-ground, and I procured specimens both of the flowers and

fruit: the former grew in clusters upon erect spikes, with the corolla of

a dark red, mixed with yellowish green. They have a handsome appearance,

but diffuse so fœtid a smell around, as soon to fill a room with the

exceedingly disagreeable effluvia. The fruit is kidney-shaped; the trees

were sixty or seventy feet in height, and from eight to ten feet in

circumference.

A piece of sandal wood, of good quality, was brought off to the ship

by one of the natives; he stated that large quantities of it could be

procured, as the tree grew abundantly in the mountains. He gave it the

usual Indian appellation of _Chandana_.[159]

In some brackish pools I collected several small living species of

the _Cerethium_; and about the banks a great number of a small crab,

remarkable from one of the claws being greatly disproportioned to the

size of the other parts of the animal, and entirely different in colour.

When I first beheld them, I mistook them for small crabs running away

with the claws of larger ones. They are difficult to catch, from the

exceeding rapidity of their motions, and escape, on the slightest

movement or noise being made, into their subterraneous dwellings in the

sand. The body and feet of the animal are bluish black, with a few white

marks across, and the large claw is of a light or occasional darker red

colour. The natives call them _Biong, po_. They are seen in great numbers

about the pools, but are not eaten by the natives. I procured several

specimens, which I preserved in spirits. On being placed in strong rum,

they survived for the space of full three minutes; and if more than one

was placed in the same bottle, they would fight and pull the claws off

each other in their death agonies.

Near the village, several boys were playing a game with Areka-nuts,

called _Mein-achu_, in some degree resembling our game at marbles. Four

nuts were piled up in form of a pyramid, twelve such forming a row; a nut

was then fillipped off with some degree of force against the heaps, from

a distance of about three yards. If the thrower succeeds in destroying

one of the pyramids, he renews his throw at the others, always at the

distance where his nut remained, until he misses, when the next player

takes his turn: the game thus continuing until all the pyramids are

thrown down.

I was much surprised a few days since, while passing a house in the

vicinity of the village, to see apparently a European lad, of about six

years of age; and on examining him closer, found his skin of a white

colour, thinly scattered over with small light-brown patches. On passing

the same house again, I made inquiry on the subject, and then had an

opportunity of seeing two others, who were females,—one about sixteen or

eighteen years of age, the other an infant just able to run about. They

were described to us as children of native Malay parents, of the usual

colour of their race; but we did not see them, as they had gone a short

distance into the country. The children were named _Ceté_, _Theté_, and

_Cebreté_. They had a plump appearance; flaxen hair, light-blue eyes;

and the boy and young woman were slightly covered with scattered small

brown patches; but the infant had not a blemish on its integument. The

natives could give no reason for this variety; they looked upon it as

curious, but did not seem, as far as I could ascertain, to regard it as

a disease. They have the flat nose of the Malay, but otherwise would be

considered the offspring of European parents, the skin being in some

degree freckled. It ought certainly to be regarded as a variety of, if

not actually the disease called, leprosy.[160]

I met several natives going into the interior; they were all well armed

with krisses, klawangs or Malay swords, spears, and blunderbusses or

musquets; the country in the interior being described as in a very

unsettled state. Some of the spears were about six feet long, resembling

walking-staves, covered above by a wooden sheath, similar to the other

part of the weapon, and ornamented with rims of silver; the upper part,

or sheath, being taken off, displays the head of the spear.

I purchased a specimen of the _Viverra musanga_, similar to one I had

before procured at Java, for half a rupee; although very wild with

strangers, it was exceedingly domesticated with its master, following him

like a cat, as he walked along the path: they called him, on this coast,

as at Java, “Mussang.”

This specimen was very little larger than one I had before procured;

but they attain, I was informed, the size of our domestic cat, living,

in the wild state, upon the summits of the trees, eating fruit, and

catching birds as their food. The animal is very fond of sugar-cane,

plantain, rice, and the flesh of fowls, and will also kill and eat those

troublesome insects, the cock-roaches. It, however, became so very savage

on board, that I was obliged at last to destroy it.

I was frequently applied to by the natives, when sick, to administer

medicines to them. There were several suffering from different kinds

of tumours; one, near the nose, I offered to remove; but although the

person promised to come on board for the purpose, I afterwards heard

he was afraid, and altered his mind. Among many patients was a little

girl, belonging to a Moorman, suffering from _Diarrhœa mucosa_: her body

had been rubbed entirely over with a mixture of turmeric, sandal-wood,

and oil, as a remedy for the disease. The yellow appearance—the usual

indication of sickness—was not the result, as may have been expected, of

some disease, but merely a daubing over the body of the above-mentioned

composition,—this being the remedy for all diseases. The common Hindoo

application of cow-dung and turmeric is frequent for external wounds or

bruises, and considered a very efficacious remedy. Cutaneous diseases

were very numerous, and the native applications proved very inefficacious

in removing them.

I had an opportunity of seeing another rajah—the rajah of Putu (a village

and district not far distant, on the sea coast). He was ill-looking

in person, and carried with him the appearance of being addicted to

opium-smoking. He was attired in a _sarong_ of a handsome pattern, the

borders of which were woven with gold threads. These sarongs are the

manufacture of the country, and are sold at high prices. The rajah was

tall and young, and was attended by a numerous retinue, attired in red

cloth jackets ornamented with gold lace, and handsome sarongs: others

could only wear a cotton _baju_, or jacket. They were armed with spears,

klawangs, krisses, and old rusty blunderbusses. The object of his visit

to this place, was to pay his respects to the old queen (grandmother of

the present rajah) of Acheen, who was residing at Pedir, and was about to

embark in a few days in the Acheenese grab for Acheen, and was described

as being an excellent old lady.

NOTE.

(_See_ page 13, vol. i.)

A method has since been mentioned to me, by which the colours of the

flowers of plants are well preserved. The process was this:—The paper

being first heated before the fire, or in an oven, the plant recently

gathered is placed between the hot sheets, and pressed. It is requisite,

however, that the paper, in the same heated state, be renewed at

intervals, on account of the expressed juices from the stalks and leaves

fermenting, which might otherwise injure the plants.

There is also a method of preserving plants in flower, by which their

natural form, as well as colours, can be preserved. It consists in

placing the plant in a jar, and pouring fine sand upon it, until the

whole plant is covered: it is then to be placed, still kept in the jar,

into an oven; after which, being taken out, and the sand removed, the

plant is found preserved both in its form and colour.

FOOTNOTES

[1] Madeira signifies, in the Portuguese language, “woody;” and the

island was so named from the very wooded appearance it had on its

discovery.

[2] In summer, Horsburgh states that the north-east winds prevail, and

a south-west current sets through the channel, between Madeira and the

Desertas. The current along the south side of Madeira and the Desertas

mostly sets to the leeward in strong gales; but at the conclusion of a

gale, it sometimes changes suddenly, and sets contrary to the wind.

[3] They are called “Guinea Ships” by the old navigators, from their

floating like a vessel on the water, and from having very probably been

first seen in great numbers about the coast and gulf of Guinea.

[4] Mr. John Fuge, of Plymouth, informed me that he captured a specimen

of the _Physalia pelagica_, in the Catwater, (Plymouth Sound,) a few

years since, in the month of August; it was floating upon the surface of

the water, and living when caught; he placed it in a glass globe of sea

water, and preserved it for three weeks. The only motion he observed in

the animal, was an occasional contraction and elongation of the beaked

end of the bladder portion of the animal, and the tentaculæ were also

drawn up and thrust forward.

[5] Physalis tuberculosa, P. megalista, P. elongata, and P. pelagica, are

the species given by Lamarck. (Sur les Animaux sans Vertèbres, tom. ii.

p. 478.)

[6] On the 5th of April, 1834, in latitude 29° 17′ north, and longitude

42° 57′ west, temperature of the atmosphere 68° to 72°, I caught in my

towing net a very fine specimen of _Physalis pelagica_, adorned with the

usual beautiful tints, but not so vivid as I have usually seen them.

The specimen was the largest I had before witnessed. During the month

of April, 1834, I observed specimens of this mollusca as far north as

latitude 38° 32′ north, and longitude 34° 30′ west. The lowest range of

the thermometer being 58°, and highest 72°. In March, 1831, I had seen

them as far north as the latitude of the Azores or Western Islands. Often

when we had very strong westerly winds, with a heavy sea running at the

time, I saw them; yet not, to use a nautical expression, “furling sail”

and sinking; this was sufficient to prove the absurdity of the opinion

that they collapse and sink during stormy breezes. I have frequently seen

them capsized by a wave, but almost instantly after regain their natural

position.

[7] “Praya” signifies, in the Portuguese language, “a beach or shore.”

[8] “The largest tree in the world is the Adansonia or Baobab tree, the

trunk of which has been found with a diameter of thirty feet; but its

height is not in proportion. It is emollient and mucilaginous in all

its parts. The leaves dried and reduced to powder constitute _Lalo_, a

favourite article with the Africans, which they mix daily with their

food, for the purpose of diminishing the excessive perspiration to

which they are subject in those climates; and even Europeans find it

serviceable in cases of diarrhœa, fevers, and other maladies. The fruit

is, perhaps, the most useful part of the tree. Its pulp is slightly

acid and agreeable, and frequently eaten; while the juice is expressed

from it, mixed with sugar, and constitutes a drink which is valued as a

specific in putrid and pestilential fevers.”—_Hooker’s Bot. Mag._ 2792.

“The dried pulp is mixed with water, and administered in Egypt in

dysentery. It is chiefly composed of a gum, like gum senegal, a sugary

matter, starch, and an acid, which appears to be malic.”—_Delile Cent._

12. _Quoted in Lindley’s Int. to the Nat. Syst. of Botany._

[9] (In June, 1831.) “Canary orchilla fetches in the London market from

270_l._ to 290_l._ per ton, while that which is brought from Madeira

fetches only 140_l._, and Barbary not more than from 30_l._ to 45_l._

The total quantity imported in 1829, amounted to 1,813 cwt. or 90½

tons.”—“Archil is generally sold in the form of cakes, but sometimes in

that of moist pulp.”—_M’Culloch’s Dict. of Commerce._

[10] At the time of our arrival a Portuguese brig was lying in the bay,

having a cargo of this weed on board, which was estimated at a low

calculation to be worth 30,000_l._

[11] “The dyer’s lichen was first exported from the islands of the

Archipelago to Venice, Genoa, France, and England, for the use of the

dyers. Towards the commencement of the last century it was discovered in

the Canary Islands, and was soon placed among the regalia of the Spanish

crown. This excited the attention of the Portuguese, who collected it

without restriction in the Cape de Verd Islands, Madeira, Porto Santo,

and the Azores. In the year 1730, the Jesuits asked of King John V. the

privilege of collecting the _Hervinha secca_; but the crown took the

advantage into its own hands, and farmed the right of collecting it. At

a later period the lichen was ceded to the mercantile company of Gram

Pará and Maranhâo; and, lastly, in the year 1790, the government again

took this branch of commerce under its own care, because it had declined

considerably under the bad management of the company. At present the

exportation is small; but more considerable, however, from the Cape de

Verd Isles.” (See I. Da Silva Feijó, in the _Memorias Economicas da Acad.

de Lisboa_, vol. v. 1815, p. 143.)—_Spix and Martius Travels in Brazil_,

vol. i. p. 125.

[12] Abel’s Voyage to, and journey into the interior of, China. 4to. p. 6.

[13] Captain Basil Hall. See Fragments of Voyages and Travels.

[14] It would be interesting, but at the same time difficult, to

ascertain where one particular species commences and another terminates,

and the extent of their range. In the summer season they are found

off the Cape of Good Hope, Port Jackson, and even on the banks of

Newfoundland; and I have good authority for asserting that in the month

of August, in even more than one year, they have been seen in Plymouth

Sound.

[15] My journal remarks the atmosphere to have been very chilly during

the day, but much milder in the evening; the range of the thermometer

during the day being from 49° to 56°.

[16] How will this accord with the geographical distribution of the

mollusca by Péron and Leseur? After studying the _Holothuria Medusæ_,

and other congeners of delicate and changeable forms, they came to the

conclusion that each kind has its place of residence determined by the

temperature necessary to support its existence. Thus, for example, they

found the abode of _Pyrosoma atlanticum_ to be confined to one particular

region of the Atlantic Ocean.—_Voy. aux Terres Aust._ tom. 1, p. 492,

_quoted in Lyell’s Principles of Geology_, vol. ii. pp. 111, 112.

[17] Albicores, bonitos, and dolphins, often follow the ship for several

days in succession; we had occasion to note an albicore that was marked

on the back by some sharp instrument, leaving a large sear by which it

could readily be recognized. It was first seen in 3° north latitude, and

following the ship to latitude 11° south, a distance of eight hundred and

forty miles.

[18] This petrel is said to be found from 24° to 60° south latitude.

[19] Respecting the name given to this bird, it has been observed,

that the first Portuguese navigator called them, the boobies, and

other sea-birds, _alcatros_ or _alcatras_. Dampier applied this name

to an actual kind; Grew changed it to _albitross_, and Edwards into

_albatross_. The French name these birds _mouton du cap_. There are a

number of species enumerated; but it will require frequent and cautious

observation previous to the determination of a new one, as they vary so

much in plumage from sex and age.

[20] The condor is supposed by some to be the “Roc” of the Arabian Nights.

[21] The other species I have seldom known to measure more than eight

feet across the expanded wings.

[22] This bird is evidently aided by its long wings as well as tail in

directing its flight: they are never seen to soar to any great height,

and are often observed to change their course, by turning the wings and

body in a lateral direction, and oftentimes, when raising themselves,

would bend the last joint of the wings downwards.

[23] Cuvier enumerates five species; but at the same time says, “On a

observé divers albatrosses plus ou moins bruns ou noirâtres, mais on n’a

pu encore constater jusqu’à quel point ils forment des variétés ou des

espèces distinctes.”—_Regne Animal_, tom. i. p. 555.

[24] The building was originally erected as a theatre, at a very great

expense, and after its completion the governor, at that time General

Darling, refused to grant a licence for dramatic performances, in

consequence of which it was fitted up as a spacious hotel. On the

present Governor, General Burke, granting permission for theatrical

entertainments, a portion of the building has reverted to the original

purpose for which the whole had been erected.

[25] “It is at least certain that on this microscopic character of

the equal existence of cutaneous glands on both surfaces of the leaf,

depends that want of lustre which is so remarkable in the forests of New

Holland.”—_Sketch of the Botany of the Vicinity of Swan River, by R.

Brown, Esq. F.R.S., published in the Journal of the Royal Geographical

Society of London_, vol. i. 1830, 1831.

[26] The dried cones of the _Banksia_ are used by the aborigines for

retaining fire, as they will keep ignited for a considerable length of

time.

[27] The analysis of the chemical properties of this gum is mentioned in

Decandolle’s Organographie Végétale, tom i.

[28] I remarked that the wood of a species of _Banksia_, (I believe

_dentata_,) which was used for firewood, was of a beautiful red colour,

and when split in a longitudinal direction displayed a curious interlaced

appearance; it had an astringent taste when chewed, staining the saliva

of a dark reddish colour, and I think it would be worth trying if a dye

would be furnished by it.

[29] The _Kennedia_ is called the “woodbine” by some of the shepherds

in the colony, who use a decoction of its leaves as a lotion for scabby

sheep, and they declare it is a cure for that disease; but their

declarations of the curative properties of the plant is not borne out by

the experience of others, who have found it quite useless as a remedy for

that disease.

[30] Among the _Psittaceæ_ tribe is the _Psittacus Novæ Hollandiæ_,

curious as being one of the parrot tribe, seen and mentioned by Captain

Cook, but is a very rare species in the present known parts of the

colony,—(it is, more correctly, a species of cockatoo, and which, I

believe, Mr. Vigors has; or intends, to place in a new genus,)—and has

not been seen even in those portions of the colony visited by Cook. The

specimen in the collection, is one among a few of this species that

was seen at Wellington Valley a few years since, during a prevailing

drought, and since that period they have not been seen in that or any

other known part of the colony. I heard at Yas Plains, that it was not

uncommon at some seasons of the year to observe birds, before unknown to

the colonists, appear, and soon after again disappear, and are, perhaps,

never seen again until years after, and often not at all.

[31] It would also be desirable to have the cases made in such a manner,

as to be opened if required, and a closer inspection of the specimens

obtained, which is often requisite for scientific examinations. To George

Macleay, Esq. the museum is indebted for many valuable species of birds,

which he had collected during his arduous journey in the exploration of

the course of the Murrumbidge river, in the expedition under Captain

Sturt.

[32] Captain Cook observes, “Of this plant, there are two sorts; the

leaves of both resemble those of flags, but the flowers are smaller,

and their clusters more numerous: in one kind, they are yellow; and

in the other, a deep red.” This plant is also indigenous to Norfolk

Island, which, in its vegetation, partakes more of New Zealand than the

Australian continent. Captain Cook observes, that at Norfolk Island,

“we observed many trees and plants, common at New Zealand, and, in

particular, the flax plant, which is rather more luxuriant here than in

any part of the country.”

[33] Captain George Harris, R. N., C. B., and member for Grimsby, in the

present parliament, has recently been manufacturing rope and cables of

the phormium tenax, or New Zealand flax; and instead of tar, substitutes

a solution of gum, or some such substance, (principally, we suspect, the

caoutchouc or Indian rubber,) by which, it is contended, the rope is

rendered stronger, more pliant, and less liable to part in short bends,

turns, or clinches, and being stronger, smaller ropes than those now in

use will answer for ships’ rigging; the consumption of hemp, of course,

diminishes in proportion—we say hemp, because the solution will also

impart to the hemp the qualities we have named. If, however, a substitute

is to be found for hemp and tar, we are rendered independent of the

Russian trade in these articles;—a most desirable object, should the

state of Europe at any time involve us in a difference with that nation.

The bogs and rough ground of Ireland, all our African possessions and

West Indian islands, and New South Wales, are particularly adapted to the

culture of the phormium tenax. Captain Harris was here on Monday, and

superintended the making of a 14½ inch cable, which is to be tried on

his Majesty’s ship _Rainbow_. A trial is also to be made of the relative

strength of the phormium tenax and hemp in this yard, in a few days, for

which a piece of 14½ inch cable has been expressly manufactured. The

price of hemp per ton is £38; that of the phormium tenax £28. Of the

experiments that have been made at Woolwich, by order of the Admiralty,

the following are the results:—

T. cwt. lbs.

A 4½ inch rope of the old sort broke at a strain of 3 8 40

4 inch phormium, with the solution 5 10 0

4 inch bolt rope, Italian yarns, present sort 4 15 0

4 inch ditto, with the same yarns, with the preserving

solution 6 8 56

4 inch common rope 5 7 56

4 inch hempen rope, with coal or mineral tar 3 7 56

4 inch phormium, with the solution 5 16 70

The strongest proof is thus given of its strength. Its power, however,

to resist wet, and its durability, are yet to be ascertained.—_Hampshire

Telegraph._

[34] The following was mentioned to me as the origin of the name given to

this point. Governor Phillip, at an early period of the colony, formed

a pic-nic party to proceed up the Paramatta river, and a person was

sent on before to prepare kangaroo steaks. They landed at this point,

and having regaled themselves, the gentlemen, following the maxims of

John Hunter, laid down upon the grass, and aided digestion by falling

asleep; the ladies finding themselves deserted began to propose winning

gloves, and therefore kisses were taken, and on their awaking the forfeit

was demanded, and of course not refused. Before leaving the place the

governor wished some name to be bestowed upon the point, and one of the

ladies being requested to do so, in consequence of the occurrence just

mentioned, named it “Kissing Point.”

[35] This creek, commonly called the Paramatta river, is a creek or inlet

of the sea from Port Jackson; the true river, which is very small, falls

into this creek at Paramatta.

[36] _Boyams_ are the roots of different genera and species of the

Orchideæ family; some are called, by the colonists, “double or single

_boyams_,” according to the appearance of the roots, and they all form an

article of food among the aboriginal tribes.

[37] The dimensions of the large specimen were as follows:

Feet. Inch.

From the vertex of the head to the tip of the tail 2 3

Breadth across the shoulders 0 3

Length of the tail 0 11½

Breadth of the loins 0 3²⁄₈

Length of the fore-leg to the claws 0 6⅝

hind-leg to do. 0 7⅜

Length of the head to the snout 0 4

Length of the ear 0 2½

The tail is naked underneath from its extremity to within five inches of

the base, and is prehensile.

The colour of the male specimen was greyish; a short fine fur covers the

back, being also continuous of the same colour to within four inches of

the tail; after which the fur becomes longer, more glossy, and of a black

colour; the fur on the abdomen was of a yellowish white colour; near the

feet the fur is short, of a dirty yellow colour, with brownish patches;

the colour is similar under the chin, throat, and angles of the jaw;

the upper part of the ears is nearly bare; the thumbs of the hind feet

have no claw, but the fore-feet are pentadactyle, and armed with sharp

claws; the four toes of the hind-feet are also armed with claws, the

first dividing into two phalanges, each having a claw. The young specimen

differed from this only in having a yellowish tinge mixed with the grey

over the back, legs, and abdomen; angles of the jaw and throat of a

brownish yellow; the under portion about the eyes and upper part of the

head of a yellowish colour.

[38] The Hobart Town Colonist of Oct. 12, 1832, contains the following

paragraph respecting the capability of the opossum fur being used in

manufactures.

“We have been favoured with the sight of a pair of mittens spun and knit

by Mrs. M’Kenzie, of the Lower Clyde, from the _fur of the opossum_. In

texture and appearance they very much resemble the best sort of Angola

mittens, but to us they appear of superior quality. The pair that we saw

are now in the possession of Mr. Gordon, of Forcett, to whom they were

presented by Mr. M’Kenzie.”

[39] Besides the vine, other fruit-tree cuttings blossom and even bear

fruit in a very short period of time. I saw a peach cutting, in a garden

near Sydney, about six inches long, which had been planted only ten days,

and was covered with a profusion of blossoms.

[40] The box-tree of the colonists (_Eucalyptus, sp._) is used in the

colony for the spokes and fellies of wheels, and the “apple-tree”

(_Angophora lanceolata_) for the naves.

[41] The “turpentine tree” attains the elevation of from sixty to ninety

feet, and a diameter of three feet.

[42] Mount York, according to Oxley, is 3,292 feet above the level of the

sea.

[43] “Pi” signifies “to hit or break,” and “cobera,” “head.”

[44] It has been stated frequently to me, that the females destroying

their offspring allege as a reason, that they are too much trouble to

carry about: however, it is well known, that, as their children become

older, they evince much attachment towards them.

[45] This is not confined to the Australian natives, for it also occurs

in Polynesia. Spix and Martius also observe, in their Travels in Brazil,

(Eng. Trans. 8vo. vol. ii. p. 241,) “We did not meet with any deformed

persons or cripples among the Indians; for which reason, some people

believe that they put them to death immediately after their birth.”

[46] “Netbul,” (the net-bag of the aborigines,) is a corrupted native

word; “culy” is one of the native appellations.

[47] Those philanthropic individuals who think to change the habits of

these savage tribes, expecting those who have lived from the earliest

period of their existence on the produce of the chase, to abandon their

wandering life, and settle down to cultivate the soil—an employment to

which they are quite unaccustomed—can never have reflected how difficult,

even in our boasted civilized state, it is to change habits acquired in

early childhood. “Men,” observes Hartley, in his Essays on Man, (page

190,) “are brought to any thing almost sooner than to change their habit

of life, especially when the change is either inconvenient or made

against the force of natural inclination, or with the loss of accustomed

indulgences. It is,” he continues, “the most difficult of all things to

convert men from vicious habits to virtuous ones, as every one may judge

from what he feels in himself as well as from what he sees in others.”

“It is almost,” says Paley, after making the above quotation in his

Evidences of Christianity, “like making men over again.”

[48] At New Zealand the placenta is named “fenua,” which word signifies

land. It is applied by the natives to the placenta, from their supposing

it to be the residence of the child: on being discharged, it is

immediately buried with great care, as they have the superstitious idea

that the priests, if offended, would procure it; and, by praying over it,

occasion the death of both mother and child, by “praying them to death,”

to use their own expression.

[49] At New Zealand the women are attended, during labour, by their

husbands; but, if it is a difficult labour, they suppose the spirits to

be angry, and therefore send for the Tohunga, or priest. On the arrival

of the Tohunga, he strides over and breathes on the woman, and then,

retiring to a short distance, sits down and prays to the spirits; if the

labour terminates favourably, it is looked upon as resulting from the

influence of the Tohunga in averting the anger of the spirits; but should

the termination be fatal, the priest is considered to have incurred the

displeasure of the spirits, and lost his influence.

[50] This animal is called “Goribun” by the Yas natives.

[51] Distance of miles in travelling in the interior of the colony

is nominal, and the time occupied in riding the distance is usually

taken into consideration; some stages seem often to be over and others

under-calculated. “Shepherd’s miles,” it is a saying in the colony, “are

short, those of stockmen long.”

[52] The different trees of the _Eucalyptus_ genus are confused,

and require botanical arrangement: many, termed species, are merely

varieties; and the botanical characters of but few species are accurately

known.

[53] The “wire-grass” is said to indicate good soil, being found growing

in alluvial soil, in clumps, upon flats, swamps, &c.

[54] Sedge-grass is used for thatching, as well as beds for the sheep

during shearing time, after they have been washed.

[55] The “swamp oak” bears much resemblance to the larch. I know not why

this and other species of the casuarina trees have received the colonial

appellation of “oaks,” as forest-oak, swamp-oak, she oak, &c., as they

have not the slightest resemblance to that tree in external character,

unless the name may have been given from some similarity in the wood.

[56] The granite soil at Bolam is said to injure the teeth of the sheep,

the teeth of young sheep being as much worn down by it as in other soils

is often seen in the old sheep.

[57] In February, 1833, the ship “Prince Regent” arrived at Port Jackson,

from England, with emigrants and a general cargo; she was immediately

placed under quarantine, on account of the small-pox having occurred at

two distinct periods on board the vessel during the passage. The vessel

was not released from her unpleasant situation until the commencement

of March, having been, previous to her release, thoroughly fumigated,

and the clothes of all the infected persons burnt and washed at the

quarantine station, before being admitted into the cove of Sydney.

[58] This is not uncommon among savage nations; the introduction of

dysentery at Otaheite, or Tahiti, was attributed to Vancouver; and in

Beechey’s interesting narrative we are told that the Pitcairn islanders

had imbibed similar notions with regard to shipping calling at their

island, of leaving them a legacy of some disease. Mr. Hamilton Hume, (the

well-known Australian traveller,) who accompanied Captain Sturt in his

expedition to the northward, says the natives were suffering severely

from this eruptive malady, when they arrived among them, and numbers had

died, and many more were still dying, from its virulence. The description

of the disease he gave me accords in most points with that given by Dr.

Mair.

[59] Quoted in Good’s Study of Medicine, vol. iii. page 82.

[60] We tasted some excellent ale which had been brewed on the farm, and

it was gratifying to find that so wholesome a beverage could be made by

the colonists. The hop thrives well in this part of the colony, and I

understand succeeds even better on the farms at the Hunter’s River.

[61] This pass in the mountain range was discovered by Mr. Hamilton

Hume, (in the expedition made to the south-west of Australia, by those

enterprising travellers, Messrs. Hovell and Hume,) and from which the

important discovery of Yas (or according to the aboriginal pronunciation,

Yar) Plains was made.

[62] Derived from two Malay words, Kayu puti, signifying “white

wood;” (Kayu, wood; puti, white). The mode of preparing the oil is

as follows:—“The leaves are collected in a hot dry day, and put into

thoroughly dry bags, in which, nevertheless, they soon spontaneously

heat and become moist, as if macerated in water. They are then cut in

pieces, infused in water, and left to ferment for a night, after which

they are distilled. The quantity of oil they yield is very small,

scarcely more than three fluid drachms being obtained from two bags of

leaves.”—_Rumphius._

“When newly drawn it is very limpid, pellucid, and volatile; and Rumphius

says, smells strongly of cardamoms, but is more pleasant. On account of

the high price of real Caju puti oil, it is said to be often adulterated

with oil of turpentine, and coloured with resin of milfoil.”—_Thompson’s

London Dispensary_, 8vo. page 416.

[63] At New Zealand a pit is dug in the ground, in which some stones are

placed, and a fire lighted upon them, and suffered to remain until they

are well-heated; after the fire is removed, water is thrown over the

stones, and damp leaves placed also upon them, which causes much steam to

arise; the meat, potatoes, &c., are then placed into this oven, enveloped

in leaves, and the whole entirely covered with earth; it remains for

nearly an hour, when the cooking process is found to be completed.

[64] Among the Coroados Indians in the interior of Brazil, “it is very

common for several families to quit their abodes and settle where new

fruits are ripening, or where the chase is more productive.”—_Spix and

Martius Travels in Brazil_, 8vo. Eng. Trans. vol. ii. p. 248.

And why, we may ask, do the inhabitants of civilized countries emigrate?

It may be answered, to gain recompence for their labour, and to be able

to maintain themselves and families. Yet we blame savages for acting upon

the same principle, their wants causing them to lead a wandering life.

[65] It is also recorded of the Coroados Indians in the interior of

Brazil, according to Spix and Martius, “When they carry on war, their

leader is the best hunter, he who has killed the greatest number of

Enemies, Ounces, &c., and has the greatest share of cunning. At home his

commands are not attended to—every body commands at home, according to

his own pleasure.”—_Travels in Brazil_, 8vo. Eng. Transl. vol. ii. p. 245.

[66] This fish is of the family of perches, and probably the same as

described by the French naturalists, as a new genus, under the name of

_Gryptes Brisbanii_.

[67] The aborigines are expert fishermen; and I have seen them capture

a number of fish, when Europeans trying near them have not had even a

nibble. About the Fish river, the aborigines have a novel manner of

fishing—by placing a bait at the end of a spear, when the water is clear,

and on the fish approaching, they transfix it with much expertness.

[68] The black cockatoo (of which at present there are only two species

known) feeds on the larvæ of insects, or seeds of the _Banksia_, _Hakea_,

and even those of the _Xanthorrhœa_, or grass tree.

[69] “Krardgee,” signifying a person who attends on the sick; and

“kibba,” a stone.

[70] Yas Plains are distant one hundred and eighty-six miles from Sydney.

[71] Forest scenery in Australia is of a very dull character: with all my

admiration of the vegetable kingdom, I could find but very little that

was interesting in their appearance, unless flowering shrubs and plants

were in profusion.

[72] The settlers in Australia, as in America, call wheat, barley, &c.

grain; and when Englishmen speak of corn-fields, they consider he alludes

to maize, which is alone called corn in this country. This often leads to

mistakes in conversation.

[73] It is the beautiful Neem tree of India; the root is stated to be

bitter and nauseous, and is used in North America as anthelminthic.

[74] The patients are persons only under the employ of government, or

assigned servants of the settlers; for the latter the master pays a

shilling daily for a month, or as many days less as the man may remain in

the hospital; but should he remain longer than a month, no further charge

is made.

[75] Since the above was written, this inconvenience has been obviated,

by government establishing an hospital at Goulburn Plains.

[76] The following is the definition of a clergyman, as once given by one

of the aborigines: “He, white feller, belonging to Sunday, get up top o’

waddy, pile long corrobera all about debbil debbil, and wear shirt over

trowsel.”

[77] The largest specimen measured—

Inch.

Length of the body 4½

Length of the claw 3⁶⁄₈

Breadth of the shield 1⅜

Breadth of the claw 1⅛

Breadth of expanded tail 1⅞

Length of the anterior antennæ 4²⁄₈

Length of the posterior antennæ 1½

The colour of the upper part of the body, in the large specimens, was

brownish green; the upper part of the claws blueish green, occasionally

mottled; under surface, whitish; joints, red. The smaller specimens had

the upper surface of the body of a dark green colour, claws blueish green

and mottled: several of the females had a quantity of ova in the usual

situation.

[78] In March the season commences, at Sydney, for “cray-fish,” which are

caught in large quantities, and of enormous size, about the sea-coast,

and are hawked about the streets at a cheap rate; therefore, in this

colony, cray-fish abound in the sea, and lobsters in the river.

[79] Both the black and brown snakes take to the water on the appearance

of danger; indeed they evidently procure their food from the banks of

streams, and may be considered both land and water snakes.

[80] From the following paragraph, copied from the “Sydney Herald”

newspaper, the bite of this reptile does not prove so immediately fatal

as had been represented to me.

“The overseer of Mr. Cox, at Mulgoa, _a few days_ since, was bitten by

a _yellow snake_. The piece was cut out, but the unfortunate man still

remains in a dangerous state.”—_October 25th, 1832._

[81] There is a fine stuffed specimen of this reptile deposited in the

Colonial Museum, in which the colours are well retained.

[82] For an account of this unnatural fact, and the supposed cause that

produced it, see a separate account in the Appendix, at the end of the

second volume.

[83] This occasioned a lady at home to declare, that of all the wonderful

productions of Australia, she thought nothing could equal the “feathered

donkey.”

[84] From secondary limestone rocks on Yas Plains, about one mile and

a-half distant from the river, I collected large masses of what appears

to be fossil _Rotularia_.

[85] The fossil bones found in the cave at Wellington Valley refer to

eight species of animals, of the following genera:—

Dasyurus, or Thylacinus.

Hypsiprymnus, or Kangaroo Rat.

Phascolomys one species.

Kangaroo two, if not three species.

Elephant one species.

Halmaturus two species.

Of these eight species, four belong to animals unknown to zoologists; viz.

Two species of Halmaturus.

One species of Hypsiprymnus.

One species of Elephant.

_Kangaroo_—three species not easily ascertained.

_Dasyurus_ is doubtful, no head having been found.

_Edinburgh Journal._

[86] But little doubt exists in the minds of naturalists that this animal

is not indigenous to Australia; its not being met with in Van Dieman’s

Land (when all the other genera peculiar to Australia are found there)

will rather tend to confirm the hypothesis.

[87] The Australian dog never barks; and it is remarked by Mr. Gardiner,

in a work entitled the “Music of Nature,” “that dogs in a state of nature

never bark; they simply whine, howl, and growl: this explosive noise is

only found among those which are domesticated. Sonnini speaks of the

shepherds’ dogs in the wilds of Egypt as not having this faculty; and

Columbus found the dogs which he had previously carried to America, to

have lost their propensity to barking. The ancients were aware of this

circumstance. Isaiah compares the blind watchmen of Israel to these

animals—‘they are dumb, they cannot bark.’ But, on the contrary, David

compares the noise of his enemies to the dogs round about the city.

Hence the barking of a dog is an acquired faculty—an effort to speak,

which he derives from his associating with man. It cannot be doubted,

that dogs in this country bark more, and fight less, than formerly. This

may be accounted for by the civilization of the lower orders, who have

gained a higher taste in their sports and pastimes, than badger-baitings

and dog-fights; and it may with truth be asserted, that the march of

intellect has had its influence even upon the canine race, in destroying

that natural ferocity for war which (happily for the world) is now spent