232 BOTANY. OF VAN DIEMEN’S LAND. 
situated between the remarkable basaltic capes—Cape Raoul and Cape 
Pillar; the former of which we passed at a couple of cables’ distance, 
but of the latter had only distant, but still magnificent, views. The . 
shores are bold and high; and high hills, covered with a very dense 
forest and almost impenetrable jungle, rise behind the settlement. The 
rains are abundant, streams of water numerous, and nothing looks 
burnt up even in the midst of summer, as in other parts of the island. 
Fern-trees are so abundant that they use the split /ogs (if so you can 
eall a fern-trunk) for making corduroy roads through the forest; and 
very pleasant roads they are to walk on, as the log feels both soft and 
springy to the foot. Many of the prostrate sections had formed new 
side-buds, and were throwing out fronds in such profusion that I think 
Dicksonia Antarctica must be a very hardy species, as difficult to kill 
asa willow. I recommend your importing a few casks full of trunks, 
which I dare say could be procured by addressing Dr. Milligan, Secre- 
tary to the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land, and offering some- 
thing for their Garden in exchange.* The Garden is under the charge 
of Mr. Newman ; it is beautifully situated and well kept, but not very 
extensive, and ill supplied with water. 
Port Arthur did not prove favourable for Algæ, but I added a 
few to my previous list; among which is Adenocystis D Urvillai, an 
Antarctic Alga. Much of my short stay was wasted in going to dif- 
ferent localities recommended by the residents, but which proved 
barren when visited. At Eagle-Hawk Neck I found a curious little 
Callithamnion about as big as a raspberry, floating in the sea in such 
immense profusion that the waves, as they broke along the beach, 
. looked like outpourings of rather fluid raspberry jam. The sea was 
discoloured with it for a considerable space, and the officer on the 
station assured me that he had constantly noticed it thus at one end 
of the bay, but only there. I found a few scattered fronds elsewhere, 
but in no other place in plenty. The great Fucus potatorum (which 1 
did not see on the north coast) is plentiful at Port Arthur; and Dr. 
Milligan tells me the natives eat it, and that he has tasted it as cooked 
by them. Its fronds resemble sole-leather, very thick and tough when 
. wet. Pieces of these are first singed over a fire, then put to steep for 
some time in fresh water, and afterwards roasted and eaten crisp. 
.. Dr. Milligan says it was tasteless, but felt like food in the stomach. 
_ * Fine specimens are growing vigorously at the Royal Gardens, Kew.—Ep- 
