SCIENTIFIC EXCURSIONS IN NEW HOLLAND. 289 
Brush, also of the different kinds of wood, both from the 
Brush and the forest near Moreton Bay; and I have pre- 
served the fruits in salt water and shall forward them with 
my specimens of rocks; for I think that geologists have no 
idea what a variety of formation exists in New Holland. 
It has been proposed to undertake an expedition from 
Sydney to Port Essington, on the north coast of New Hol- 
land; but the government is too poor. Still it is much to be 
desired that it should be done, one time or other, either at 
the public expence, or by the efforts of the colonists. 
We have seen the comet from the 3rd of March to 
April 1843. All the country that I have traversed is, 
with slight exceptions, occupied by proprietors of sheep 
and cattle; their stations lying from twenty to thirty miles 
apart. Sometimes I have travelled upon my good Val- 
paraiso mare, with no other companion than a faithful 
pointer bitch ; and encamped alone at night on the moun- 
tain or in the forest, my own cook, groom, washerwoman, 
and naturalist. Everywhere the people, when I was for- 
tunate enough to fall in with them, showed me great hos- 
Pitality ; and occasionally I have made acquaintance with 
some of the most respected persons in the colony; still, I 
have now and then been brought to such straights, that I have 
thought I must infallibly give up my studies and betake 
myself to some labour by which I might gain my bread. 
Your letter gave me much hope and pleasure. It is re- 
markable that I have gathered here a little plant, very 
Similar to that you sent me from the marshes of Tuscany, 
Hypericum quinquinervium. Walt. Sarothra (Blentinensis, 
Sav.) I enclose in my letter some flowers of the tree that 
I have described as having ternate leaves, and its wood 
soft and spongy that is used by the blacks for their shields 
(halimans). These blacks are interesting creatures. Living 
much among them, I have had the opportunity of watching 
their peculiarities. Though now forming several powerful : 
tribes, it cannot be doubted that they will soon disappear 
before the progress of civilization; and while philanthropy 
