229 



was visited by three natives, armed : they made signs for me 

 to depart, but oiFered no violence. On hearing the voices of 

 the party they retired into the woods. 



One mile up the river, from the last point, is a small creek 

 of fresh water issuing from an extensive lagoon clothed with 

 arborescent species of Metrosideros of great beauty. The 

 banks are covered with the most interesting plants, amongst 

 which I observed two species of Calytris, a species of Acacia, 

 with a scolopendrous stem, and several Papilionaceous 

 plants. The Angophoras on the flats are gigantic. Those 

 flats are formed of tolerable loam of great depth and 

 capable of producing fair crops. 



The Zamia, seen from the islands, was here observed to 

 attain the height of thirty feet. Zanthorhcea arhorea, too, was 

 of equal size, and, associated with the splendid Banksias, im- 

 parted to the forest a character perfectly tropical. 



I was astonished at observing the facility with which 

 water was obtained in this apparently sterile tract: for, on 

 digging to the depth of three feet, water was found in abun- 

 dance, and of the best quality. 



Proceeding up the river from the above-mentioned creek, 

 the country assumes a distinct appearance from that seen 

 below. On the left is an extensive salt marsh, bordered by 

 thickets of Cassuarina, surrounded by a flat of the richest 

 description, rivalling, in point of soil, that of the Hawkesbury. 

 Here I first observed the Brome or Kangaroo grass of New 



flaccid and pendent, when the animal is irritated are protruded to the length of a 

 foot, then resembling the trunk of the elephant, whence one of its French 

 names. Notwithstanding, however, the vast size and consequent strength of these 

 animals, and notwithstanding that they have among themselves the most 

 terrible and bloody conflicts, which exhibit a truly extraordinary spectacle, they 

 are, in general, extremely mild and gentle. Man may walk in the midst of 

 them without any reason to apprehend the smallest danger; and they only 

 defend themselves when attacked. They are caught abundantly for their oil, 

 especially by English fishermen ; one of whom has been known to make a pet 

 of one of these amphibious monsters, to caress it daily, and even to ride upon 

 its back. For a full history of this singular animal, see Peron's Voyage, v. 2. 

 chap. 2.3. — £d. 



