454 Natural History. 
parts of the colony. In his late journey, Mr. Throsby fell in with 
three very considerable rivers, or streams of water, apparently 
originating in the high lands at the back of Jarvis and Bate- 
man’s Bay, and taking a westerly course. ‘The country was of 
various description, but containing a good quantity of open fo- 
rests and plains, very abundant in water, and affording good pas- 
turage. Limestone was found in great plenty, and specimens had 
been brought in. 
In Mr. Throsby’s letter, detailing the tour, he says, ‘¢ I admit 
the great extent of country through which these rivers appear to 
run, places it far beyond my power to determine their termina- 
tion ; yet I still hope they will be ultimately found to communi- 
cate with the sea, but most certainly not on the eastern coast. 
‘¢] am happy to report, that the country in general is supe- 
rior to that which we passed through when with His Excelleney 
the Governor in November last. It is perfectly sound, well wa- 
tered, with extensive meadows of rich land on either side of the 
rivers 3 contains very fine limestone in quantities perfectly inex- 
haustible, slate, sand stone, and granite fit for building, with suf- 
ficient timber for every useful purpose ; and, from the appear- 
ance of the country, an unbounded extent to the westward. 
“© The approach from Lake George is in no part more difficult 
than the track the Governor’s carriage and carts passed between 
Lake Bathurst and Lake George on his late tour; nor do the 
very high mountains to the south-east present that prospect of 
extreme barrenness which the mountains bounding this part of 
the colony do; the whole being thinly timbered, with a pleasant 
appearance of verdure between the trees.” 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
Whales.—The Aleutians count seven species of whales, the 
most of which are probably unknown to natural bistory. One 
of these species is a rapacious animal, which is well known not 
to be the case with other whales, as they have no teeth. It de- 
vours every thing it can catch, and often pursues the Aleutians, 
whose little baydaus, if it is able to overtake them, it upsets with 
one blow of its tail. It is said that a baydan, with 24 oars and 
30 men, was lately destroyed by the blow of such a monster, 
near Oonalashka. The Russians and Aleutians relate, that ifa 
piece of the blubber of this animal is swallowed, it has the pro- 
perty of immediately passing through the body undigested. 
Sea Serpent.—M. Kriukof’s description of a sea-animal 
which. pursued him at Behring’s Island, where he had gone for 
the purpose of hunting, is very remarkable, Several Aleutians 
affirm they have often seen this animal. It is of the shape of the 
red serpent, and immensely long; the head resembles that of 
the 
