240 LECTURE XIX. 



more than they can devour. They are very 

 cunning and very difficult to get at, owing to 

 their hiding themselves in the thick bush of 

 the country; but I have heard that poisoned 

 meat is now destroying many of them. 



The fish of Australia are no less curious 

 than the animals. There is the schnapper, 

 which is of a large size, the flathead, and many 

 others of curious forms and habits. Sharks 

 also abound; and if a dead whale should be 

 drifted into Port Jackson, as sometimes happens, 

 the sharks follow the carcass in great numbers 

 to partake of it. At this time many are taken 

 in the course of a day, some of a very large 

 size. The fins are pickled, and sent to China, 

 where they are considered a luxury, and bring 

 a good price. 



TMs portion of Australia was formerly called 

 Botany Bay, a'nd to which rogues and thieves 

 were transported. Some of you may remember 

 that several years ago a valuable box of sove- 

 reigns was robbed from a mail-coach in a very 

 clever way, a similar box having been exchanged 

 for it. Well, the thief was convicted and trans- 

 ported for life, but the gold was never recovered. 

 After some time a female came to Botany Bay 



