448 VAN DIEMEN'S LAND. [chap, xix 



intrepid exertions of Mr. Robinson, an active and benevolent 

 man, who fearlessly visited by himself the most hostile of the 

 natives, the whole were induced to act in a similar manner. 

 They were then removed to an island, where food and clothes 

 were provided them. Count Strzelecki states,* that "at the 

 epoch of their deportation in 1835, the number of natives 

 amounted to 210. In 1842, that is after the interval of seven 

 years, they mustered only fifty-four individuals ; and, while each 

 family of the interior of New South Wales, uncontaminated by 

 contact with the whites, swarms with children, those of Flinders' 

 Island had during eight years, an accession of only fourteen in 

 number !" 



The Beagle staid here ten days, and in this time I made se- 

 veral pleasant little excursions, chiefly with the object of examin- 

 ing the geological structure of the immediate neighbourhood. 

 The main points of interest consist, first in some highly fossili- 

 ferous strata, belonging to the Devonian or Carboniferous period ; 

 secondly, in proofs of a late small rise of the land ; and lastly, in 

 a solitary and superficial patch of yellowish limestone or tra- 

 vertin, which contains numerous impressions of leaves of trees, 

 together with land -shells, not now existing. It is not impro- 

 bable that this one small quarry, includes the only remaining 

 record of the vegetation of Van Diemen's Land during one 

 former epoch. 



The climate here is damper than in New South Wales, and 

 hence the land is more fertile. Agriculture flourishes : the cul- 

 tivated fields look well, and the gardens abound with thriving 

 vegetables and fruit-trees. Some of the farm-houses, situated 

 in retired spots, had a very attractive appearance. The general 

 aspect of the vegetation is similar to that of Australia; perhaps 

 it is a little more green and cheerful ; and the pasture between 

 the trees rather more abundant. One day I took a long walk 

 on the side of the bay opposite to the town : I crossed in a steam- 

 boat, two of which are constantly plying backwards and forwards. 

 The machinery of one of these vessels was entirely manufactured 

 in this colony, which, from its very foundation, then numbered 

 only three and thirty years ! Another day I ascended Mount 

 Wellington ; I took with me a guide, for I failed in a first 

 * Physical Description of New South "Wales and Van Dieinen's Land, p. 354. 



