BONG, BONG. 199 



Eucalyptus corymhosa, which were profusely co- 

 vered with clusters of snowy blossoms. The large 

 forest trees in this country have very small roots 

 in proportion to their size and elevation, so much 

 so as to excite surprise how they are capable of 

 standing against the severe gusts of wind to 

 which they are frequently exposed ; and yet for 

 trees to be uprooted by that cause is compa- 

 ratively rare, — showing that nature is always 

 correct in her work, however it may at first 

 appear to our judgment. 



On approaching the settlement of " Bong, 

 Bong," the wild forest had, in most places, given 

 way to a cleared, cultivated, and beautiful 

 country, forming a strong contrast to the gloomy 

 bush we passed not long before. The vivid 

 green of the fields of grain, in ear, but not yet 

 mature, gave promise of a plentiful harvest ; and 

 clumps of trees, scattered about the pastures, 

 sufficient to shelter the cattle from the parch- 

 ing heats of summer, added to the pleasing cha- 

 racter of the scenery. The neat cottages, to 

 which barns, stables, &c. were attached, sprinkled 

 over the landscape ; the distant wooded hills ; 

 and smiling fields, animated by cattle, — could 

 not fail of exciting pleasurable sensations, and 

 a favourable impression of this " land of pro 

 mise," sufficient to banish the disappointment 



