340 NEW ZEALANDERS. 



insipid ; but the best leaves a slight sensation of 

 acrimony in the throat after it is swallov/ed. It 

 is thick, viscid, transparent, and colourless, or 

 of a pale straw colour : that which is obtained 

 by coction has a brownish hue ; and both kinds, 

 when they become rancid, thicken, deepen in 

 colour to reddish brown, and acquire a hot, 

 nauseous taste. It has all the chemical charac- 

 ters of the other expressed oils, except that it is 

 heavier, and is very soluble in alcohol, and also 

 in sulphuric ether.* 



Few diseases can be said to be produced by the 

 climate of Australia : dissipation and numerous 

 vices introduced from home have caused some 

 to prevail extensively in the populous town of 

 Sydney, but in the interior they are com- 

 paratively few. A number of persons perish 

 from that fatal disease consumption ; but I do 

 not regard it as produced by the climate, as it 

 invariably attacks persons from England, of dis- 

 sipated habits, or of employments uncongenial 

 to health. The vice of intemperance prevails ex- 

 tensively, and renders the bills of mortality much 

 greater than could be supposed from the popu- 

 lation and acknowledged salubrity of the climate. 



New Zealanders are now employed at Sydney 

 as labourers, and are much esteemed for their 



* Thompson's London Dispell satory. 8vo. p. 532. 



