1836.] GEOLOGY OF VAN DIEMEN'S LAND. 441 



in 1835, the number of natives amounted to two hundred 

 and ten. 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, uncontamlnated 

 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 stayed here ten days, and in this time I made 

 several pleasant little excursions, chiefly with the object of 

 examining the geological structure of the immediate 

 neighbourhood. The main points of interest consist, first, 

 in some highly fossiliferous 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 travertin, which 

 contains numerous impressions of leaves of trees, together 

 with land-shells, not now existing. It is not improbable 

 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 cultivated 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-thlrty years ! 

 Another day I ascended Mount Wellington ; I took with me 

 a guide, for I failed in a first attempt, from the thickness 

 of the wood. Our guide, however, was a stupid fellow, 

 and conducted us to the southern and damp side of the 

 mountain, where the vegetation was very luxuriant ; and 

 where the labour of the ascent, from the number of rotten 

 trunks, was almost as great as on a mountain in Tierra 

 del Fuego or in Chiloo. It cost us five and a half hours of 

 hard climbing before we reached the summit. In many 



irts the Eucalypti grew to a great size, and composed a 



