180 A COSTTBIBTJTION TO, ETC. 



edible ; but most of them are very small, with seeds large in 

 proportion to the pulpy covering. " Ground berries," and "five 

 corners," are too well known to need any reference to them, but 

 the berries of two species of Leucopogon, and also of LissantJie, 

 are by no means despicable. 



In concluding this rambling communication, I cannot do 

 otherwise than recommend invalids or persons fond of natural 

 history to visit the Kurrajong and Tomah. The scenery is 

 truly magnificent, and exercises a powerful influence on the 

 feelings, especially in those places from which a panoramic view 

 of the low country and its misty towns, is distinctly visible as 

 the morning vapours pass away. ' There is, indeed, a wide field 

 for the naturalist, whether his taste may lead him to entomology, 

 ornithology, geology, mineralogy, or botany, and the bracing air 

 of the mountain cannot but renovate a frame enervated by the 

 cares and troubles of a city life. Now that facilities are afforded 

 for speedy communication with Richmond and Penrith, it is 

 probable that many favoured spots on the mountains, will become 

 places of fashionable resort for invalids and tourists, and increased 

 exertions will be encouraged for the development of the natural 

 resources of these beautiful regions. In treating on such 

 subjects, however, one is painfully reminded of the shortness of 

 life, and the trifling amount of knowledge which any individual, 

 how accomplished soever he may be, can acquire. It was said of 

 a distinguished general of antiquity, that although he was cut off 

 in the prime of life, yet so far as the glory of his actions was 

 concerned, he had indeed passed through a very long course. In 

 civil and military affairs this may be regarded as figuratively 

 true, but in matters of science, in which the progress is slow and 

 tedious, and each step makes a man more and more sensible of 

 the worlds which yet remain to be conquered, he may indeed 

 attain a reputation for the importance of his discoveries, and the 

 brilliancy of his acquirements ; but, after all, he must be fully 

 aware, with the greatest of modern philosophers, that an ocean of 

 truth rolls undiscovered before "him. What, however, one indi- 

 vidual may fail to accomplish, may be effected to a certain extent 

 by the combined exertions of many ; and hence arises the vast 

 importance of concentrating the efforts of genius, and bringing 

 them to bear unitedly on any branch of art or science. It would 



