NORFOLK ISLAND. 11 



which clothe it, give Norfolk Island a most cliarmiug aspect. 

 What imparts to its scenery a special character is the 

 presence of the famous Norfolk Island pine (Eutassa, or 

 Araucaria excelsa), a magnilieent tree of colossal propor- 

 tions, small specimens of which in(jst people may have had 

 an opportunity of admiring in various public gardens of 

 Europe. 



I had no opportunity of meeting with any very large ones 

 in the part of the island which I visited, but Adams told 

 me he had recently cut one down which was thirty-six feet 

 in circumference and more than 210 feet in height ; and he 

 further assured me he had seen some larger still. In ad- 

 dition to this tree, there are other very pretty arborescent 

 species on the heights where they constitute what are really 

 woods or forests. At the time of the arrival of the present 

 settlers numbers of wild hogs were to be found at large in 

 these woods, but they have been almost entirely destroyed 

 for the sake of their flesh. On all sides oxen and sheep 

 were to be seen in the pastures, and fowls and turkeys about 

 the dwellings. Venomous reptiles are unknown ; on the 

 other hand, numbers of centipedes are to be found beyond 

 the usual size. 



The fortunate settlers on Norfolk Island are of a joyous 

 and engaging disposition. Their cheerful ringing laugh, 

 ever ready to burst forth, and in perfect harmony with the 

 lively expression of their faces, predisposed me immediately 

 in their favour. This gaiety, most conspicuous in the 

 women, is however common to both sexes ; in a word, they 



