PLANTS ON PT. HFLKNA, 121 



of luxuriant furze and scrambling brambles seen in full bloom down 

 the slopes of the hill, along the lanes and bye-roads. 



" The furze appears to have been introduced into the Island during 

 the early part of the last century, and has proved very useful to the 

 inhabitants by furnishing them with a plentiful supply of fire-wood. 

 It does not appear to be used here as it is in the north of England, 

 for the purpose of watling in the walls, for making warm and comfort- 

 able outbuildings for fai-ms and other purposes. 



** When used this way, it is merely twisted between the upright 

 posts supporting the building, and if closely worked it makes a warm 

 building. 



" There are several plantations in the Island pretty well stocked 

 with good sized trees, principally pine and fir, which grow very well 

 here, but for timber purposes the wood is too coarse and open in 

 texture, resulting most likely from its rapid growth. The wood will 

 answer for common purposes when protected from the weather, but 

 otherwise it appears soon to decay and to be subject to rot. 



" These trees, however, are a great ornament to the Island, and 

 add much to its English appearance, as they are the predominating 

 ones, and give character to the scenery. 



" The Scarlet Geranium grows wild and very luxuriantly among the 

 rocks, and in some places may be seen whole hedges of it ; the 

 nasturtion also grows wild, and water cresses are found in the valley 

 streams, as well as many other plants common to England. 



" Barilla, called here samphire, is very abundant in most parts of 

 the Island ; and the true samphire is found in many places, but does 

 not appear to be much used. Fruit of many kinds grows very well 

 here ; the pears are large, plump, hard, and juicy, and are seen on the 

 tree at the same time as the blossoms. Peaches are good and 

 plentiful, their beautiful blossoms being often seen in the hedges ; 

 the fig thrives pretty well, as also Oranges and Lemons, and the 

 useful Plantain. Coffee has been tried and succeeded, it is considered 

 to be very good in quality and flavour. Cotton grows wild, as well 

 as the castor-oil plant. 



" The Port Jackson Willow thrives exceedingly well, and will ulti- 

 mately be valuable for supplying firewood, as it grows quickly and 

 throws up much underwood ; and is a veiy ornamental tree in all its 

 aspects, especially pleasing to the eye when full of its yellow catkins. 



" The Cape Gooseberry is a useful fruit, and forms an excellent 

 substitute for the English Gooseberry which it much resembles in 

 taste when cooked ; it is the more useful from the fact that the 



