XV. — 071 Norfolk Island, its Cliaracier and Prodiictiotis. 

 By Charles Toogood Downing, Esq., M.D. [Read 

 8th August, 1865.] 



It was intimated at a recent meeting of this Society, that as 

 Norfolk Island is about to pass into the hands of new- 

 occupants, it would be desirable to have some record of its 

 natural history and resources. In accordance with the 

 wishes of the members, I have drawn up a short paper 

 on the subject, though with considerable diffidence, in 

 the hope only that fresh facts will be elicited in the after 

 discussion. The sources from whence my information has 

 been drawn have been the histories of the early and 

 later navigators — Cook, Anson, Hunter, Keppel ; the nar- 

 ratives of those who have visited or resided at the place ; 

 and all those records, correspondences, and reports to which 

 I could obtain access otherwise. As far as possible, I 

 have verified the accounts of others by my own personal 

 observation and experience during three visits to and short 

 residences on the island. Still, this essay, should only be 

 regarded as a resume — as little more than a collection and 

 arrangement of scattered facts, drawn up in the simple and 

 terse style most suitable to this Society. To many gentle- 

 men, some of whom are present, I am indebted for valuable 

 suggestions and information, and am more especially under 

 great obligations to Dr. Nixon, Bishop of Tasmania, for 

 lending the beautiful drawings, (now submitted), taken 

 by himself, and which will aid much in illustrating the 

 subject. 



Norfolk Island, discovered by Captain Cook in 1774, is a 

 c2 



