202 On Norfolk Island, 



These figures indicate an extreme of mean monthly range 

 for the year of 12|- ; less by 1|- than that of 1849 ; with an 

 annual mean of 68°, — exactly the same as that of the pre- 

 vious twelve months. 



The Climate of Norfolk Island, although somewhat re- 

 laxing, is considered salubrious. The chief diseases to 

 which residents are subject, as gathered from the medical 

 reports of many years, result from the prevailing heat and 

 moisture, often producing debility and relaxation of the 

 mucous membranes. Few escape without some symptoms of 

 this on their first arrival. Dysentery, of a type intermediate, 

 between Tropical and European, is rather common, and 

 may be attributed, in addition to the causes previously 

 mentioned, to the inordinate use of lemons, guavas, and 

 other wild fruit. It is in a measure endemic in the island. 

 Opthalmia, chiefly conjunctival, prevails almost epidemically 

 during the months of August, September, and October,* the 

 exciting cause being atmospheric. Bronchitis again prevails 

 during the winter months. The same may be said of the 

 many rheumatic cases that occur, and which are almost all 

 muscular ; such as pleurodynia, lumbago, &c. , the articular 

 form being of very rare occurrence. Such are the ordinary 

 ailments of the place ; but it is by no means free from 

 other occasional visitations. The scarlet fever, for instance, 

 made its appearance on the island, without apparent propa- 

 gation, at the time it prevailed as an awful scourge in 

 Tasmania. 



The soil of Norfolk Island is of exuberant fertility, so 

 that the rewards of industry may be obtained without its 

 exertion. Forest trees grow in great abundance, and 

 beneath them a rich growth of underwood. This appears 

 to have been the case at the time of its discovery, for 



* Annual Med. Keport, 1850. 



