its Character and Productions. 209 



No snake or other reptile, harmless or venomous, is found 

 on Norfolk Island. It is free also from lizards and centi- 

 pedes, both of which are to be found on a certain small por- 

 tion of Phillip Island. The honey-bee has been naturalized, 

 and often hives out in the Bush. 



Fish in great variety and profusion are caught among the 

 rocks, or on the soundings for miles around. The shark is 

 not generally large, although a few of enormous dimensions 

 have been noticed. There are two species of cod, one 

 black, rising to SOOlbs., — the other brown, of about 17lbs.* 

 The shoals yield king-fish, trevaley, salmon, snapper, gro- 

 per, skip-jack, and trumpeter — all so called. Gar-fish are 

 also driven within the reefs by their numerous enemies. 

 All these fish, though dry, are palatable and take salt well. 

 The turtle is occasionally seen upon the coast, more especially 

 off Anson's Bay, where it deposits its eggs. The greater 

 part of the land has, however, of late years been washed 

 away, so that the visit of these animals is of rare occurrence. 



In consequence of the heaviness of the surf, the greater 

 number of things thrown upon the shore of these islands 

 are damaged or destroyed. Still, moderately good collections 

 of shells and corals have been made, which present, however, 

 no very peculiar features. 



The animals required for the food of man have thriven well 

 on Norfolk Island. From enquiries at the Commissariat, 

 I find that about the year 1846 there were 800 head of 

 cattle, 6000 to 7000 Leicester sheep, and 500 pigs. The 

 stock left when I was last at the Settlement amounted to 

 about 3000 or 4000 Leicester sheep and 700 cattle, chiefly 

 of the Devon and Hereford breed. The greater number of 

 these have been sold for conveyance to New Zealand, it is 



* Keppel, vol. 2, p. 245. 



