213 On Norfolk Island, dc. 



guava is everywhere plentiful, as well as the Physalis edulis, 

 or Cape gooseberry. A few orange trees may also be met 

 with. There is a tradition that the fruit of this tree was once 

 so abundant, and offered so much sustenance to absconders, 

 that the then Commandant, (Major Morrisett), ordered them 

 to be extirpated. Upon careful enquiry I find this statement 

 incorrect. Oranges never were abundant. An attempt was 

 once made to destroy the wild guava and lemon trees, but 

 their very abundance at the present day proves that the 

 effort was abortive. 



It may be concluded from the preceding observations, 

 that Norfolk Island offers every facility to the settlement and 

 welfare of a limited community. The chief want is that of 

 a harbour. But this might be obviated readily at a place 

 called Ball's Bay, a mile or two eastward of the Settlement. 

 A profitable fish erymight there be established. Many more 

 tropical or semi-tropical plants, such as the real bread-fruit, 

 cocoa-nut, yam, and mango, might be introduced ; while the 

 proper cultivation of those already there would yield surplus 

 supplies for exportation. Coffee, maize, sugar, cotton, 

 arrow-root, castor-oil, and cayenne have hitherto yielded 

 well, even with forced unwilling labour, and manual industry. 

 Much more may, therefore, reasonably be expected from 

 steady perseverance, aided by all the appliances of modern 

 husbandry. It must not be forgotten, however, that the 

 very prolificness of the soil offers great temptations to in- 

 dolence ; and that, unless this vice be steadily resisted, the 

 most virtuous people will rapidly, both socially and morally, 

 degenerate. 



