90 Meteorological Observations at Bendigo. 
14. The beautiful constellation represented in the accom- 
panying diagram I was fortunate enough to witness. It took 
place on the 4th November, 1853. 
During the summer season the mining population suffers 
from inflammation of the eyes; the cause of this evil 
may be attributed to a small kind of fly, which, having gone 
into the eye, sucks the moisture of that delicate organ, and 
causes a peculiar itching sensation ; to relieve this, the sufferer 
has recourse to rubbing the eye, which cannot fail to injure 
it. I believe that the great heat of the solar rays, 
reflected from the gold-fields and the numerous white tents, 
may be considered an additional source of injury to the eye. 
One of the chief causes of inflammation of the eyes may be 
the caterpillars. These creatures web themselves on trees. 
in the months of January and February, the time when 
the blight is most frequent, leaving behind them a great 
number of small hairs, covering the web as well as 
the wood. If this is used for domestic purposes, the 
hairs, coming in contact with the eye, either by rubbing 
it with the hand that handled the wood, or by other 
means, produces inflammation, exactly similar to what is 
produced in Europe by the migrating caterpillars. I never 
suffered in the eyes, as I was careful to take the precaution 
of smearing oil over my face, this being the best remedy to 
keep off insects. The aborigines of different countries are 
well aware of the useful application of oil; they smear and 
grease the whole of their bodies, to provide against being 
bitten by musquitoes and other insects. It is desirable 
to avoid touching the eyes with the bare dry finger; and 
veils and coloured eye preservers are therefore used at the 
Diggings as a means of protection. 
In the month of April, 1853, nearly all the dogs at Ben- 
digo were afflicted with the distemper, and I was informed 
that a great number of native dogs perished by the same 
cause. At the same time, the Bendigo population suffered: 
much from influenza and rheumatic pains. It is questionable 
whether man and beast did not suffer from the same cause. 
One great principle should be observed by every one resident 
in this colony, viz., to dress warm at night. To this effect an 
example is furnished to man by various animals indigenous 
to Australia; amongst others the opossum, which feeds dur- 
ing the cool nights on lofty trees. The effects of the sudden 
change of temperature is mostly felt by new arrivals, and by 
the less cautious of the mining population. During the heat- 
