448 VAN DIEMEN’S LAND. [cHap, XIx 
intrepid exertions of Mr. Robinson, an active and benevolent 
man, whd fearlessly visited by himself the most hostile of the 
natives, the whole were induced to act in a similar manner. 
‘They were then removed to an island, where food and clothes 
were provided them. Count Strzelecki states,* that “at the 
epoch of their deportation in 1835, the number of natives 
amounted to 210. In 1842, that is after the interval of seven 
years, they mustered only fifty-four individuals; and, while each 
family of the interior of New South Wales, uncontaminated by 
contact with the whites, swarms with children, those of Flinders’ 
Island had during eight years, an accession of only fourteen in 
number !” 
The Beagle staid here ten days, and in this time I made se- 
veral pleasant little excursions, chiefly with the object of examin- 
ing the geological structure of the immediate neighbourhood. 
The main points of interest consist, first in some highly fossili- 
ferous strata, belonging to the Devonian or Carboniferous period ; 
secondly, in proofs of a Jate small rise of the land; and lastly, in 
a solitary and superficial: patch of yellowish limestone or tra- 
vertin, which contains numerous impressions of leaves of trees, 
together with land-shells, not now existing. It is not impro- 
bable that this one small quarry, includes the only remaining 
record of the vegetation of Van Diemen’s Land during one 
former epoch. 
The climate here is damper than in New South Wales, and 
hence the land is more fertile. Agriculture flourishes: the cul- 
tivated fields look well, and the gardens abound with thriving 
vegetables and fruit-trees. Some of the farm-houses, situated 
in retired spots, had a very attractive appearance. The general 
aspect of the vegetation is similar to that of Australia ; perhaps 
it is a little more green and cheerful; and the pasture between 
the trees rather more abundant. One day I took a long walk 
on the side of the bay opposite to the town: I crossed in a steam- 
boat, two of which are constantly plying backwards and forwards. 
The machinery of one of these vessels was entirely manufactured 
in this colony, which, from its very foundation, then numbered 
only three and thirty years! Another day I ascended Mount 
Wellington; I took with me a guide, for I failed in a first 
* Physical Description of New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land, p. 354, 
