24 TASMANIAN FORESTS: THEIR BOTANY AND ECONOMICAL VALUE. 
either by cutting fresh trees, or by using the stems of fern trees 
either as flights of steps or pathways. Thus, perhaps, the scrub 
will be penetrated for half a mile, and the huge and lofty timber 
ill be seen rising on every side. The scene is one of peculiar 
beauty. Dull green is the light, and the perfect stillness and 
na is disturbed by nothing but the distant rustling of leaves 
ar overhead, the sound of some woodman’s axe, or the peculiar 
population, they are simple and innocent and wonderfull acces- 
sible to religious impressions and teaching. The gl 
are able to earn about 2s. 6d. or 3s. a day, while men can make 
