102 AUSTRALIA OR NEW HOLLAND. 



tiling becomes parched; all nature withers under their fiery- 

 influence ; vegetables, plants, herbs, are destroyed, and the 

 fields literally take fire. The ground becomes intensely 

 heated, and the fine dust is whirled into the air in such vast 

 clouds that the wayfarer is threatened with the same fate 

 that sometimes befalls the unlucky traveler in the deserts of 

 Africa. These are times which distress not only the grain- 

 merchant, but the market generally. Agriculture becomes 

 almost neglected, flocks and herds suffer for the want of sus- 

 tenance, and are no longer driven, and inland traveling is 

 rendered difficult; hence the supply of wool, provisions, and 

 indeed of evei^ marketable commodity, is most sadly di- 

 minished. 



In the course of time, when the wool-trade ceases to be as 

 attractive as now, no longer holding out such allurements to 

 the seekers after wealth, many articles will enter into exporta- 

 tion which are as yet but little attended to by agriculturists and 

 manufacturers. Wine will probably be one of the number, 

 the soil and climate being admirably adapted to the cultivation 

 of the grape, of which a great abundance is annually raised. 



With respect to mineral resources, this country is not with- 

 out them. Lead and iron have been found in considerable 

 quantities. Coal is plentiful, and used most extensively, as 

 well for comfort in cold weather as for manufacturing and 

 other purposes. It is inflammable, but emits an exceedingly 

 disagreeable smell, and before the appearance of flame throws 

 cut an immense deal of smoke. As the country becomes 

 explored other minerals* will be discovered, which may be 

 expected to form materials for future prosperity. 



* I see by the last accounts from Sydney that both copper and gold have been 

 discovered, and the former is said to be of a very superior quality. At Mount 

 Alexander a piece of gold was found, weighing 58 oz. 18 dwts 



