NEW SOUTH WALES. 167 



to wander about at night, which, with other suspicious movements, 

 had alarmed the natives, who, under the influence of their terrors, had 

 murdered him. 



Thus ended the useful life of one who had raised himself to eminence 

 by his own exertions, and had, by his virtues and scientific acquire- 

 ments, gained the esteem of all the pure and good of the colony, by 

 whom he will be long affectionately and honourably remembered. 



These grounds have many pleasant shady walks, and afford an 

 agreeable promenade for the inhabitants of Sydney ; and one of them 

 encircles the whole, with occasionally a rural seat and arbour.* 



The aspect of the country around Sydney is sufficient to prove that 

 New South Wales is very different, in its general features, from other 

 parts of the globe. This is chiefly owing to two causes : the aridity 

 of its climate, and the prevalence of sandstone rock. This rock may 

 be readily examined at the Heads of Port Jackson, and on the shores 

 of the many coves that surround this beautiful harbour. Its colour is 

 pale yellow or drab, and it lies in beds nearly horizontal and of various 

 thickness, whose upper surface, except where broken by ravines and 

 water-courses, forms a table-land. The average elevation in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Sydney is from three hundred and fifty to four hundred 

 feet. At this level it extends in gentle undulations to a great distance 

 inland. 



This arid soil yields but a scanty growth of vegetable products, 

 which, consisting of burnt pasture, and thinly-scattered trees and 

 shrubbery, give to the whole region a look of desolation. The grass 

 does not every where conceal the bare rock, and the thin soil supports 

 only a few T gum trees (Eucalypti), and bushes. Throughout the wide 

 plain there is little to relieve the eye, except here and there a small 

 cultivated spot. 



As I did not consider it necessary that any of the naturalists should 

 accompany the squadron on its southern cruise, they were left at 

 Sydney, with orders to visit such parts of the country as might appear 

 to offer the best opportunities for making collections in their respective 

 departments/)- This enabled me to obtain much information in rela- 



* At the end of the walk around the government domain, the following inscription is 

 calculated to excite a smile : "Be it recorded, that this road round the inside of the govern- 

 ment domain, called Mrs. Macquarie's Road, so called by the Governor on account of her 

 having originally planned it, three miles and three hundred and seventy-seven yards in 

 length, was finally completed on the 13th day of June, 181 6." 



Governor Macquarie has literally put his mark on the town of Sydney, where hardly a 

 single street, square, or public building can be passed, without seeing his name cut in stone. 



+ For orders, propositions of officers, and letters respecting their employment, see 

 Appendix XI. 



