244 NEW SOUTH WALES. 



Dr. Osborne, R. N., has a farm likewise, near Lake Illawarra, 

 which is now divided by a narrow sand-beach from the sea. This 

 lake is shallow, and is about six miles long, by four miles wide. It 

 contains a great quantity of fish, principally mullet.* Large quanti- 

 ties of shells are to be seen on its banks. These are burnt into lime, 

 which is used both for building and as manure. On the borders of the 

 lake reside several fishermen, and it is a general resort for the natives. 

 Mullet, caught in large quantities, are salted and dried. 



Daisy Bank, the seat of Dr. Osborne, is about ten miles from 

 Woolongong. Here also our gentlemen met with that kind hospi- 

 tality which reigns throughout this country. This part of the district 

 is nearly all brought into cultivation. The mountain scenery is fine, 

 and a few very large trees are conspicuous objects in it. The side of 

 the mountain affords a good field for making botanical collections, as 

 it is not easily accessible to cattle. A large accession was made to 

 our collection of seeds. The woods were alive with birds, among 

 which were the white cockatoo, which collects in flocks, and does 

 infinite mischief to the wheat-fields. They are difficult to approach 

 in consequence of the good look-out kept by the old birds. The small 

 species of the kangaroo, called the wallaby, is found here, as are 

 large black and diamond snakes, lizards, black and white cockatoos, 

 and sand-leeches. The latter is much dreaded, as its bite is venomous, 

 and produces ulcers. It is very troublesome, crawling up and attach- 

 ing itself to the flesh, where it gloats upon the blood, and not unfre- 

 quently bursts from repletion. 



This district is level, and was thought to resemble some parts of our 

 own country, after the harvest was gathered in. Silicified wood is 

 very common in Illawarra, and many stumps of it are seen in passing 

 along the road. In some of them the texture of the wood is well 

 preserved; and so natural is their aspect, that at first sight they appear 

 as if they were now standing where they had originally grown. The 

 diameter of some of them is about two and a half feet, and the whole 

 mass is completely petrified. They are quite black, except where 

 bleached by exposure. 



The Illawarra district extends from Woolongong to Shoalhaven, and 

 is the most interesting portion of Australia to visit. In this small 

 compass is found some of the most remarkable of the sandstone scenery, 

 and there is also an opportunity of viewing a basaltic formation, which 

 is no where else to be found in the colony. 



Kiama is remarkable for the number of deep and wild caverns, 



* One of our gentlemen was assured by the fishermen that there were thirteen kinds of 

 fish in Illawarra Lake. 



