1 799-1 OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 4n 



ous to the water, rather than of thofe fituated in the vicinity of the 

 chains. 



The quality of the ground, taking it in the aggregate, was- much 

 fuperior to that of the borders of any of the falt-water inlets of New 

 South Wales, Weftern Port excepted. The vegetable mould was, 

 however, found to be of no great depth, and was fometimes, perhaps 

 advantageoufly, mixed with 1m all quantities of fand. 



The beft of the foil was found upon the fides of floping hills, and in 

 broad vallies between them. Some parts, that were low and level,, 

 had a peat-like furface, bounded by fmall tracts of flowering fhrubs and 

 odoriferous plants, that perfumed the air with the fragrance of their 

 oils*. Thefe retained, in general, the appearance of thofe in New 

 South Wales ; while they were, in reality, very different. The rich 

 and vivid colouring of the more northern flowers, and that foft and 

 exquifite gradation of tints, for which they are fo fmgularly diftin- 

 guifhed, hold with thofe here, but in a lefs eminent degree. The two 

 countries prefent a perfect fimilarity in this, that the more barren 

 fpots are the mod gaily adorned. The curious florid and fcientific 

 botanift would find ample fubjecl: of exultation in their different re- 

 fearches in Port Dairy mple. 



Except in thefe places, the grafs grows not in tufts, but covers the 

 land equally with a fhort nutricious herbage, better adapted, poffibly, 

 to the bite of fmall than of large cattle. The food for the latter grows 

 in bottoms of vallies and upon the damp flats. A large proportion of 

 the foil promifed a fair return to the labours of the cultivator, and a 

 leffer enfures an ample reward ; but the greater part would, per- 

 haps, be more advantageoufly employed if left for pafturage, than 

 if thrown into cultivation ; it would be poor as the one, but rich as 

 the other. 



* In this particular they differ from the flowering fhrubs of New South Wales ; few of 

 which, beautiful as they were in other refpefts, were found to poffefs the fmalleft particle 

 ©f odour. 



3 p Water 



