188 



WATER GUM TKEES, 



beyond tlm ^bt^^ii^dged limits of the rolony, 

 nltlioii<>*h niimoroiis rattle sIhm-ji stutioTis 



extend to a great distance further. On the 

 Imks of this fine stream, besides num^^^fe 

 &m0fing ^i?tt%«, ^ el^gftttt **8wantp oaks*' 



towered to t]ie elevation of fift}- or sixty f( et, 

 their dark fiiiform folia<>:e t^iviiio- them the clia- 

 racter of tlie larch : besides these, (which were 

 far the Biost numerous,) there were some enor- 

 iaci«&tre€SM>f tkeMmttyptmgtaxm^ called *^water 



gum" by the colonists ; tlicy attain from ninety tO 

 onehiindredfcet iiilieight, with a diameter of from 

 six to eig:lit feet ; the wood is of a reddish colour, 

 and very hard : ou account of tlie latter quality, it 

 h Ies{» fre^ttently used, being difficmit to eiit. 

 enrdjong {Hihiscus) also grew about the limestone 

 xoeks in tlie vicinity, and was readily to be dis- 

 tiug-nished from other trees by the lighter and 

 more vivid green of its foliage. A number of 



ibmmfyj^ atsdl e^retvt^ Ikmi^ Mto 

 giving reason to 'atippose so, grew in the viei- 

 uitv of this river ; ainonn; others, tiie sow 

 thistle, " (tiic young tops of wltich are eaten by the 

 natives just before the plant adoitaem^ ^ blos- 

 som,) a small p^VWf it^'cmw^t}^ atutnex 

 or dock (JZ. tmdfdm f) geranium, and " shcp- 



