NEW SOUTH WALES. 
what we read of the jealoiify of the Portiiguefe Govern- 
ment refpedmg its dianaond mines, the more extra- 
ordinary. -.^ . ; ■ 
Proviiions were here ib cheap, that notwithibanding 
tlie allowance of meat was fixed by Governor Phillip at 
twenty ounces a day, the men were vi6liialled completely, 
rice, frefli vegetables, and firing included, at three-pence 
three-farthings a head. Wine v/as not at this feafon to 
be had, except from the retail dealers, lefs was therefore 
purchafed than would otherwife have been taken. Rum, 
however, was laid in ; and all fuch feeds and plants pro- 
cured as v/ere thought likely to flourifli on the coaft of 
New South Wales, particularly coffee, indigo, cotton, and 
the cochineal fig.'^=- As a fubftitute for bread, if it fliould 
become fcarce, one hundred facks of caffada were pur- 
chafed at a very advantageous price. ,. 
Caffada, the bread of thoufands in the tropical cli- 
mates, affords one of thofe inftances in vvhich the inge- 
nuity of man might be faid to triumph over the inten- 
tions of nature, were it not evidently the defign of Pro- 
vidence that we flioiild in all ways exert our invention 
and fagacity to the utmoft, for our ovv'n fecurity and fup- 
port. It is the root of a flirub called Cq//acia, or Cajfava 
Jatrophay and in its crude Hate is highly poifonous. By 
* CaSfus CochlnUifer, of Linnseu?.. 
F wafliing, 
