246 DESCRIPTION OF NORFOLK ISLAND. 
barley, wheat, and rye, grow on the higher and 
more level land. In my time the commandant, 
J. Price, Esq., introduced the cocoa-nut tree 
and planted orange- trees in all directions; which, 
doubtless, before this, have brought forth fruit 
to perfection. Thousands of acres are in high 
cultivation ; and much more of the island can be 
speedily reclaimed, and made available for any 
purpose. Fortunately, too, there are a number 
of capital stone-built houses, really large and 
handsome buildings, which would not disgrace 
our large cities* and plenty of store-houses, 
granaries, barns, &c, with a neat chapel, capable 
of holding a thousand persons ; not to mention 
another similar building, formerly used by the 
Roman Catholics for divine service. Indeed, 
I should think it might be designated an island 
of palaces, compared with Pitcairns Island, and 
its accommodations. Besides tools, and other 
implements of husbandry, now in use by the 
convict population, there is a capital stock of 
cows, sheep, horses, pigs, and poultry, which 
would be invaluable to a new community, 
" There are plenty of fish to be caught at all 
seasons : salmon, herrings, trumpeter, king-fish, 
snapper, guard-fish, and mullet ; some of which 
are very delicate and delicious, and all eatable : 
while in the fresh water streams, which inter- 
sect the island in all directions, there are mag- 
nificent eels, weighing from one to seven pounds. 
There is doubtless great danger in fishing from 
the rocks which stud the coast, as the sea 
often rises, in a moment, to the height of seven 
or ten feeti and the drawback, or receding 
