200 
Account of 
intensity of the poison in the different species, and how this 
may be modified bv the season of the year and other cir¬ 
cumstances—the exact time required for replacing an injured 
fang—their hybernation—mode of generation, &c., are all 
important desiderata. 
Were observations on the subject however but generally 
conducted throughout the country by those who feel an 
interest in the subject, and authentic communications made 
from personal observations, a copious mass of important, 
though isolated facts, would very soon be collected, from 
which a satisfactory digest might easily be made, embodying 
almost every point of interest in relation to the natural history 
of the snakes of Tasmania. 
Salt Water River, May 25, 1843. 
Art. ViII. Account of Macquarie Harbour . By T. J. 
Lempriere, Esq., D.A.C.G. 
[Continued from page US.] 
When Macquarie Harbour was first established as a penal 
settlement both men and women were sent there, but it was 
soon discovered that such a system could not continue. The 
grossest immorality could not fail to reign in a place where 
there were no means of keeping the sexes apart. Indeed 
this was but little attended to; for we find in one instance 
that four women were sent down to a man who was employed 
in burning lime near the heads, to assist him in collecting the 
shells, without even any provision for a separate hut. 
Numerous were the cases of immorality, but we will pass 
them over with the silent disgust they merit. The women, 
however, were gradually removed to Hobart Town), and order 
properly established. 
Whilst we condemn the system then adopted, we are far 
from considering the sending women to a penal settlement a 
