XIX 
ASCENT OF MOUNT WELLINGTON 
477 
the interval of seven years, they mustered only fifty-four 
individuals ; and while each family of the interior of New South 
Wales, uncontaminated by contact with the whites, swarms 
with children, those of Flinders’ Island had, during eight years, 
an accession of only fourteen in number ! ” 
The Beagle stayed here ten days, and in this time I made 
several pleasant little excursions, chiefly with the object of 
examining the geological structure of the immediate neighbour¬ 
hood. The main points of interest consist, first, in some highly 
fossiliferous strata belonging to the Devonian or Carboniferous 
period ; secondly, in proofs of a late small rise of the land ; 
and lastly, in a solitary and superficial patch of yellowish lime¬ 
stone or travertin, which contains numerous impressions of 
leaves of trees, together with land-shells, not now existing. It 
is not improbable that this one small quarry includes the only 
remaining record of the vegetation of Van Diemen’s Land 
during one former epoch. 
The climate here is damper than in New South Wales, and 
hence the land is more fertile. Agriculture flourishes ; the cul¬ 
tivated fields look well, and the gardens abound with thriving 
vegetables and fruit-trees. Some of the farmhouses, situated 
in retired spots, had a very attractive appearance. The general 
aspect of the vegetation is similar to that of Australia ; perhaps 
it is a little more green and cheerful ; and the pasture between 
the trees rather more abundant. One day I took a long walk 
on the side of the bay opposite to the town : I crossed in a steam¬ 
boat, two of which are constantly plying backwards and forwards. 
The machinery of one of these vessels was entirely manufactured 
in this colony, which, from its very foundation, then numbered 
only three-and-thirty years ! Another day I ascended Mount 
Wellington ; I took with me a guide, for I failed in a first 
attempt, from the thickness of the wood. Our guide, however, 
was a stupid fellow, and conducted us to the southern and 
damp side of the mountain, where the vegetation was very 
luxuriant; and where the labour of the ascent, from the 
number of rotten trunks, was almost as great as on a mountain 
in Tierra del Fuego or in Chiloe. It cost us five and a half 
hours of hard climbing before we reached the summit. In 
many parts the Eucalypti grew to a great size, and composed 
a noble forest. In some of the dampest ravines tree-ferns 
