Chap. XII.— B. S.] NEW HOLLAND IN EUROPE. 207 
higher degree of civilization than the miserable abori¬ 
gines who are now disappearing in Australia. 
Bearing in mind that, at one period of the earth’s 
history, there flourished in Europe a vegetation very 
similar, not to say identical, to that still beheld in Aus¬ 
tralia, but that the whole of it has been swept away, to 
make room for other vegetable forms, leaving no trace 
behind except what is recorded in the great stone- 
book of nature,—New Holland is highly instructive. 
It is a faithful picture of what the aspect of our flora 
must have been ages ago; and on paying a visit to 
Australia we are, as it were, transporting ourselves 
back to ante-historical periods. The effect which 
such an inspection produces on the mind is very sin¬ 
gular. It kindles in us (and I speak from personal 
experience) feelings of curiosity, but no sympathy. 
We delight in bright green foliage, sweet-smelling 
flowers, and fruits with some kind of taste in them. 
But we have here none of all these. The leaves are of 
a dull, often brownish, green, and without any lustre, 
the flowers are scentless, and the fruits, without any 
exception, are tasteless and insipid. Is the whole of 
this vegetation, and the animals depending upon it for 
support, to disappear before the continent becomes a 
fit abode for the white man ? 
Captain Pirn found that I had originated the idea 
of forming a settlement in the vicinity of the Chon- 
tales and Javali properties. In this plan he cordially 
concurred, and in April, 1867, he succeeded in ob¬ 
taining a decree or authorization from the Govern¬ 
ment of Nicaragua for founding a town, which he 
