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This subject has been so well treated, and the various species of
animals, &c. have been so accurately described, by those who have
treated on the history of this colony, that it would be superfluous
in me to re-tread the ground which has been already so ably trodden.
I shall therefore content myself with describing the few natural
productions of the country of New Holland, which have been
discovered subsequent to the latest publication on the subject, and
concerning which, consequently, no information of an accurate and
public nature has yet been transmitted to this country. The
exploration of the works of nature in this immense tract of the
universe, is however still incomplete; and I have no doubt but the
lapse of a few years will tend greatly to the augmentation of the
knowledge we now possess on this interesting subject, and will prove
the fertile source of new delight and instruction to the mind which
can derive enjoyment from that pure source, the contemplation of
nature in her varied and astonishing works.
The Koolah, or Sloth, a singular animal of the Opossum species,
having a false belly, was found by the natives, and brought into the
town alive, on the 10th of August, 1803. This is a very singular
animal; for when it ascends a tree, at which it is astonishingly
expert, it will never quit it until it has cleared it of its leaves.
It is mostly found in the mountains and deep ravines to the
southward and northward of Broken Bay, and the natives instantly
discover its concealment by observing the leaves of the Gum-tree
eaten off, this being the tree which it usually selects. It is
astonishingly indolent, and is uniformly found with a companion,
locked in each other's arms, as it were. Its claws are very strong,
and are of material service in assisting it to climb trees; its
length from eighteen inches to two feet; and two stuffed specimens
are to be seen in Mr. Bullock's Museum.
Latterly also, a species of the Hyena has been found at Port
Dalrymple, which is extremely ferocious in appearance, has a
remarkably large mouth, is striped all over, very strongly limbed,
and its claws strong, long, and sharp. This animal is likewise of
the Opossum kind, having, like the generality of subjects found in
New Holland, a false belly. Notwithstanding its apparent ferocity,
it has never yet ventured to attack any human being, but has
confined its ravages to sheep and poultry, amongst which it has
committed frequent and very serious depredations. No one of these
animals, I believe, has hitherto been brought over to England,
either alive or dead, since their native fierceness renders them
less easy of capture than the Koolah.
Flying Mice are likewise found, in considerable numbers, in this
country, of a very handsome appearance, and also of the Opossum
species. The tail of this interesting little animal resembles a
feather; its belly is white, and its back brown; and it is covered
with a down as soft as satin. It flies like an Opossum. This subject
is much regarded for its beauty.
The Porcupine Ant-eaters are found in most parts of the country, and
are esteemed very good eating; they burrow in the earth, and have a
tongue of remarkable length, which they put out of their mouth, and
the ants immediately crowd upon it, as if lured by some particular
attraction, and when it appears to be pretty well covered, it is
drawn in with rapidity, and the insects are expeditiously
swallowed.--Stuffed specimens of these are also to be seen in the
Museum of Mr. Bullock.
Black and white mottled Fern tree was found at the head of Lane
Cove, by Colonel Paterson, about five years since; but it does not
run to any considerable size. It is esteemed a very handsome wood
for the purposes of veneering.
The Spice tree has also been found to the southward: It is a very
strong aromatic, and possesses a more pungent quality than pepper.
This tree produces a berry, which, as well as the bark, is of a very
powerful spicy nature.
Fustic has been discovered at Newcastle--a wood which makes the
finest yellow dye; but it has been hitherto confined to New South
Wales. Indigo was also found in different parts of the country; but,
after a thorough trial of its properties by a French gentleman of
much patience and experience, as well as by some other individuals
of research, it was found impossible to derive any benefit from it.
Native green currants grow wildly, and make an uncommonly fine
jelly. A wild cherry is also found in the settlement, growing with
the stone on the outside, of a red color, but nearly unfit to eat;
as also a wild fig, equally nauseous, full of seed, but eaten by the
natives. Strawberries grow to fine perfection; but no English
currant, gooseberry, or cherry trees, are to be seen in the country:
Some were brought from England by Captain Kent, of the royal navy,
and were in a flourishing state, with some gingers, from Rio de
Janeiro, when a fire happened upon that gentleman's farm, and
consumed the whole, which has been a very great loss to the colony.
Pines, far exceeding in size those of England, are now growing
there, but they are scarce; melons, on the contrary, are very large
and plentiful. Botany Bay greens are procured in abundance; they
much resemble sage in appearance, and are esteemed a very good dish
by the Europeans, but despised by the natives. The bark of a tree
called Carajong, which grows like a willow, is manufactured into
ropes of considerable strength. A single nectarine tree only has
been known to bear fruit, which is in the Government Garden. Some
coffee trees were planted by a Frenchman (Mons. Declambe), but he
unfortunately died before he could bring them to perfection.
The shrubs and plants of this country are all evergreens, and
numbers of them are to be seen, covered with beautiful blossoms, at
all seasons of the year. Jeraniums flourish in such abundance, that,
in various parts of the settlement, they are made into hedges, and
are so thick as to be almost impenetrable; they are always in leaf
and flower, and emit an odor of the most fragrant nature, perfuming
the surrounding atmosphere.
Cedar, and coals, of a very fine quality, are the produce of the
Newcastle district, and are procured with very little trouble. Manna
has also been found near Port Dalrymple, made by the locusts on the
trees, from which it drops in very considerable quantities. But the
most prizable subjects which have been discovered here are, the
valuable stones; of which the white, yellow, and large brilliant
Topazes, are considered of far greater worth than those which are
produced in any part of the Brazils; since I was informed, when at
Rio Janeiro, in the month of August, 1809, by a number of gentlemen
of the best information, amongst whom were the Marquis de Pomball
and the Judge Consalvadore, that none which had been found on that
coast, could bear a comparison with those of New Holland.
The other animals of this country; the numerous, curious, and
beautiful birds, which abound there; and the various reptiles which
have been discovered, have been already sufficiently described: More
of the latter, however, have subsequently been discovered to be of a
venomous nature than was formerly conjectured; and the bite of
several species of the Coluber, or Snake, have proved, in various
instances, fatal, in the course of a very few minutes after the
wound has been received. It is to be wished that some mode of cure
could be discovered.--It is worthy of remark, that at Norfolk
Island, a spot where a settlement was made, and which has been
subsequently evacuated, about three hundred leagues from the nearest
coast of New South Wales, no reptiles of any description are to be
found; while at Phillip Island, only seven miles from Norfolk
Island, several species of reptiles exist in abundance, such as the
Centipede, Tarantula, &c.
The Present Picture Of New South Wales, 1811 |
