The

Gastrodia sesamoides, or the Native Potato-see page 119. genera Pterostylis, Caladenia, Microtis, Prasophyllum, Diuris, Thelymitra, &c. bear small bulbs; they are generally diffused over the open and thinly-wooded parts of the Colony.

Nat. Ord. ASPHODELEE. Asphodel family.
Xanthorrhoea australis? Grass Tree.

The base of the inner leaves of the Grass-tree is not to be despised by the hungry. The Aborigines beat off the heads of these singular plants by striking them about the top of the trunk with a large stick; they then strip off the outer leaves and cut away the inner ones, leaving about an inch and a half of the white tender portion, joining the trunk: this portion they eat raw or roasted; and it is far from disagreeable in flavour, having a nutty taste, slightly balsamic. There are some other species of grasstree in the Colony, the base of the leaves of which may also be used as food: those of the Dwarf Grass-tree, Xanthorrhœa humilis, which is abundant about York Town, may be obtained by twisting the inner leaves firmly together, and pulling them forcibly upwards; but care is required not to cut the fingers, by slipping the hand. The different species of Xanthorrhea are only found on the poorest soil, and usually in quartzose sand, in very open situations.

Astelia Alpina. Mountain Astelia.

This plant forms large patches on the summits of mountains, and has light-green, silky leaves springing from the root, and covered underneath with a white down. The fruit is red, of a sweet taste, growing in the centre of each plant, and about the size of a large pea.

Nat. Ord. CYPERACEE. Cyperus family.

Lepidosperma gladiata. Broad-leaved Lepidosperma.

The blanched portion of the base of the inner leaves of some rushes, and of this sedgy plant, which grows on the sand-hills of the coast, and has the mature leaves an inch wide, and of a deep green, are eatable, and of a nutty flavour. The flowers of this plant, to the eye of a common observer, resemble those of rushes. They grow in clusters, on a stem as flat and broad as the leaves.

The most extensively diffused, edible root of V. D. Land, is that of the Tara-fern. This plant greatly resembles Pteris aquilina, the Common Fern, or Brake, of England; and, like it, throws up its single stems at short distances, covering great extents of light or rich land. The Tasmanian plant is Pteris esculenta, and is known among the Aborigines by the name of Tara. The inhabitants of the South Sea Islands call a variety of esculent seeds and roots by this name. Pteris esculenta is known among the European inhabitants of the Colony, by the name of Fern, in common with many other plants of the same tribe; none of which, however, spread over extensive portions of open land in the same manner. It varies in height from a few inches to several feet, according to the richness of the soil in which it grows; and in some parts of the Colony, especially on Table Cape, it is so tall as to conceal a man on horseback. The root is not bulbous, but creeps horizontally, at a few inches below the surface of the earth, and where it is luxuriant, attains to the thickness of a man's thumb. Pigs feed upon this root where it has been turned up by the plough; and in sandy soils, they will themselves turn up the earth in search of it. The Aborigines roast this root in the ashes, peel off its black skin with their teeth, and eat it with their roasted kangaroo, &c. in the same manner as Europeans eat bread. The root of the Tara-fern possesses much nutritive matter; yet it is to be observed, that persons who have been reduced to the use of it, in long excursions through the bush, have become very weak, though it has prolonged life. Whether this arose from an insufficient supply, from eating it raw, or from some other cause, is doubtful. It is quite certain, that when this root is grated, or reduced to a pulp by beating, and mixed with cold water, a large quantity of fecula, resembling arrow-root, is precipitated. This adheres to the bottom of the vessel, and may easily be prepared for use by pouring off the water and floating matter, adding fresh water, stirring up the white powder, and again allowing it to settle. It may then be cooked by boiling, or the powder may be spread on cloths and dried in the sun, or hung up in linen bags where there is a free circulation of air.

Cybotium Billardieri. Tree Fern.

The native Blacks of the Colony used to split open about a foot and a half of the top of the trunk of the Common Tree-fern, and take out the heart, a substance resembling a Swedish turnip, and of the thickness of a man's arm. This they also roasted in the

ashes, and eat as bread; but it is too bitter and astringent to suit an English palate. It is said that the Aborigines preferred the heart of another species of tree-fern, Alsophila australis, found at Macquarie Harbour, and in other places on the northern side of V. D. Land. The tree-fern is very generally diffused over the Colony, in humid, umbrageous ravines, and also to the southward and westward, growing more extensively in the dense forests, where the climate is moist, as at the Huon River, on the sides of mountains, and towards Emu Bay and the Hampshire Hills.

Nat. Ord. FUNGI. Fungus family.

Agaricus campestris? Common Mushroom.

This, which seems to be precisely similar to the Common Esculent Mushroom of England, needs no description. It is very plentiful in many parts of the Colony, and has a fine flavour.

Mylitta Australis. Native Bread.

This species of tuber is often found in the Colony, attaining to the size of a child's head: its taste somewhat resembles boiled rice. Like the heart of the Tree-fern, and the root of the Native Potato, cookery produces little change in its character. On asking the Aborigines how they found the Native-bread, they universally replied, "A Rotten Tree." On the dry, open hills about Bothwell, it is to be detected in the early part of summer, by the ground bursting upwards as if with something swelling under it, which is this fungus.

For another esculent fungus, see page 119.

In closing this list of those vegetable productions of Tasmania, which can in any way be rendered available for the sustenance of man, it may be remarked, that not one of them is of sufficient value to be worthy of the attention of the agriculturist or the horticulturist.

APPENDIX.

E.

Extract from a REPORT, on the STATE of the CHAIN-GANGS, and ROAD-PARTIES in VAN DIEMENS LAND. By JAMES BACKHOUSE and GEORGE W. WALKER.

To the Lieutenant Governor, GEORGE ARTHUR.

Having visited all the Chain-gangs and Road-parties in V. D. Land, we proceed to make a report upon their State, Discipline, &c. according to the request of the Lieutenant Governor.

The State of the Chain-gangs and Road-parties is such as to render them effective as means of punishment, but not equally so as regards reformation. The privations experienced in them are keenly felt by the Prisoners; yet, for want of discipline and instruction, these privations have a tendency to produce recklessness of character.

Attention to prevent persons in these gangs, and road-parties from earning money, by employing the time allowed them for washing their clothes, &c. in the service of Settlers, or other persons, has had a beneficial effect. Before this measure was carried into operation, the money which some of the prisoners earned, was a bonus to them, to bear the privations of their situation, and an inducement to some of the more vicious, to prefer a Road-party to private assigned-service.

In most of the Chain-gangs and Road-parties, there is a great want of classification, A large number of persons are usually crowded together in one hut, or room, and those who would willingly conduct themselves in an orderly manner, are kept in a state of excitement by those who are determined not to care for

their situation; and who continually keep up noise and other disturbance, to prevent their own minds from dwelling on the circumstances in which they are placed.

There is, in most of the gangs, and parties, a want of attention to the state of their lodging. Whatever the previous character of the prisoners may have been, they are indiscriminately crowded together in their lodging places, in a way by no means calculated to preserve a sense of decency, where it has not been previously extinguished.

At present, the arrangements of the huts, in some of the parties, is such, that, notwithstanding the attention of the watchmen, if a man only be present at the muster, morning and evening, he would have no great difficulty in being absent during the night. The frequent, petty depredations, committed upon the neighbouring Settlers, but too plainly prove how often such absence occurs.

Absentees from the Road-parties, on predatory excursions, in the day time, are not easily detected, in consequence of these Road-parties being stationed in the Bush, and not having any boundary marked to their liberty, when not at work; and from the creeks at which they wash, &c. often being out of sight of the huts. Were the boundaries stockaded, or even marked by a post and rail fence, beyond which it should be considered an offence for any man to be found, out of work hours, without proper authority, it might be attended with advantage.

Great evil arises from a half-day being allowed in a week, for washing and repairing clothes. If the men be at all diligent, they have no occasion for this amount of time, for these purposes; and many of them, where they are located in the Bush, for want of having it properly occupied, waste it in other objects; strolling to a distance, often to the great annoyance of the neighbouring settlers; neglecting also, the objects for which it is allowed. Thus, in one party we observed many of the men on the Sabbath morning, washing their shirts, and attending to other secular concerns, which ought to have been done on the previous afternoon.

In the Launceston Penitentiary, experience proves how much time may be saved, by appointing a few men to wash for a party, during the week, and how much their proper comfort may be propromoted by having a change of clothes, so as to admit of this arrangement. In this case, two men employed in washing, during six days, save the labour of 200 men for a half-day. This arrangement also greatly promotes cleanliness, and prevents the men from getting into mischief.