blossoms like T. australis, but differing considerably from that species in foliage, was two feet in circumference, and reached the head of the tree that supported it, at about seventy feet from the ground, a species of Cissus; and some other climbers, were also very large. One of the Natives ascended a Cabbage Palm, and with a hatchet, cut off its head, which he soon stripped of leaves, to afford us the opportunity of tasting the heart. Not having that of the Seaforthia to compare it with, at the time, I could not decide that it was superior, though it is generally reputed to be so. The Natives informed us that they were not aware that the hearts of these Palms were wholesome, till White people came among them; they now form a considerable item of their food, in this part of the country. The Blacks are greatly afraid of being poisoned, by eating articles to which they have not been accustomed. Though sometimes pressed with hunger, they seem not to have tried several vegetable productions, likely to afford sustenance; and those of V. D. Land will not eat any kind of fish, but shell-fish, probably from fear of being poisoned by them. We halted at the Waterfall Brook, after descending a little from the summit of the mountain, and divided the residue of our provision, which, though ample for the number that we amounted to when we left Shoal Haven, was somewhat small for thirteen, but all appeared content, being made equal partakers. We passed a waterfall, reported to be 500 feet, from the top to the bottom, without being aware that we were near it. On descending, the country became sandy; Stringy Bark, and other upland species of Eucalyptus, as well as of Banksia, Hakea, Grevillea, and some of the Legumenose, of the sandstone districts, succeeded to the richer forest, and toward the conclusion of our journey, the country became more grassy. Some Pheasants and a Kangaroo were espied in the bush by the Natives, who were very cheerful companions. They were amply supplied with food, on arriving at the noble mansion of Charles Throsby, at Throsby Park, near Bong Bong, where we also were received with great hospitality.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Bong Bong.-Berrima.-Trees and Birds.-Marulan.-Ironed-gang.-Towrang. -Goulburn.-Hospital.-Goulburn Plain.-Menaro Plains.-Sheep-feeding.— Journey to Lumley.-Effects of Porter.-Aquatic Plants, &c.-Roads.-Travelling.-Penalties.-Arthurslee.-English Plants.-Wombat Brush.-White Ants. Return to Throsby Park and Bong Bong.-Sheep Shearing.-Mittagong. Bargo Brush.-Drunkenness.-Jarvis Field.-Brownlowe Hill.-Hot Winds.-Prisoner Shepherd.-Camden.-Seasons.-Hay.-Opossums.-Pursuits of Settlers.-Cobbity.-Influenza.-Winbourne.-Mulgoa.-Duneved.— Milking Wild Cattle.-The Vineyard.-Parramatta.-Pennant Hills.-Kissing Point.-Lunatic Asylum.-Return to Sydney.

10th mo. 5th. BEING kindly supplied with horses, by Charles Throsby, we visited the Ironed-gang at Berrima, and a neighbouring Road-party. The prisoners forming the Ironed-gang are employed in erecting a jail and courthouse. They have Bibles and Prayer Books lent to them, on First-days, by the military officer, who takes some pains in regard to their religious instruction. Berrima is upon a

new line of road, to the southern parts of the Colony. It is on a poor, sandy soil, but is better supplied with water than Bong Bong, which is now abandoned, as the site of a town, though in a richer country, and on basalt. We spent the evening pleasantly with the large family of Charles Throsby, whose wife was rescued from the New Zealanders, when a child, by Alexander Berry. They had destroyed and eaten the company of the ship, with the exception of the cabin-boy and herself; in consequence of the captain having beaten the son of one of their chiefs, when on the voyage, because he suspected him of stealing a silver spoon, that was probably thrown overboard, by accident. 6th. An aged man, named Wyld, who accompanied

Robert Brown, in his botanical researches in N. S. Wales. and V. D. Land, and who discovered the district of Illawarra, was sent with us as guide, to Black Bobs Creek, and to bring back the horses on which we rode, as we wished to pursue our journey southward, on foot, after visiting a Bridge and Road-party. This part of the Colony is about 2,000 feet above the level of the sea. The forest is open and grassy. Apples, Cherries and Gooseberries, thrive here, but it is too cold for Oranges and Lemons. From Black Bobs Creek to Paddys River, the soil is poor and sandy, and grass is scanty in the open forest, which is chiefly of Stringy Bark, White Gum, and Eucalyptus pulverulenta, the Peppermint-tree of this part of the country. The last seldom reaches fifty feet in height; it has a remarkably crabbed appearance, white, perfoliate leaves, and soft bark, very obnoxious to the effects of fire, so that most of the trunks are partially charred. Acacia homomalla, tenuissima, and another species, occur in this country, in which some of the birds of V. D. Land abound; such as the Piping Crow, Cracticus hypoleucus, the Jay or Black Magpie, Coronica fuliginosa, the Butcher Bird or Miner, Myzantha garrula, and the Rosella, Rosehill, or Nonpareil Parrot, Platycercus eximius. There are several sandstone rocks, and pools of water, near the road. From behind one of the former, persons have sometimes been shot by bushrangers; but their depredations have been greatly checked of late, by a more efficient police, and the stricter discipline of the Ironed-gangs, from which it is now difficult to escape. The short herbage, which characterizes the sheep lands of this Colony, became more abundant near Wingelow, where we were kindly received by a settler, to whom we had a letter of introduction.

7th. We visited an Ironed-gang at Marulan. The prisoners had lately been supplied with Bibles and tracts, by order of the Bishop of Australia. The Episcopal service is read to them on First-days, by the officer in charge. Prisoners who are not of good character, are assigned into service, in places remote from Sydney, in order that they may be separated more completely from their old associates. The

Marulan gang consists of such as have committed offences after such assignment. They present strong marks of depravity in their countenances, and not a few have defectively formed heads. This circumstance, which is not uncommon among convicts, and is probably among the causes of their turpitude, ought, in some points, at least, to be taken into account; some of them appear to be in a state bordering on insanity or idiotism. Had they yielded to a good influence, their untowardness would probably have been softened or diminished; beyond a doubt, it has been aggravated by yielding to evil. Their case is a very affecting one, and their moral responsibility must be left to the Judge of all the earth. Here the punishment to which they are subjected, for misconduct in the gang, is flagellation; and in some instances they have received, from 600 to 800 lashes, within the space of eighteen months, at the rate of not more than fifty lashes for one offence! The Ironedgangs in this Colony may now be said to be placed under a rigid, military discipline, and kept closely guarded, day and night, by soldiers. No smoking is allowed among them: they are kept closely to work, at least, that is the case with such as are stationed on the roads, in the interior, and are locked up in caravans, from sunset to sunrise.

After leaving Marulan, the country for about ten miles, was very poor, and covered with low Gum-trees, and very thin grass. It then improved; and on emerging from the forest, at the location of a settler, on a branch of the Wollondilly River, the corn fields looked beautifully green. Our track now led, for about three miles, through a narrow hollow, of good soil, in which there was a chain of pools; it then continued eight miles further, most of the way, through deep hollows, and over low hills, of conglomerate sandstone, basalt, or dirty white quartz, mixed with red or brown, breaking into cubic gravel. We passed a few small huts, forming the village of Towrang, before reaching Goulburn or Strahallen, at the junction of the Mulwarie Ponds, and Wollondilly Rivers. The old town of Goulburn consisted of a court-house, of slabs, covered

with bark, a lock-up house, a few huts, occupied by the mounted police and constables, a cottage of roughly cut timber, and a small inn, affording tolerable accommodation for such a place, as well as a better house or two, at a short distance.

8th. A neighbouring settler, and the Police-magistrate, called upon us. From the latter, we obtained leave to hold a meeting in the court-house: he also accompanied us to the new township, about a mile distant, where a few scattered buildings of brick, and others of wood, had been erected. One of the latter is an hospital, affording accommodation for about thirty patients. Like other places of this kind, in remote situations, it was pretty fully occupied, by stock-men, and others of the lower order; victims. of immorality, the scourge of this class, in sequestered parts of the Colony, frequented by the Aborigines. Goulburn Plain is an extensive down, besprinkled with small herbs, and thin grass, and clear of trees, for several miles. In some places, it runs into gentle undulations, with thinly scattered trees, such as Weeping Gum, White Gum, Box, and Bastard Box. On the margin of the plain, there are woody hills of white, quartzose rock. The plain, and low hills, afford excellent pasturage for sheep, but as each sheep requires from two to three acres, or more, for its support, a large extent of land is required for a considerable flock.

9th. The meeting in the Court House was attended by only seventeen persons. The population of the neighbourhood is much scattered; and many shew a much stronger inclination to resort to a public-house than to a place of worship. In the afternoon, we had a religious interview with the establishment of a young settler, who emigrated a few years since, and has a fine property, and a good flock of sheep; and who has read and thought more than many, both on natural and religious subjects.

10th. Near a place, where Mountain Limestone crops out, by the side of a chain of ponds, we fell in with a tribe of Blacks, resting by a fire, under the shelter of some bushes; two of whom frequently do turns of work, in hewing wood, drawing water, &c. for the settler at whose house