Page:Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies.djvu/114

CHAPTER VII.

Discovery of V. D. Land.—Its position and character.—Aborigines.—Erroneous ideas of.—Attack upon.—Provocations.—Hostilities of.—Attempt to capture.—G. A. Robinson's Mission.—Settlement in Bass's Straits.—Flinders Island.—Productions.—Manners of the Xatives.—Dances.—Civilization.—Sealer and Child.—Breakwinds.—Songs.—Clothing.—Capacity.—Ornaments.—Sickness.—Birds, &c.—Excursion.—Cookery.—Dogs.—Mangroves.—Kangaroo Rat.—Bandicoot.—Rain.—Commandant's Hut.—"Boatswain," a Xative Woman.—Sealers.—Tasmanian Porcupine.—Wallowing in Ashes.—Gratitude.—Weapons.—Green Island.—Mutton Birds.—Music.—Tide-ripple.—Arrival at George Town.

Van Diemens Land was discovered by Abel Jansen Tasman, in 1842; he supposed it to be a part of the Australian Continent, and named it in honour of Anthony Van Diemen, at that time Governor General of the Dutch possessions in the East Indies. It was ascertained to be an island in 1798, by Dr. Bass, and taken possession of by the English in 1803, by Lieutenant Bowen. The first Lieutenant Governor arrived in 1804, and removed the seat of Government from the original settlement at Risdon, or Rest-down, on the east bank of the Derwent, to the present site, which he named Hobart Town, after Lord Hobart.

The island lies between 41° 20' and 43° 40' south latitude, and between 144° 40' and 148° 20' east longitude: its length is about 210 miles, from north to south, and its breadth 150 from east to west; it is very mountainous and covered with forest, which in many parts is extremely thick, but in others open and grassy. The original inhabitants, whose forefathers had occupied it from time immemorial, were of the Negro race. They were of moderate stature, dark olive colour, and had black, curly, woolly hair. They were few in