conceal dishonestly; but said he, I should like to have some to put into the ground, that I might see them jump up.
4th. We had a conference with the parties at variance, and endeavoured to soften down the asperities that had arisen between them, in consequence of a conscientious man having expected too much from others, not awakened like himself to the importance of acting in all things on religious principle, and having imbibed some prejudice against them, which had excited disgust on their part.
A large company of the native women took tea with us, at the Commandant's: they conducted themselves in a very orderly manner, and after washing up the tea-things, put them in their places, and showed other indications of advancement in civilization. They are gaining a taste for European provisions, particularly for milk and mutton.
5th. Another party of Aborigines breakfasted with us. We distributed among them some cotton handkerchiefs, and some tobacco, an article of which they are exceedingly fond, but the use of which they have learned from Europeans. Some of the women immediately commenced hemming the handkerchiefs, having learned this art from the wife of the Catechist. They presented us with some spears and shell necklaces in return. The Surgeon brought the new comers in a boat from Green Island, having first successfully assisted in getting the Shamrock off the sands, into deep water.—On the arrival of the new party, it was found that the husband of one, and the father of another, who had come hither before them, were deceased; but this did not, in these instances, produce much emotion.—Accompanied by the Commandant of the Settlement, the Master of the Shamrock, and an intelligent native, we visited the Grass-tree plains that extend toward the east coast. The soil is sandy and poor, and clothed with thin rigid herbage, and scattered, low Gum-trees, low scrub, and large Grass-trees, Xanthorrheea australis? Some of the last are from 5 to 7 feet high, and as many in circumference; they have leaves 3 to 4 feet long, and flower-spikes 5 to 10 feet high, thickly clothed with hard scales, and small, white, star-like flowers, except for about 1½ feet at the base, which is bare. All the trunks are charred from
