which bear the name of marshes or plains, but the latter term is often used in Tasmania to signify lands clear of trees, even where the surface is far from level.
When a place is first occupied by a settler, a hut of the simplest kind is formed, often like a mere roof resting on the ground; and when other needful things have been effected, one of upright logs is built, and covered with shingles. This is usually divided into two rooms; one of which is fitted up with broad rough shelves, for sleeping berths; and the other, which has a square recess for a fireplace, built of stones, at the outer end, and continued into a rude chimney a little higher than the roof, is used for a cooking and sitting room. The crevices between the logs either remain open, or are filled with wool or some other material. A square opening, closing with a shutter, admits light into each room, and short logs of wood or rude benches, serve for seats. Many families that have been brought up in England in respectable circumstances, live for several years in a hut of this description, until they can find time and means to build themselves a better habitation; and a hut of this kind is generally to be seen contiguous to a better house, and is occupied by the male servants, who are mostly prisoners.
Perhaps a chief reason why some persons make a better livelihood here than in England, is, because they submit to live at a much smaller expense. The original settlers having had free grants of land, subject only to a quit-rent, had also no rent to pay; but no free grants of land are now made. The lowest sum for which land is sold by the Government is £5 per acre. Although convict servants are sentenced to work without wages, they cost a settler in one way or another, from £20 to £25 a year, including maintenance, clothing, &c.
Agricultural operations are carried on in this country by means of oxen, horses being scarce. Cattle are bred in the bush, where they become very wild. Many of the settlers are expert in hunting them into enclosures, and subduing them to the yoke. Brush Kangaroos are numerous here on the more woody hills; and the Vulpine Opossum—the Common Opossum of this land—abounds. Both are injurious to the corn. The Opossums live in holes in the Gum-trees, and
