species of trees are
few, and, I am concerned to add, the wood universally of so bad a grain,
as almost to preclude a possibility of using it: the increase of labour
occasioned by this in our buildings has been such, as nearly to exceed
belief. These trees yield a profusion of thick red gum (not unlike the
'sanguis draconis') which is found serviceable in medicine, particularly
in dysenteric complaints, where it has sometimes succeeded, when all
other preparations have failed. To blunt its acrid qualities, it is
usual to combine it with opiates.

The nature of the soil is various. That immediately round Sydney Cove is
sandy, with here and there a stratum of clay. From the sand we have yet
been able to draw very little; but there seems no reason to doubt, that
many large tracts of land around us will bring to perfection whatever
shall be sown in them. To give this matter a fair trial, some practical
farmers capable of such an undertaking should be sent out; for the spots
we have chosen for experiments in agriculture, in which we can scarce
be supposed adepts, have hitherto but ill repaid our toil, which may be
imputable to our having chosen such as are unfavourable for our purpose.

Except from the size of the trees, the difficulties of clearing the land
are not numerous, underwood being rarely found, though the country
is not absolutely without it. Of the natural meadows which Mr. Cook
mentions near Botany Bay, we can give no account; none such exist about
Port Jackson. Grass, however, grows in every place but the swamps with
the greatest vigour and luxuriancy, though it is not of the finest
quality, and is found to agree better with horses and cows than sheep. A
few wild fruits are sometimes procured, among which is the small purple
apple mentioned by Cook, and a fruit which has the appearance of a
grape, though in taste more like a green gooseberry, being excessively
sour: probably were it meliorated by cultivation, it would become more
palatable.

Fresh water, as I have said before, is found but in inconsiderable
quantities. For the common purposes of life there is generally enough;
but we know of no stream in the country capable of turning a mill: and
the remark made by Mr. Anderson, of the dryness of the country round
Adventure Bay, extends without exception to every part of it which we
have penetrated.

Previous to leaving England I remember to have frequently heard it
asserted, that the discovery of mines wa