Narrative Of The Overland Expedition Of The Messrs. Jardine, From Rockhampton To Cape York, Northern Queensland By Frank Jardine And Alexander Jardine
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The Scrubs Are Formed Of An Immense Variety Of Trees
And Shrubs, Far Too Numerous For Me Toname, Were I Able To Do So.
Some Of Them Have Fine Foliage, And Bear Handsome Flowers And
Agreeably Tasted Fruit, And Would Form Most Ornamental Additions To
Our Southern Gardens And Pleasure Grounds.
Several species of the
numerous climbing plants produce a fine and strong fibre, from which
the natives make their fishing lines.
Some fine varieties of palm
are found on the moister lands near the creeks, two especially
elegant, a 'Seaforthia' and a 'Caryota'. A wild banana, with small
but good fruit, is also found in such localities. On the open
grounds the bloodwood, Moreton Bay ash, and a strong growing acacia
are the principal trees. Timber for building is scarce, and of very
indifferent quality. The iron-bark and pine are unknown here.
5. The soil on these grounds is a reddish loam, more or less sandy,
and thinly covered with a coarse ironstone gravel. Much of the
ironstone has a strong magnetic property - so much so as to suspend
a needle; and it was found a great inconvenience by Mr. Surveyor
Wilson, from its action on the instruments. As the land descends,
the soil becomes more sandy. Near the creek patches with a
considerable mixture of vegetable loam are found, which would be
suitable for the growth of vegetables, bananas, etc. The grass is
generally long and coarse, and soon after the rainy season ceases
becomes, under the influence of the strong south-east winds, withered
and dry. Horses and cattle keep their condition fairly, but sheep do
not thrive; the country is quite unsuited to them. Goats may be kept
with advantage; and pigs find an abundant supply of food in the
scrubs and swamps.
6. In the Zoology of the district, the careful researches of Mr.
M'Gillivray - the naturalist attached to H.M.'s surveying ship
Rattlesnake - have left little room for the discovery of many
positive novelties. I have, however, been able to note many
interesting facts in the economy and habits of the birds, especially
such as relate to their migration. Several of the species found here
are season visitors of New South Wales, and it is interesting to
compare the times of their arrival and departure in this place with
those in the southern colony.
7. The animals afford small variety. The dingo, or native dog, four
species of the smaller kangaroos, and two other marsupials are found.
One, an elegant little squirrel-like opossum, striped lengthways with
black and white, I believe to be new.
8. The birds are more plentiful. My collection comprises more than
one hundred species of land birds, many of them remarkable for beauty
of plumage, and peculiarity of form, structure, and habit. Among
them the most remarkable are the great black macaw, ('Microglossus
Atterrimus') the magnificent rifle bird, ('Ptiloris Magnifica') and
the rare and beautiful wood kingfisher, ('Tan Ts-ptera Sylvia'). The
latter first made its appearance here on the 30th of November last.
On the afternoon and night of the 28th and the 29th of that month
there was a heavy storm of rain, with wind from the north-east, and
the next morning the bush along the shore was ringing with the cries
of the new arrivals.
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