Page:Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies.djvu/148

112 boughs; others, that seem to have been in a state of decomposition for ages, have become overgrown with various ferns and shrubs.

As the distance from the sea increases, the Australian Myrtle and Sasafras, of dark dense foliage, become the prevailing trees. In these denser forests, tree-ferns form nearly the sole undergrowth, except the small, starry ferns, of low stature, of the genus Lomaria, that cover the ground thinly. Some of the tree-ferns have trunks 20 feet high. Their leaves are from 8 to 12 feet long, and the new ones, now forming, rise in the centre like elegant croziers.

This forest is an ascending, undulating ground, and is interrupted by a very few, small, grassy plains. One of these had recently been burnt by a few Aborigines still remaining in this neighbourhood. They burn off the old grass, in order that the Kangaroos may resort to that which springs up green and tender.

The road which has been cut through this forest, is so much shaded as to be kept constantly moist. It is impassable, except for pack-horses, for several months in the year; and many parts of it may be termed sloughs filled with tangled roots. Several brooks that pass through it, are crossed on bridges, formed of poles laid closely together, so as to make a compact platform.

On arriving at the Hampshire Hills, we received a warm greeting from G. W. Walker's relations, George and Mary Robson; who were rejoiced to see their relative in this sequestered spot, so far from their native land.