Extract of a Letter from Mr Geo Bass to Lieut. Colonel Patterson [sic]...Reliance, Sydney Cove...', 20 August 1797 (Series 27.13) - No. 0003

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is to distant appearance a Cabbage, but upon a close inspection the Leaves are found to be Fern & beautiful Fern.  There were many Trees that I am certain have never yet been known in this Country, one, the most remarkably new, was about 12 feet in height, its Leaves large, broad & hairy or rather woolly, I think their shape would be called cordate & the smaller branches of it coverd most thickly with long sharp prickles, well I remember them for in the blindness of my eyes I seizd one of the branches & was handsomely repaid for my hasty curiosity by a handfull of them.