Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 2]
being gathered at different periods, prevented me from pointing out with certainty which they were. In another box is a few kinds of birds, but many of the specimens are not so good as what I would wish, by not having any materials for to cure them with, and from which I have had many good kinds spoiled as the flies here are so destructive. Though removing as much of the flesh and bones as possible is the best for preservation, yet it is attended by one bad consequence viz. the extension of the skin, but I find by practice that this may be very much overcome, and have reason to believe that a good and experienced stuffer, might take up the extended parts without being perceived. I have aimed at saving the eyes & tongue,and mentioning the sex, but unluckily the birds have often times been too much damaged by the shot. The fourth box contains a specimen of a Gum & a wood, which I think are likely to be of use in commerce but neither of these are good specimens. The gum is the produce of what is known in the Gardens by the name of Mimosa decurrens, which I should now propose to call gummifera. It is a tree of quick growth, and will flourish in a barren soil, and easily cultivated. In the summer it yields gum in great abundance, but from out I think it would produce much more. The wood I believe is the Metrosideros costata, when burned it yields the most ashes, particular the bark, of any wood I know of, and which makes a very strong Lye, but I shall give these both proper tryals. In the same box is contained some lichens & a few minerals, and some fruit of the Banksia pyriformis.
(a)
About 11 o clock at night on the 12th Feb. 1801, I was awaked by an Earthquake, which gave repeated shocks for about 3 minutes; though in other places not far from me, it was said not last above a few seconds. At Sydney I believe it was but a little felt, but at the Hawkesbury it was felt as severe as with me. It came from the east and proceeded to the west, that is, it began at the eastern end of the Land and went of at the western. It first began like thunder at a distance, and shortly after the floor began to move under me, with much violence as I think would have thrown me down had I been standing up or walking. Fortunately no farther damage was done than a few brick houses a little shattered, where it was felt with less violence than with me. Had the like happened in England, the consequent must have been fatal, for the buildings would have been very much shattered and many if thrown down. At this time the weather was hot & close, and the clouds very low. Thunder & lightning is very common, but of late we had not had any. I lament that I was asleep, as at first when it waked me, I was like as if I was possessed.