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[Page 4]
improbable but the plants that grew far inland towards the head of Hawkesbury river, may be found a little way from Broken Bay. I have seen some plants growing at Western Port, and afterwards met with the same at Bajalin, which may be considered quite inland. And moreover, when Mr Brown looked over my specimens, he recognized several that he had met with upon the coast, and which I should have consider them entire strangers to where he had seen them, as I had got them inland, and to what would be naturally led to suspect, in quite a different situation.
If a view of limestone of a large scale, or a great leaf could be discovered, then we might expect a total change. I have heard nothing more about the old broken winded mare that I informed you of in my last, which I sent by the French ship Naturalist. I have received the thermometer by Mr. Inman for the favor of all which I return you thanks. I in general enjoy a good health, excepting at times being troubled with the rheumatism, which I must natural expect according to my way of life. And the late diet of the colony has weakened my wrist. Mr Suttor has got the better of his complaint, but was afraid at one time that he was past recovery. I hope that you enjoy a better health that what you have of late, and that you may live to that age, when the colony will be truly represented in a happy and prosperous state & entirely freed from those incumbrances that have checked its prosperity entirely for the sake of self interest.
I am as I always mean to be with the utmost
fidelity, your obedient humble Sert.
George Caley
Parramatta
April 28th 1803
P .S. Feb 4 at ½ past 2 P.M. Thermometer in the shade was 105, and a stiff SSE breeze. On removing it into the wind it fell to 100. Wind varying to S.E. observed at Parramatta. I have since compared the same thermometer with the one that you have lately sent, and they coincide. But a few days previous to this I think it would have rose much higher, but then I was unable to see one.
I must request you to send me another ream of brown paper, though I have plenty at present, for to use in sending home specimens, yet I am obliged to keep so much in use for changing the specimens with, as they are so liable to be infested with insects. Or I think the common shop paper, which sells at the chandler's shop retail for about 3d per quire is preferable to any sort that I have asked for not harboring vermin. But I am afraid that the sheets of this are smaller than those which your plants are glued upon in the Herbarium. Any duplicates that are among the present which I have sent that are of some use to you, I must beg the favor of you putting on one side for my own Hortus Siccus.
The Blue Mountains here so called are far from being high hills. The highest hill that I have yet seen I can ascend in 20 minutes, or ½ an hour at most. They are evidently a large heap of rocks, with very deep valleys. When I contrast them with Ingleborough hill, or Penigent [also spelt Pen-y-ghent], in Yorkshire, they are in comparison but mole hills. I have sent a few minerals to Colville & Wetson. The gum that I sent cannot at present be got in a great quantity, as there are not yet a sufficient number of trees to produce it. They generally come in great number in ground that is lying waste. And I have no doubt but in course of time, that if it is sought after, and will cause it to be produced in larger quantities. The wood I sent to you, was for you to see the quality and quantity of its ashes when burned. There is the greatest prospect that a manufactory of pot ash might easily be established. I have made some tryals in dying, but I have not found any thing that is likely to add to that business. Though I think here are some things, that in course of time are not unlikely to be used as a provincial dye. As cattle thrive here, and the barks in general being strong astringents, I should not wonder that if at a future period this country produces excellent leather. I should have sent you some more descriptions of plants, but time would not allow me to copy them of.