Section Vii.--Crustacea, Echinodermata, &c.

Crabs of numerous species are common, and one species, occasionally caught on both the east and west coasts, attains to a gigantic size. A craw-fish is abundant on the coasts, and is much prized by epicures, and another inhabits the rivers which run into the sea on the north coast. Many other crustaceans, still undescribed or but little known, are to be found in all favorable situations.

There is little in the character of the echinodermata to call for special notice. Species of many genera of star-fish and sea urchins are most abundant. Acalephae and polypi are equally numerous, and a most extensive and little-explored field lies open in this colony to the naturalist in these most interesting branches of zoology. Our infusoria, too, are still undescribed, though numerous; but they call for few remarks in this place.

In closing this chapter upon the zoology of Tasmania it must not be forgotten by the reader that its productions are still, in a great many cases, comparatively unknown; the notices of those described are scattered throughout an immense number of works, and in this island no museum or public scientific library yet exists, of such a character as to afford any aid to the compiler. It is not, however, to be expected that a general history of Tasmania should contain a minute history of all its varied and most interesting natural productions. It has been deemed sufficient, in the present slight sketch, to give in general terms merely those leading features which were likely to prove attractive to the general reader; leaving it to the student who may desire further information to refer to the works which have been noticed under the different heads.

FOOTNOTES:

TASMANIA: PRINTED BY J. S. WADDELL, LAUNCESTON.

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NOTES AND ERRATA.

Transcriber's Note: the following errata have been corrected in the text above.

Page 4, for "Charles II." read "Charles I."

Page 14. This veteran was at the Exhibition of 1851, pointing out the natural productions and conversing with great zest with any person interested in this colony.

Page 29, for "did not visit," read "did not convey the settlers."

Page 41. The state of Van Diemen's Land may be inferred by the following evidence of Lieutenant Lord (1812), before the Committee of the Commons. "During eight or nine years we entirely depended on the woods. We had 2lbs. of biscuit weekly for thirteen months;"--"We had not a single death." "I have often myself been glad to go to bed for want of bread." Mr. Lord was sometime acting lieutenant governor--the writer has, during a long voyage which his gentlemanly deportment made pleasant, often heard him narrate the difficulties of those early days.

Page 56. The following extracts from various documents will bear out the statements in the text, in reference to the government proceedings of that day:--

Crossly, the government lawyer, was transported for putting a "fly in a dead man's mouth"--making a forged will. He drew up the early indictments. He got his pardon this way: he drew bills (L2000), on a man of straw in England. They were returned, but as a convict he could not be sued; therefore Governor King, to protect the creditors, gave him his pardon.--Judge Adkins' evidence on Johnstone's trial.

A person was ordered 500 lashes for sedition--Gazette, March 1807.

Bakers using flour above 20 per cent. were threatened to have their ovens demolished.--1806.

"A breach of regulations, made at the sole will of the Governor, was punished with 500 to 1000 lashes,"--Report House of Commons Committee, 1812.

"A man threatened to be as troublesome as Tom Pain, sentenced to 100 lashes, and to wear a label on his back with 'Thomas Pain,' written in large characters."--1806.

The following is Bligh's character of Judge Atkins--"He has been accustomed to inebriety--he has been the ridicule of the community, sentence of death has been pronounced in moments of intoxication, his determination is weak, his opinions floating and infirm, his knowledge of the law insignificant and subject to private inclination; and confidential cases of the crown, where due secresy is required, he is not to be trusted with." (Letter to Secretary of State.) Yet Atkins was his principle adviser.

Page 65. Major Abbot said, "people err greatly in reference to my court--some think it is a court of law--but it is not a court of law; some think it is a court of equity--but it is not a court of equity. It is a court of justice and right."

Page 76, for "100,000," read "10,000."

Page 107, The following is an example of the pipe system:--"Free Pardon.--Whereas on the days of Thursday and Friday last, copies of a paper usually called A PIPE, were circulated in the town of Sydney, one being thrown over the wall in George-street, opposite the Lieut.-Governor's house; another at the Provost Marshall's; another at Mrs. Macarthur's; another outside the walls of the Queen's Hospital, opposite the quarters occupied by D'Arcey Wentworth; each paper separately addressed to the above persons, and containing a false, malicious attack on his honor the Lieutenant Governor--it is hereby notified that his Excellency will give a free and unconditional pardon, and in addition, two hundred pounds sterling, offered by the officers of the 46th regiment, to any person or persons (not the actual authors of such paper) who will give information that may lead to the conviction of the offenders. May 4, 1816."

Page 109, for "Lord Goderich," read "Sir G. Murray."

Page 119. This passage was in type before the bill for an elective assembly passed.

Page 135, for "quit-rents 2s.," read "2s. per 100 acres."

Page 143, for "one never cultivated," read "one cultivated."

Page 152, for "L50,000," read "L5,000."

Page 152. The actual discoverer of the Burra Mines, Thomas Picket, a labourer, was burned to death in a state of intoxication in 1852.

Page 172. In this trial the jurors could not agree as to damages, to they set down each a sum, and adding the whole, divided by twelve, which they gave as a verdict.

Page 173, for "an even number," read "an ancient number."

Page 183, for "154," read "148" (note).

Page 249, for "deliberate," read "deliberative."

Page 267, for "annulled," read "unsettled."

Page 284, for "July, 1848," read "July, 1847."

Page 297, for "two monstrous," read "too monstrous."

Page 303, for "object to," read "object of."