Natural Curiosities of New Holland.
New Holland is the largest island in the world, being as extensive as Europe. It is considered a continent by some writers on geography: but its size is not the greatest point of interest. It possesses several birds, quadrupeds, and even vegetable productions, distinct in kind from those of any other part of the world. It produces kangaroos, which are as large as a sheep, and carry their young ones in a natural pocket. They jump seventy-five feet at a bound; and use their tails as a jumping-pole.
It produces black swans, and flying opossums; the superb menura, a bird with a tail shaped like an ancient harp; the platypus, a queer fellow, with a bill like a duck, fur like a beaver, and claws like a woodchuck!
Among other curiosities found in New Holland, is the cereopsis, a kind of speckled goose. We give a picture of this bird, which will afford a better idea of its appearance, than words can convey. Who would not like to go to New Holland?
Tolerance.—“In my youth,” says Horace Walpole, “I thought of writing a satire upon mankind; but now, in my old age, I think I should write an apology for them.”