I consider there are two species of this genus existing:—first, E. hystrix, Desm., or Spiny Echidna, which is found on the mountain ranges in the colony of New South Wales; and the second, E. Setosa, Desm., or Bristly Echidna, which is found more common in Van Dieman’s Land. The first species attains a large size: it is stated in our works of natural history as being the size of a hedge-hog: my young specimen was fully that. At “Newington,” the residence of John Blaxland, Esq., I had an opportunity of seeing a specimen full fourteen inches long, and of proportionate circumference: it fed upon milk and eggs, the eggs boiled hard and chopped up small, with rice; its motion was heavy and slow; it was of a perfectly harmless disposition. When disturbed from its place of retreat, it would feed during the day; but was difficult to remove from the cask in which it was placed, on account of its firmly fixing itself at the bottom: it feeds, by thrusting out the tongue, to which organ the food is attached, and then withdrawing it. Mine moved about, and drank milk at night, taking little other food. After keeping it for nearly seven months, I found it one morning dead.

There is an affection of the eye, which much prevails at this season of the year in the interior of the colony, attacking both European settlers and natives, and is called by the colonists the “blight:” it occurs only during the summer season: the attack is sudden, no doubt proceeding from the bite of a gnat, or some other insect. I had an opportunity of witnessing a case of this malady, which occurred in a native. The integuments surrounding the orbit were puffed up so much, as totally to close the eye, which was found much inflamed, as in acute ophthalmia, and attended with symptoms, in some degree similar, with severe itching and pricking pain, as if sand had been lodged in it, with a profuse flow of tears. This disease seldom continues for more than three days, even if no remedy be applied. A spirit lotion has been found the most beneficial application. Last summer every individual at one of the farms was attacked by it in both eyes, occasioning temporary blindness, and much inconvenience was experienced from all being attacked at the same period.[118]

On the 14th of December, I left the Tumat country on my return to Yas. Day had just dawned when I commenced my journey; the sky was clear and serene; the rising sun gilded the summits of the picturesque mountains; the sparkling dew was not yet dispelled, and all nature looked refreshed; the atmosphere was cool and agreeable, and the birds chanted, as if to salute the rising orb with their early melody; the dark foliage of the swamp oaks, and a brighter vegetation, would indicate the proximity of the river, whose murmuring stream was occasionally heard, although its waters were not seen. But as the day advanced, it became more sultry; vegetation drooped with excessive heat; the feathered songsters ceased their carolling, and only a few herons, magpies, (“Karo” of the aborigines,) and crows, were visible. I arrived at Darbylara late in the afternoon.

The banks of the Murrumbidgee were beautifully picturesque. How delightful it is in this country, so destitute of large streams, to sit under the overshadowing branches of the Eucalypti, near the river, watching the flights of wild fowl, engaged in catching the fish, with which this river abounds, or seeing the young amphibious blacks amusing themselves by throwing stones into the deep part of the stream, and diving in order to catch them before they reach the bottom. In this amusement, they displayed much activity, and in nearly every instance succeeded in regaining the stone before it reached the bottom. The competition among them to catch it, was highly amusing.

There were a number of the aborigines about this farm, who made themselves occasionally useful by grinding wheat, and other occupations; but no dependence can be placed upon their industry for they work when they please, and remain idle when they like; the latter being of most frequent occurrence; but they are encouraged for their valuable assistance in finding strayed cattle, as they track the beasts with an accuracy seldom or never attained by a European.

The river’s banks abounded in trees of enormous size, and were profusely embellished with elegant flowers. I saw a species of the Eucalyptus, called the “Water Gum,” full a hundred feet in elevation, and six or seven feet in diameter.[119] I also observed a swamp oak[120] growing from the trunk of one of these trees, having quite a parasitical character; the former being about twelve feet high, and the latter full forty, both in a flourishing condition. An animal, called “Water-rat” by the colonists, and Biddunong by the aborigines, burrowed in the banks; but I was not able to procure a specimen. There are also two species of the Kangaroo-rat found about this part of the colony; one called “Cannamung,” and the second, a larger species, called “Talbung” by the blacks.

About the river’s banks an elegant species of fly-catcher, “Birinberu” of the natives, was numerous, burrowing for some distance in the sand, where it lays its eggs, and produces young. It is about the size of a lark, of beautiful and varied plumage, migrating from this part of the country in the winter, and returning in the summer to build about its old haunts. I examined several of the burrows, which were situated on a sandy flat, near the river; the entrance was two inches and a half at its broadest diameter, continuing of a breadth seldom exceeding three inches, to the length of three feet generally,—although some were even longer,—terminating in a space from six to eight inches broad, where the eggs are laid, no nest was constructed, and, on examining the first burrow, I found four young ones reposing upon the bare sand. I covered the burrow as well as possible, leaving the young ones to a mother’s care, who soon returned to her progeny. Other burrows contained from four to five white nearly round eggs. The length of these birds was ten inches from the beak to the two projecting tail feathers, which last were usually an inch and a half beyond the others: the irides were of a beautiful bright-red colour.

There are several species of birds seen here during the summer season, migrating in the winter, and others returning in the winter, and taking their departure in the summer. Observations upon the migration of birds in this colony would be interesting, as the accounts are often contradictory. The elegant “satin-bird,” (Ptilinorynchus of Temminck,) it is said, leaves the Murrumbidgee country during summer, returning in autumn: it is also mentioned, that the aborigines never kill this bird.[121]

Cattle and sheep stations now extend for some distance down the Murrumbidgee probably as much as fifty miles. The following is a list of them, commencing from below Mr. Warby’s farm at Darbylara. At a distance of two miles from Darbylara, proceeding down the stream, is the

Miles.Belonging to
1st Station,“Minghee,”Mr. Warby, sen.
2beyond,2d Station,“Gundagiar,”Mr. Hutchinson.
5—3d Station,“Willeplumer,”Mr. Stuckey.
4—4th Station,“Kimo,”Mr. Guise.
3—5th Station,“Wadjego,”Mrs. Jenkins.
4—6th Station,“Nanghas,”Mr. J. M’Arthur.
8—7th Station,“Jabtre,”Mr. Ellis.
2—8th Station,“Wandubadjere,”Mr. Thorn.
10—9th Station,“Kubandere,”Mr. Tompson.
10—10th Station,“Billing billing,”Mr. H. M’Arthur.