Chapter XLIX: 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. _Acalephæ_ 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:

[Footnote 268: _History of British Fossil Mammals and Birds._]

[Footnote 269: It may be as well, also, to observe here that the learned Professor's article on the _Marsupialia_, in the same work, leaves little to be desired by the student who desires fuller information on the comparative anatomy of the marsupial animals.]

[Footnote 270: Mr. Gould, in his introduction, says 181 species, and his table shows 172; but we think he has erred in placing some birds under the head of Van Diemen's Land, which in the body of his book do not appear ever to have been found in it.]

[Footnote 271: Vol. I., introduction, p. 170.]

[Footnote 272: For a very full and excellent description of the habits of this bird see a paper by R. H. Davies, Esq., in the _Tasmanian Journal_, Vol. II., p. 13.]

[Footnote 273: Two hundred and sixty-two species of Tasmanian insects were described by the German entomologist Erichsen, in _Wagner's Archives_ for 1842. The Rev. T. J. Ewing, of New Town, the most zealous and able Tasmanian entomologist, in a paper in the _Tasmanian Journal_, vol. iii., p. 456, quotes the following works, where descriptions of Tasmanian insects may be found.--_Leach's Zoological Miscellany, Entomological Magazine, The Entomologist, Transactions of the Entomological Society of London_, and _Annals of Natural History_.]

[Footnote 274: _Voyage in search of La Perouse._]

[Footnote 275: _Vide_ a paper by R. C. Gunn: _Tasmanian Journal_, vol. II., p. 332.]

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

* * * * *

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 (£2000), 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 "£50,000," read "£5,000."

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."