I got also two pieces of stones from the roots of this tree; they were small, quite angular, and had been carried this distance from the continent of America without any appearance of being water-worn. This must often take place when trees are blown down and washed away by floods,and in this manner angular pieces of stone may be conveyed many miles from the rock from which they were derived by the agency of water, and yet not

be water-worn.

August 31.-At 11 h. 30 min. A.M., we found a portion of the timber of a ship on the water, containing animals similar to those on the pine-tree yesterday: this was perforated through and through by different species of teredo.

THE OVERLANDERS.

VOL. II.

CLASS OF PERSONS-THEIR MODE OF LIFE-SUDDEN ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH-EFFECTS OF THEIR ENTERPRISES -MAGNITUDE OF THEIR OPERATIONS-RAPID INCREASE OF WEALTH IN NEW SETTLEMENTS-SPREAD OF STOCK COURSE OF THE OVERLANDERS THROUGH

STATIONS

AUSTRALIA

WESTERN

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SOUTHERN AND AUSTRALIA-GENERAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE

SPREAD OF COMMERCE AND EMIGRATION.

It is to be expected that a totally new state of things will, in recently settled countries, give rise to different orders or classes of men unknown in older lands, but who have been called into existence by novel circumstances, and whose energies have been so developed as best to suit the modifications which these hitherto unexperienced causes may produce. In collecting information regarding the condition of our settlements in Australia, my attention was particularly drawn to the mode of life pursued by some of my enterprising fellowcountrymen, known there under the denomination of "Overlanders," and which is characterised by several remarkable peculiarities well deserving of observation, particularly at a time when so many young and adventurous spirits are looking towards that

continent as the land of their future fortunes and home.

The Overlanders are nearly all men in the prime of youth, whose occupation it is to convey large herds of stock from market to market and from colony to colony. Urged on by the hope of profit, they have overcome difficulties of no ordinary kind, which have made the more timid and weak-hearted quail, and relinquish the enterprises in which they were engaged; whilst the resolute and undaunted have persevered, and the reward they have obtained is wealth, self-confidence in difficulties and dangers, and a fund of accurate information on many inte. resting points. Hence, almost every Overlander

you meet is a remarkable man.

The Overlanders are generally descended from good families, have received a liberal education, (Etonians and Oxonians are to be found amongst them,) and even at their first start in the colonies, were possessed of what is considered an independence. Their grandfathers and fathers have been men distinguished in the land and sea service of their country; and these worthy scions of the ancient stock, finding no outlet for their enterprise and love of adventure at home, have sought it in a distant land; amongst them, therefore, is to be found a degree of polish and frankness, rarely to be looked for in such a mode of life, and in the distant desert you unexpectedly stumble on a finished gentleman.

The life of an Overlander in the bush is one of