There is a spider which I frequently observed about Yas Plains, and also at other parts of the colony, which forms a den in the ground; the opening is about an inch in diameter; over this a lid is formed of web, incorporated with earth, and a web hinge, accurately filling the external aperture, which the animal can shut at pleasure. I have heard of a person who was accustomed to feed one of these insects; after feeding, it would enter the habitation, and shut down the lid, by drawing it close with one of its claws. It is nearly impossible to discover their habitations when the lid is closed, from its being so accurately fitted to the aperture. CHAPTER XVII. Arrive at Wombat Brush—Animals called Wombat—Parched country—Road-side houses—Colonial English—Column to the memory of La Perouse—Death of Le Receveur—Sydney police-office—The Bustard—Botanic garden—The aborigines—King Dungaree—The castor-oil shrub—Diseases of Australia—New Zealanders—Australian ladies—Prejudice against travellers from Botany Bay—Anecdote—A fishing excursion—Cephalopodous animals—Conclusion of the author’s researches in this colony. On the 30th of December I left Goulburn Plains, and arrived the same evening at Arthursleigh. On the day following I crossed the “Uringalle,” (more commonly known by the name of “Paddy’s river,”) and arrived at “Wombat Brush.” This tract of forest land was so named from being formerly frequented by a number of the animals called “Wombat,” but which are now rarely or never seen in the vicinity of the settlement, the whole having been nearly destroyed. About the Tumat and Murrumbidgee country I witnessed numerous burrows; and certain marks of the animals indicative of their presence; but they can but seldom be seen, as they remain in the burrows during the day, coming out to feed at night. One of these animals kept at “Been,” in the Tumat country, alive and in a tame state, would remain in its habitation until dark; it would then come out, and seek for the keelers or milk vessels; and should none be uncovered, would contrive to get off the covers, bathe itself in the milk, drinking at the same time. It would also enter the little vegetable garden attached to the station, in search of lettuces, to which it evinced much partiality; if none could be found, it would gnaw the cabbage-stalks, without touching the foliage. Although numerous in the more distant parts of the colony, they are difficult to procure, from the great depth to which they burrow.