The colour of the male specimen was greyish; a short fine fur covers the back, being also continuous of the same colour to within four inches of the tail; after which the fur becomes longer, more glossy, and of a black colour; the fur on the abdomen was of a yellowish white colour; near the feet the fur is short, of a dirty yellow colour, with brownish patches; the colour is similar under the chin, throat, and angles of the jaw; the upper part of the ears is nearly bare; the thumbs of the hind feet have no claw, but the fore-feet are pentadactyle, and armed with sharp claws; the four toes of the hind-feet are also armed with claws, the first dividing into two phalanges, each having a claw. The young specimen differed from this only in having a yellowish tinge mixed with the grey over the back, legs, and abdomen; angles of the jaw and throat of a brownish yellow; the under portion about the eyes and upper part of the head of a yellowish colour. [38] The Hobart Town Colonist of Oct. 12, 1832, contains the following paragraph respecting the capability of the opossum fur being used in manufactures. “We have been favoured with the sight of a pair of mittens spun and knit by Mrs. M’Kenzie, of the Lower Clyde, from the _fur of the opossum_. In texture and appearance they very much resemble the best sort of Angola mittens, but to us they appear of superior quality. The pair that we saw are now in the possession of Mr. Gordon, of Forcett, to whom they were presented by Mr. M’Kenzie.” [39] Besides the vine, other fruit-tree cuttings blossom and even bear fruit in a very short period of time. I saw a peach cutting, in a garden near Sydney, about six inches long, which had been planted only ten days, and was covered with a profusion of blossoms. [40] The box-tree of the colonists (_Eucalyptus, sp._) is used in the colony for the spokes and fellies of wheels, and the “apple-tree” (_Angophora lanceolata_) for the naves. [41] The “turpentine tree” attains the elevation of from sixty to ninety feet, and a diameter of three feet. [42] Mount York, according to Oxley, is 3,292 feet above the level of the sea. [43] “Pi” signifies “to hit or break,” and “cobera,” “head.” [44] It has been stated frequently to me, that the females destroying their offspring allege as a reason, that they are too much trouble to carry about: however, it is well known, that, as their children become older, they evince much attachment towards them. [45] This is not confined to the Australian natives, for it also occurs in Polynesia. Spix and Martius also observe, in their Travels in Brazil, (Eng. Trans. 8vo. vol. ii. p. 241,) “We did not meet with any deformed persons or cripples among the Indians; for which reason, some people believe that they put them to death immediately after their birth.” [46] “Netbul,” (the net-bag of the aborigines,) is a corrupted native word; “culy” is one of the native appellations.