F l a x .
Blackburnia Pinnata, G. Forfter, Flor. Aujlr. 10. or Ptele a-
Pinnata, Linn. Suppl. 126. J. R. Forjler, Gen, 6.
Gynopogon Stellatum,. G, Forjler, Flor. Aujlr. 19. J.R. Forjler%
Gen: 18.
Gynop. Alyxia, G. Forjler, 19.
Buptbalmum Uniflorum-, ibid* 91»
A n Euphorbia, 90..
Letragonia Halimifolia, Flor. Aujlr. 39.
Mejembryganthemum Aujlrale, ibid. 90.
Phormiutn Penax, 153. Linn.Suppl. 204. Cook's Voy. ad. p. 96..
tab. 96,
T hese are the only plants which the fparing communications'
of our pbilofophical travellers will permit us to mention. The-
Jail is o f the greateft importance to the natives, and may hereafter
become fo to every nation, in Europe, as it produces the belt ancb
moft tenacious hemp in the world. I ihall deliver the defcrip—
tion and hiitory of it, borrowed from vol.. iii. p. 39. o f Captain
Cook's, Firft Voyage: “ There is,” fays our great navigator,.
“ however, a plant that ferves the inhabitants ihftead o f hemp
“ and flax, which excels all that are put to the fame purpofes in
1 the world. Of this plant there are two forts; the leaves o f
“ both refemble thole of flags, but their flowers are fmaller and
u their clufters more numerous; in one kind they are yellow,
“ and in the other a deep red. Of the leaves o f thefe plants, with-
“ very little preparation, they make all their Common apparelr;
“ and of thefe they alio make their firings, lines, and cordage
“ for every purpofe, which are fo much ftronger than any thing;
“ we can make with hemp, that they will not bear a com pa-
“ rifon.
“ rifon. From the fame plant, by another preparation, they
“ draw long flender fibres, which-ihine like filk, and are as
“ white as fnow; o f thefe, which are alfo furprifingly llrong,
“ 'the. finer cloths are made;.and o f the leaves, without any
“ other preparation than fplitting them into proper breadths
“ and tying the ftrips together, they, make their fiihing nets;
“ fome o f which, as I have, before remarked, are o f an enor-
“ mous fize.”
Norfolk LJland is, peculiarly happy in its climate: the air is
pure, falubrious, and delicious, freed from exceflive heat by the
conftant breezes from the fea ; and of fo mild a temperature
throughout the winter, that ther^.ds a perpetual vegetation;
crop fucceeds crop, and the refrelhing Ihowers maintain a conftant
verdure : fometimes there are great droughts. From February
to Augujl may be called the rainy feafon ; not that it is
regular, for there is fometimes fine weather for a fortnight together,
but when the rain does fall, it is in torrents*.
A bo u t midway between Norfolk IJland and New Holland, fr
Lord Howe IJland, difcovered in 1788 by Lieutenant Henry Lidg-
bird Ball, a fon o f the late George Ball, of Irby, in Chejhire,
Efquire. . This ille is , fmall in extent, in length only feven
leagues, and in form o f a crefcent. In fome parts it rifes into
lofty craggy hills, that called Ball's Pyramid is very Angular,
formed on one fide o f Bafaltic columns; and fo lofty as to be
feen at the diftance o f twelve leagues.. Another rock is circular
at top, fo as to look like a fpread fan ; the reft fo low as to give
thefe rocks the form o f iflands. Mr. Ball fays that it abounds in
eabbage-palms, or Areca Sapida, with mangrove-trees, and Manchineel,
C l i m a t e .
L o r d H o w e
I s l a n d .