There is perhaps no island in the world of the same size which can boast of so many fine harbours:  the best are the Derwent, Port Davy, Macquarie Harbour, Port Dalrymple, and Oyster Bay:  the first is on its southern side, the second and third on its western, the fourth on its northern, and the fifth on its eastern, so that it has excellent harbours in every direction.  This circumstance cannot fail to be productive of the most beneficial effects, and will most materially assist the future march of colonization.

There is almost a perfect resemblance between the animal and vegetable kingdoms of this island and of New Holland.  In their animal kingdoms in particular, there is scarcely any variation.  The native dog, indeed, is unknown here; but there is an animal of the panther tribe in its stead, which, though not found in such numbers as the native dog is in New Holland, commits dreadful havoc among the flocks.  It is true that its ravages are not so frequent; but when they happen they are more extensive.  This animal is of considerable size, and has been known in some few instances, to measure six feet and a half from the tip of the nose to the extremity of the tail; still it is cowardly, and by no means formidable to man:  unless, indeed, when taken by surprise, it invariably flies his approach.

In the feathered tribes of the two islands, there is scarcely any diversity; of this the wattle bird, which is about the size of a snipe, and considered a very great delicacy, is the only instance which I can cite.

Like New Holland it has many varieties of poisonous reptiles, but they are neither so venomous nor so numerous as in that island.

Its rivers and seas too, abound with the same species of fish.  Oysters are found in much greater perfection, though not in greater abundance.  The rocks that border the coasts and harbours are literally covered with muscles, as the rocks at Port Jackson are with oysters.

There is not so perfect a resemblance in the vegetable kingdoms of the two islands; but still the dissimilarity, where it exists, is chiefly confined to their minor productions.  In the trees of the forest there is scarcely any difference.  Van Diemen’s Land wants the cedar, mahogany, and rose wood; but it has very good substitutes for them in the black wood and Huon pine, which is a species of the yew tree, and remarkable for its strong odoriferous scent and extreme durability.

The principal mineralogical productions of this island are, iron, copper, alum, coals, slate, limestone, asbestus, and basaltes; all of which, with the exception of copper, are to be had in the greatest abundance.

Hobart town.

Hobart Town, which is the seat of the Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen’s Land, stands nine miles up the river Derwent.  It was founded only fifteen years since, and indeed the rudeness of its appearance sufficiently indicates the recency of its origin.  The houses are in general of the meanest description, seldom exceeding one story in height, and being for the most part weather-boarded without, and lathed and plastered within.  Even the government house is of very bad construction.  The residences, indeed, of many individuals far surpass it.  The population may be estimated at about one thousand souls.