about the lofty hills
that environ the capital of Tasmania recall vividly those of the Lake of
Geneva, near Chillon, and the Dent du Midi; while the Derwent itself,
reflecting the hills upon its blue and placid surface, forms another
pleasing resemblance to Lake Leman. We should not forget to mention that
in ascending Mount Wellington, the lion of Tasmanian scenery, where the
visitor reaches a height of about two thousand feet, the Old World ocean
floor is reached and clearly defined, as we have seen it exhibited among
the heights of Norwegian mountains. Here there are plenty of lithoidal
remains of the former denizens of the ocean,--fossils telling the
strange and interesting story of terrestrial changes that have taken
place in the thousands upon thousands of years that are past. Hobart is
one of the very few cities with which we are familiar whence Alpine
elevations can be so easily reached. Its broad streets run to the base
of snow-covered mountains at one end, and at the other terminate on the
busy shore of the harbor.

A walk up the precipitous sides of Mount Wellington affords special
delight to the lover of botanical science. The ferns to be found in the
gullies and elsewhere are singularly attractive in their great variety
and natural beauty of combinations. One spot is so marked and
monopolized by them as to be called Fern-Tree Bower. The difference
between this species of plant as found in Tasmania and those indigenous
to the mainland is that the former maintain their entire freshness and
summer colors all through the year,--though this is a characteristic in
a general way of all Australian vegetation, as seen in the perpetual and
vigorous freshness of the forests. On this mountain-side mosses,
lichens, and blue-striped gentians are mingled in close companionship,
with here and there dainty specimens of the white wood-sorrel,--lowly,
but lovely examples of Nature's gardening. Here was also seen the
cabbage-palm twenty feet high, imparting a marked tropical aspect to
this cool region. Some delicate specimens of ferns were seen depending
from the trunks of trees in damp and low-lying places, where they also
lined the shallow water-ways.

On returning from an excursion from Mount Wellington we saw some
domesticated kangaroos. This animal can easily be tamed, and will then
follow a person about like a dog, evincing remarkable attachment and
intelligence. One of those which we saw followed its mistress, the lady