Above Hobart

Great numbers of singular ‘grass trees’

(Xanthorrea arborea), all ages and growths,

short, tall, straight, and crooked,

each with a long tressed head of rushy leaves.

On the Road from Jerusalem

Straggling dingy gum trees (Eucalyptus),

wattle and honeysuckle-trees (Acacia

and Banksia) and ‘cutting grass’ so sharp

dogs have been injured running there.

Delighted to see some fern

like common forest-fern or brake back home,

but stunted, crisped with drought.

At Richmond

The then police magistrate, geologist and virtuoso,

afforded us

an agreeable evening. Many limestone fossils

were new to me.

The room in which my poor maid slept was stored

with choice and bulky

specimens, such skillintons and dead men's bones

as bad

as vaultses under churches, death's heads, cross-bones

she went

and had such horrid odorous dreams.