NORFOLK Island, a small island of the South sea, lying in 29° 12' 35" south latitude, and 168° 16' east longitude. A colony was lately settled on it; and the following account of it is given in Governor Philip's Voyage to Botany Bay, &c.

"Norfolk island is about seven leagues in circumference; and if not originally formed, like many other small islands, by the eruption of volcanic matter from the bed of the sea, must doubtless have contained a volcano. This conclusion is formed from the vast quantity of pumice stone which is scattered in all parts of it, and mixed with the soil. The crater, or at least some traces of its former existence, will probably be found at the summit of a small mountain, which rises near the middle of the island. To this mountain the commandant has given the name of Mount Pitt. The island is exceedingly well watered. At or near Mount Pitt rises a strong and copious stream, which flowing through a very fine valley, divides itself into several branches, each of which retains sufficient force to be used in turning mills; and in various parts of the island springs have been discovered.

"The climate is pure, salubrious, and delightful; preserved from oppressive heats by constant breezes from the sea, and of so mild a temperature throughout the winter, that vegetation continues there without interruption, one crop succeeding another. Refreshing showers from time to time maintain perpetual verdure: not indeed of grass, for none has yet been seen upon the island; but of the trees, shrubs, and other vegetables, which in all parts grow abundantly. On the leaves of these, and of some kinds in particular, the sheep, hogs, and goats, not only live, but thrive and fatten very much. To the salubrity of the air every individual in this little colony can bear ample testimony, from the uninterrupted state of good health which has been in general enjoyed.

"When our settlers landed, there was not a single acre clear of wood in the island, and the trees were so bound together by that kind of creeping shrub called supple jack, interwoven in all directions, as to render it very difficult to penetrate far among them. The commandant, small as his numbers were at first, by indefatigable activity, soon caused a space to be cleared sufficient for the requisite accommodations, and for the production of excellent vegetables of all kinds in the greatest abundance. When the last accounts arrived, three acres of barley were in a very thriving state, and ground was prepared to receive rice and Indian corn. In the wheat there had been a disappointment, the grain that was sown having been so much injured by the weevil as to be unfit for vegetation. But the people were all at that time in commodious houses; and, according to the declarations of Mr King himself, in his letters to Governor Philip, there was not a doubt that this colony would be in a situation to support itself entirely without assistance in less than four years; and with very little in the intermediate time. Even two years would be more than sufficient for this purpose, could a proper supply of black cattle be sent.

"Fish are caught in great plenty, and in the proper season very fine turtle. The woods are inhabited by innumerable tribes of birds, many of them very gay in plumage. The most useful are pigeons, which are very numerous; and a bird not unlike the Guinea fowl, except in colour (being chiefly white), both of which were at first so tame as to suffer themselves to be taken by hand. Of plants that afford vegetables for the table, the chief are cabbage palm, the wild plantain, the fern tree, a kind of wild spinach, and a tree which produces a diminutive fruit, bearing some resemblance to a currant. This, it is hoped, by transplanting and care, will be much improved in size and flavour.

"But the productions which give the greatest importance to Norfolk Island are the pines and the flax plant; the former rising to a size and perfection unknown in other places, and promising the most valuable supply of masts and spars for our navy in the East Indies; the latter not less estimable for the purposes of making sailcloth, cordage, and even the finest manufactures, growing in great plenty, and with such luxuriance as to attain the height of eight feet. The pines measure frequently 160, or even 180 feet in height, and are sometimes 9 or 10 feet in diameter at the bottom of the trunk. They rise to about 80 feet without a branch: the wood is said to be of the best quality, almost as light as that of the best Norway masts; and the turpentine obtained from it is remarkable for purity and whiteness. The fern tree is found also of a great height for its species, measuring from 70 to 80 feet, and affords excellent food for the sheep and other small cattle. A plant producing pepper, has been discovered lately in the island, growing in great plenty; and specimens have been sent to England in order to ascertain this important point."

NORFOLK Sound, according to the account of Captain George Dixon, is situated in 57° 3' north latitude, and 133° 36' west longitude. It is a very extensive place, but how far it stretches to the northward is not known. There may possibly be a passage through to the Bay of Islands, but neither is this certain. The shore, in common with the rest of the coast, abounds with pines; there are also great quantities of the witch hazel. There are various kinds of flowering trees and shrubs, wild gooseberries, currants, and raspberries; wild parsley is found here in great plenty, and it eats excellently either as a salad or boiled amongst soup. The faranee, or wild lily root, grows also in great plenty and perfection. There are a very few wild geese or ducks seen here, but they are shy and difficult of approach.