Natural history report and provincial notices




122

Cockles—few.
Pipis—few.
Shrimps.

A cephalopod mullusc, called the Octopus or Poulpe, was very plentiful and of great size. It has eight arms, that may be extended to two or three feet in length, and each arm has upon it upwards of 110 suckers, the largest about the size of a sixpence, the smallest not larger than a two-penny silver piece. With this cupping glass apparatus, the creature can adhere to any surface with the greatest firmness; even smooth, slimy earfish held with the greatest ease, as we proved on several occasions by hauling up a fish with one of these creatures firmly fixed to it, and even after cutting off its arms, the detached portions remained firmly fixed to its prey. When wounded in the water, the creature throws out a large quantity of black fluid (sepia), and escapes in the darkness caused by its diffusion in the water.

Thousands of meduse, or jelly fish, were floating about in the water, showing beautiful golden and silver colours, as the sun's rays were reflected from their various surfaces and fringes. All of them had four brilliant rings in the centre of the umbrella-shaped crown, placed at equal distances from one another.

Star fish of many varieties are numerous on the rocks at low water.

Lizards—small, brown, and green, were occasionally seen.

Insects were far from being numerous, excepting the common house-fly, flesh fly, mosquitos, and sand flies—these were all abundant enough.

The flesh fly deposited its larvae upon all animal substances, if left exposed for a short time, even the flags, cloth clothes, and blankets, did not escape.

Wild pigs were plentiful in the bush, and some of good magnitude. One brought on board weighed upwards of two hundred pounds, after the offal had been removed, and was exceedingly fat and well flavoured.

The tusks of some of the boars were eight inches in the curve, and exceedingly sharp at their points—very dangerous weapons, and capable of inflicting most severe wounds. A native was brought on board with a wound five inches long, and two deep, across the outer part of the thigh, inflicted by the tusk of a wounded boar.

Only two or three minute species of land shells were found, although search was frequently made for them in all places.

Superintendent's Office, Nelson,
November 29, 1854.

HIS Honor the Superintendent acknowledges the receipt of One Pound from the Rev. T. D. Nicholson, in aid of the Fund for the Relief of the Wives and Families of the British Forces engaged in the Russian War.

By his Honor's command,
ALFRED GREENFIELD,
Clerk in Superintendent's Office.

Superintendent's Office, Nelson,
November 29, 1854.

HIS Honor the Superintendent directs it to be notified, that the undermentioned portions of the Waste Lands of the Crown, within the Province of Nelson, as hereinafter described, have been RESERVED for various purposes of public utility, viz.:—

  1. A block of land situate in the Suburban North district, bounded on the north by a public road; on the east by part of Rural Section, No. 3; on the south by waste lands of the Crown; and on the west by Section, No. 57; containing about 5 acres.

  2. A block of land situate in the Moutere district, bounded on the north by Section, No. 201; on the east by waste lands of the Crown; on the south by Section, No. 31; and on the west by a public road; containing 28 acres.

  3. A block of land situate in the Moutere district, bounded on the north and east by waste lands of the Crown; on the south by Section, No. 162; and on the west by a public road; containing 20 acres.

  4. A block of land situate in the Moutere district, bounded on the north by Section, No. 61; on the east and south by waste lands of the Crown; and on the west by a public road; containing 40 acres.

  5. A block of land situate in the Moutere district, bounded on the north by Sections, Nos. 77 and 79; on the east by a public road; on the south by Sections, Nos. 78 and 80; and on the west by the river Moutere; containing 11 acres.

By his Honor's command,
ALFRED GREENFIELD,
Clerk in Superintendent's Office.

PRINTED BY C. AND J. ELLIOTT, AT THE "EXAMINER" OFFICE, NELSON.


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Online Sources for this page:

PDF PDF Nelson Provincial Gazette 1854, No 19





✨ LLM interpretation of page content

🗺️ Continuation of report on the Pelorus Sound and surrounding geography (continued from previous page)

🗺️ Lands, Settlement & Survey
Pelorus Sound, Natural History, Botany, Zoology, Wild pigs, Insects

🏘️ Acknowledgment of donation for the relief of families of British forces in the Russian War

🏘️ Provincial & Local Government
29 November 1854
Donation, Relief Fund, Russian War, Nelson, Superintendent
  • T. D. Nicholson (Reverend), Donated one pound to relief fund

  • Alfred Greenfield, Clerk in Superintendent's Office

🗺️ Reservation of Crown lands for public utility in the Province of Nelson

🗺️ Lands, Settlement & Survey
29 November 1854
Crown Lands, Land Reservation, Nelson, Suburban North, Moutere
  • Alfred Greenfield, Clerk in Superintendent's Office