TASMANIA

island state, Austral asia pounded N. by Ba Strait, E. and 8. by ‘Pacific Ocean, and W. by Indian Ocean. Island is continuation of E. Australian _ highlands, with numerous mountain ridges, between which are fertile valleys and plains, highest points, Cradle Mountain and Ben Lomond, both over 5,000 ft.; chief rivers Derwent and Tamar; numerous lakes, including Great Lake, Arthur and Sorell Lakes; coast much indented. Climate equable, and healthy. Flora and fauna resemble those of Australia; animals peculiar to Tasmania include the Tasmanian devil and the thylacine. wheat and other crops produced; fruit growing; sheep and catile extensively raised; large area forested. Minerals include gold, silver, copper, tin, lead, coal. Industries developing rapidly. Chief exports are wool, timber, fruits, various metals. Railway mileage, 588. Education is free and obligatory. Hobart is the cap. Administration fs carried out by a governor, who is appointed by the crown, and a isted by a council of ministers; legislative power is vested in a Legislative Council of 18 members and a House of A embly of 30 members. Tasmania was first visited in 1642 by Tasman, who named it Van Diemen’s Land; subsequently surveyed and explored by various travelers, including Cook and Ba ; in 1803 penal settlement was established near Hobart. The island was administered as part of New South Wales until 1825, when it became a separate colony; it received its present name in 1853, and responsible government in 1856; original state of Commonwealth, 1901. See Ausrrania. Area, 26,215 sq. m.3 pop. 1921, 213,877. See Map AvsTRALASIA. nus), &@ Marsupial which occurs only in Tasmania. It bears an_ external resemblance to a small bear with a long tail, and is brownish black in color with a broad white band acro the chest. It is very fierce and bloodthirsty, and often destroys poultry and even sheep. poet; b. Sorrento; wrote Rinaldo, a narrative poem, 1562; became courtier at Ferrara, 1565. Diffidence and inexpert criticism prevented his publishing his masterpiece, Gerusalemme Liberta (completed, 1574), although <Aminéa, 1573, a simple pastoral drama, had won himfame. Leaving Ferrara, he wandered from place to place, always well received but discontented. Returning a third time to Ferrara, he so provoked Duke Alfonso that he was incarcerated as a lunatic, 1579-86, and while he was confined others edited his Gerusalemme Liber at a and minor poems, After his release he again wandered from place to place, and his later poems (Monte mangled version of the Liber at a, Sette Giornate) show but little genius.