BOTANICAL INl'ORMATION. 155 



time 



It would lead too far to enumerate the numerous modest, but lovely, 

 or even the more attractive ornamental plants, whicli will no doubt 

 hereafter contribute to adorn the gardens here and at home. Still, in 

 a general sketch of our vegetation, I ought not to pass nnmentioned, 

 in this regard, the magnificent Grevillea Fictorice ; the splendid para- 

 site of the Fern-tree, Basileophyta Friderici-Augustij on which the name 

 of the royal botanist has been bestowed ; and the grand Corrma Latro- 

 heana^ — three of the most gorgeous plants discovered during my last 

 expedition. 



In accordance with His Excellency's instructions, a collection of dried 

 specimens of plants has been commenced for the Government, This 

 Herbarium will be at all times accessible to the public, and will here- 

 after contribute, I trust, to diffuse, more and more, knowledge of our 

 vegetable world, and excite lovers of natural science to assist in my in- 

 vestigations. I began to form, at the same 

 for the Eoyal Gardens at Kew. 



I am happy to report that the Botanic Gardens are in a very pros- 

 perous state, and that the establishment does great honour to the able 

 management of its Superintendent. The addition of a large green- 

 house, which His Excellency has been pleased to sanction upon the 

 recommendation of the Committee, will be most useful as a receptacle 

 for tropical productions; and a considerable piece of ground has been 

 prepared, this year, to rear all the seeds which have lately been col- 

 lected for the garden, or which were liberally presented. 



The Committee deemed it also desirable that an iron foot-bridge for 

 crossing the Yarra should be procured from home, for the purpose of 

 affording an easier access to the garden for the inhabitants of the 

 eastern part of Melbourne; and by this means the number of visitors 



already (chiefly on Sundays) very considerable — will doubtless 

 greatly increase. 



I trust, therefore, that the Botanic Gardens, as an establishment so 

 desirable for the diffusion of knowledge, for the experimental introduc- 

 tion of foreign plants into our adopted country, or for multiplying the 

 treasures which our own Flora offers, and as a healthy locality for re- 

 creation, will continue to receive the support of the Government and 

 the Legislature ; and I hope that, by still further extending the com- 

 munications of this establishment with the Botanical Gardens of other 



