iSSi.] BOTANICAL GARDENS, SYDNEY, N.S.W. 361 



in rarities of vegetation. Around tbis department several varieties of 

 the Stag's-horn Ferns were flourishing exceedingly well. They were 

 attached to branches and stumps of trees ; many of them had been 

 worked into specimen form, several feet in circumference. Here are 

 located the valuable additions of museum and library. The first of 

 these places was undergoing repairs, and we therefore saw it to disad- 

 vantage ; yet, from what we saw, we would infer that it must be of 

 valuable service to botanical students, and of general interest to the 

 public. 



We now come to the lower garden, which is the more modern division. 

 Here, stretched on every side, is a magnificent carpet of green turf, 

 which has retained its spring-like freshness throughout an exceptionally 

 dry season. A closer inspection made us aware that it was largely com- 

 posed of " buffalo grass " (Stenotaphrum glabrum), and that, owing to 

 its long, fibrous-rooted character, it is expressly adapted to withstand 

 long drought. As a lawn-grass for dry soils or hot climates it cannot 

 be equalled. An artificial lake, with its miniature islands, is the next 

 attractive feature. The islands are richly covered with semi-aquatic 

 vegetation, while the lake is occupied with representatives of the 

 Nymphsea family, many of which were in bloom. Advantage has been 

 taken here and there, where space permitted, of grouping together 

 plants having the same general character or properties. If this plan 

 were to some extent carried out in private gardens, it would in many 

 cases heighten effect, and give to the whole a special interest. In one 

 instance we noticed a group furnished from the " bush " district, 

 among which the Silky Oak, Grevillea robusta, and the famous 

 Moreton Bay Pine, Araucaria Cunninghamii, formed conspicuous 

 objects. In close proximity is another group of Proteaceous trees, 

 principally natives — such as Stenocarpus, Helicia, Hakea, and Bank- 

 sias. Dotted here and there were many line specimens, of which we 

 could only afford to take a passing notice — such as Erythrinas, in 

 many varieties, gaily covered with their coral-like flowers ; Dracaena 

 draco, a specimen 12 feet in circumference and 10 feet high, which 

 seemed to draw attention even from the most careless observers; 

 Salisburia adiantifolia, the Maiden-hair tree of Japan, most striking 

 in appearance, and so like an Adiantum that from a distance false 

 impressions might be made; Tecoma velutina, a very free-flowering 

 shrub, much like an Allamanda from its pale, trumpet-like flowers. 

 Jubea spectabilis for symmetry of form can bold its own under any 

 condition, more especially when it reaches a height of 15 or 20 feet. 

 This plant was presented to the Gardens by Sir W. Macarthur, and 

 does credit to the donor. Banksia serrata is likewise worthy of notice 

 from the rusticity of its bark, which makes it a special object of in- 

 terest. The Coniferse family is not so well represented as might have 

 been expected, and comes very far behind New Zealand in this respect. 

 No doubt one cause may be the greater dryness of climate. Near to 



