r ^jg a ] Dodd, A Naturalist in New Guinea. 1 3 1 



collecting spots ; besides, they were often wet. However, my 

 companion, stopping at nothing, as a rule brought in fine 

 collections, myself assisting when not engaged in setting, &c. 

 He would often go away for several days, send a black back 

 with the first day's captures, the other black the next day, 

 then turn up himself the third day, having passed the nights 

 at the mission station or a plantation, where he was always 

 welcome. 



We were upon what is known as Hombron Bluff, from which 

 magnificent views were obtainable. To the west, towards 

 Moresby, were many hills, with here and there ranges, and also 

 to the north-west. We could not see the town owing to inter- 

 vening hills. Well to the left was the sea, and beyond Moresby 

 we could see it again. The country past the Sapphire and 

 Laloki junction, and miles on each side, was often buried in 

 mist ; from our lofty perch it was a charming sight, this sea 

 of mist with hills jutting therefrom in divers places. At 

 Hombron, in and along the sides of a valley formed by the 

 semicircular ridge upon which we were, were the Government 

 Gardens, but in an unfavourable locality ; only a little soil was 

 rich and level, many of the beds being at too great a slope. 

 Gradually the gardens lost their interest, and were, when I 

 came away, likely to be let, as there was a comfortable residence 

 on the grounds. Here grew a very fine banana, probably the 

 Gros Michel, which is finding favour in Queensland. We could 

 procure bunches at a trifling cost when we desired, so rarely 

 were we without a good supply. Obtainable also were 

 pawpaws, sweet potatoes, limes, and occasionally beans and 

 tomatoes. These gardens were under the charge of Mr. C. 

 Speedie, a Victorian, but who, for want of labour and means 

 to irrigate, could do little in the way of experimental cultiva- 

 tion ; however, several varieties of coffee were growing 

 luxuriantly, a patch was under tea, another arnatto, and another 

 sisal hemp ; a big area of this aloe was passed on our way to 

 Sapphire. Then there were granadillas, ordinary passion fruit, 

 custard apples, and various citrus fruits, &c. Ornamental 

 plants were few, any good Queensland garden possessing a 

 greater variety of Crotons, and, as to the many-coloured 

 Acalyphas, the graceful Aralias, and the beautiful Dracaenas, 

 they were practically unrepresented — rather disappointing to 

 one after being acquainted with so many in North Queens- 

 land. There was but one Acalypha, so I sent to Kuranda 

 for some dozen kinds, Mr. Speedie being pleased with their 

 variety and beauty, for the majority throve, and I daresay 

 several of the Astrolabe plantations have these now growing. 

 The one species of Acalypha had been freely used for the 

 purpose of ornamenting the grounds and the tracks around 



