AUSTRALIAN TREES AND SHRUBS. Ill 



nearly all the Proteaceae produce an abundance of nectar, 

 and ths wood in some instances is valuable for cabinet 

 making. 



GREVILLEAS. 



Grevillea robusta the " Silky Oak," is probably the most 

 common species grown in greenhouses in this country on 

 account of its very graceful foliage. It is also said to be the 

 most easily grown of any trees of the genus. In sub-tropical 

 countries where the tree is largely planted its bright orange 

 panicles of flowers are very attractive. Grevillea rosmarini- 

 folia has flourished out of doors at Abbotsbury. It has linear, 

 rosemary-like leaves with red flowers ; the latter are disposed 

 in terminal clusters, and appear in January and February. 

 Perhaps the finest specimen in this country flowers, annually, 

 in the garden of the late Dr. Russel Wallace at Broadstone. 

 It is a singularly interesting plant. It has found a congenial 

 spot under the shelter of a brick wall facing due south. The 

 highest sprays reach to 7ft., while the spread of the branches 

 from the w r all on to the lawn extends to a distance of 17ft. 

 It is abundantly covered with red flowers. 



Two other species of Grevillea are mentioned in the 

 Abbotsbury Catalogue, viz., G. longifolia, with pink flowers, 

 often reaching a height of 12ft. to 15ft., and G. sulphured, 

 with yellow flowers described as " one of the hardiest of all 

 the Grevilleas." It is said to grow freely as a wall plant in 

 the neighbourhood of London. 



BANKSIAS. 



The Banksias are named in honour of Sir Joseph Banks, 

 the great naturalist, who accompanied Captain Cook on one 

 of his voyages to the South Seas. He was afterwards closely 

 identified with the early history of the Royal Gardens at 



