LIVERPOOL HOSPITAL. 205 



to the beauty and fragrance of the gardens, its 

 lilac blossoms being elegantly contrasted by the 

 dark green glossy foliage : the fragrance of 

 the flowers so closely resembles those produced 

 by the tree known in England as the "lilac," 

 that the same appellation is given to it in 

 this colony. In the evenings, and night more 

 especially, this tree may be known to exist in 

 the vicinity by the powerful fragrance it emits 

 for some distance.* The sweetbriar and quince 

 is often used about the farms as hedges for gar- 

 dens, &c., and the appearance they give is ex- 

 tremely neat ; the fragrance of the former is 

 very agreeable. The Cape and English mul- 

 berry trees thrive well in the colony ; the 

 former is said to bear fruit two or three times 

 annually, the latter only once. 



In my way to Sydney, I availed myself of the 

 kindness of Dr. Hill, the colonial surgeon, to 

 visit the government hospital at Liverpool ; it is 

 the finest in the colony, but in my opinion of too 

 large and expensive construction for the purpose 

 required. The wards were spacious, well ven- 

 tilated, and in excellent order, such indeed as 



* It is the beautiful Neem tree of India ; the root is stated 

 to be bitter and nauseous, and is used in North America as 

 anthelminthic. 



