BOTANIC GARDEN. 335 



Among the attractions which Sydney presents 

 to the visitor is the Botanic Garden, with its neat 

 and tastefully arranged walks ; it is, however, 

 to be regretted, that this establishment, as a 

 " botanic garden," is not encouraged, it being, 

 in fact, merely a government vegetable and fruit 

 garden. Such an establishment would be most 

 valuable as a nursery for the introduction 

 of trees, shrubs, or plants, estimable either 

 for timber, fruits, flowers, or dyes, and thus 

 add to the resources of the colony ; by its 

 means how many valuable productions might be 

 introduced : at present exotics are almost en- 

 tirely confined to the gardens of a few intelligent 

 settlers. Still there are several trees and plants 

 introduced from New Zealand, the north-west, 

 and other parts of Australia, Cape, &c. A fine 

 healthy specimen of the " Adenanthos sericea' 

 has been successfully introduced, (which is cor- 

 rectly figured in Labillardiere's Plant. Nov. 



scream and whistle during the night; it is called by the 

 Javanese '■'■ Borong Mates,'' or " Death bird," and is regarded 

 by them, as well as by some of the European residents, as a 

 bird of ill-omen ; and its note is supposed to indicate the 

 approaching death of some individual. I was informed, that 

 the decease of a gentleman at Batavia was indicated some 

 time before by one of these birds uttering its melancholy 

 screams, and hovering near the dwelling, and this was 

 mentioned by a European, who credited the superstitious 

 idea that these birds were ominous. 



