164 



WHAT MR. DARWIN SAW. 



AUSTRALIA. 



OF PALMS IN THR BOTANIC 

 GARDENS AT RIO. 



the guava, which from its 

 abundance has become as 

 noxious as a weed. In 

 Brazil I have often admired 

 the varied beauty of the 

 bananas, palms, and orange- 

 trees contrasted together ; 

 and here we also have the 

 bread-fruit, conspicuous from 

 its large, glossy, and deeply 

 digitated leaf. The little 

 winding paths, cool from 

 the surrounding shade, led 

 to the scattered houses, the 

 owners of which everywhere 

 gave us a cheerful and most 

 hospitable reception. In the 

 case of these beautiful woods, 

 the knowledge of their high 

 productiveness no doubt en- 

 ters largely into the feeling 

 of admiration. 



NEW SOUTH WALES. 



ITS extreme uniformity is the most remarkable feature 

 in the landscape of the greater part of New South Wales. 

 Everywhere we have an open woodland, the ground being 

 partially covered with a very thin pasture, with little ap- 



