492 AUSTRALASIA ILLUSTRATED. 



numerous typical specimens of American trees and shrubs, groups of Queensland plants, 

 and a superb array of mcsonbryanthcDunns, the metallic lustre of which is perfectly 

 dazzling in the full blaze of the sun. Immediately in front of the spectator, and sloping 

 down to the smaller lake, is the buffalo-grass lawn, with a house for cacti at one end, 

 and a rustic summer-house, constructed principally of native woods, at the other. This 

 lawn is chequered by groups of pittosporums, of tropical foliage-plants and ornamental 

 shrubs ; while the island in the centre of the lake is planted with ferns, palm-lilies, 

 Danubian reeds and plume-grasses. Beyond this lies the great lake, containing half a 

 dozen islands planted chiefly with the common swamp ti-tree ; and on the other side an 

 embankment covered with pine-trees and palm-lilies separates this sheet of water and its 

 miniature archipelago from the River, along the banks of which is an umbrageous walk 

 from end to end of the northern boundary of the Gardens. 



The Director's residence is situated within the Gardens, and for an enthusiast who 

 is really fond of his work, and who likes to live in the centre of it, or for one who 

 is never weary of the charm of foliage, and the beauty of landscape, and the sight and 

 smell of flowers, no more delightful dwelling need be wished. In front of it lie the 

 lawn and shrubbery. The fluctuating outline of this charming little nook, which is also 

 accessible to the public, is defined by a compact mass of ornamental trees and shrubs, 

 .and the lawn is dotted with azaleas, camellias and other flowering plants, presenting at 

 most periods of the year superb combinations of colour, while in the summer, to those 

 who love to lie in indolent and listening repose, the buzz and hum of insect life keep 

 up a drowsy murmur in the ear : 



The hawk moth poised 

 Above the roses, thrusts its slender trunk 

 Into their honeyed depths; on gau/v wings 

 The long, green dragon fly, in gleaming mail. 

 Keeps darting zigzag, hovering to and fro ; 

 Hot bees are bustling in the flowers ; with soft 

 And aimless flutter, painted butterflies 

 Hang drifting here and there like floating leaves, 

 Or resting on a weed to spread their wings. 

 All nature seems in quiet happiness 

 To live and move. 



The more distant prospect from the numerous eminences within the limits of the 

 Gardens is full of variety, Government House constituting a prominent object ; while 

 the winding River, the Yarra Park, the north-eastern suburbs, Stuclley Park, the principal 

 architectural monuments of Melbourne and the distant ranges to the north, combine to 

 present a succession of interesting landscapes, as the point of observation is shifted from 

 time to time. There are four conservatories. One of these contains a fine specimen of 

 the gigantic water-lily ; another is devoted to tropical exotics, including a large collection 

 of crotons and other foliage plants ; while a third is reserved for cacti, and a fourth is 

 applied to the cultivation of the more tender of the plants which possess an economic 

 value, such as the mango, the bread-fruit, the sugar-cane, coffee and chocolate trees and 

 cinnamon. A medicinal garden for the propagation of plants of therapeutic value, and 

 an area dedicated to the growth of such as supply the raw material for textile fabrics, 

 or are serviceable to the dyer, or can be utilized as articles of food, are by no means 

 the least important features of this attractive institution, which also includes a laboratory, 



