202 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 



Heliotrope," &c., &c. A collection of such drawings, accom- 

 panied with brief popular descriptions, would tend to develop the 

 resources of our flora in the far interior, and encourage persons 

 to pursue the study of our indigenous plants. This is a consid- 

 eration fully appreciated by my learned friend Dr. E. Mueller, 

 for whilst he has been almost incessantly occupied in preparing 

 works for the " learned" in all parts of the world, he has sim- 

 plified the study of Australian botany, by the beautiful engravings 

 published from time to time in his various writings ; and it is 

 often a matter of regret to me that these admirable illustrations 

 of "Australian beauties," are not more widely circulated and 

 more highly appreciated. If such' figures, displaying as they do 

 the wonderful structure and inimitable symmetry of our bush 

 flowers, were carefully studied, they would impress the mind 

 with a profound sense of the Creator's wisdom and lead to 

 reflections which are calculated to advance the moral and spiritual 

 nature of man. 



ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS AND PLANTS OF THE 

 PARRAMATTA DISTRICT. 



HP HE poet, in alluding to the marvellous beauties of the veget- 

 able kingdom, sings of the flowers of the field 

 "Everywhere about us they are glowing, 



Some, like stars, to tell us Spring is born ; 

 Others, their blue eyes with tears o'erflowing 

 Stand, like Ruth, amid the golden corn. 



And truly to the inquiring mind, which searches diligently into 

 every sequestered spot, and disdains not to examine into the 

 minutest florets " that in earth's firmament do shine," they may 

 be found almost everywhere. It is not merely in the dense shades 

 of the forest or on the alluvial banks of our rivers, that we may 

 look for gorgeous tints and matchless symmetry. The despised 

 weed by the wayside, the humble moss springing out of the wall, 



