172 
“It would lead too far to enumerate the numerous modest, but 
lovely, or even the more attractive ornamental plants, which will no 
doubt hereafter contribute to adorn the gardens here and at home. 
Still, in a general sketch of our vegetation, 1 ought not to pass 
unmentioned, in this regard, the magnificent Grevillea Victoriz ; the — 
splendid parasite of the fern tree, Basileophyta Friderici Augusti, 
on which the name of the royal botanist has been bestowed ; and the 
grand Correa Latrobeana,—three of the most gorgeous plants dis- 
covered during my last expedition. 
“In accordance with His Excellency’s instructions, a collection of 
dried specimens of plants has been commenced for the Government. 
This Herbarium will be at all times accessible to the public, and will 
hereafter contribute, I trust, to diffuse, more and more, knowledge of 
our vegetable world, and excite lovers of natural science to assist in 
my investigations. I began to form, at the same time, a similar col- 
lection for the Royal Gardens at Kew. 
“T am happy to report that the Botanic Gardens are in a very 
prosperous state, and that the establishment does great honour to the 
able management of its Superintendent. The addition of a large 
greenhouse, which His Excellency has been pleased to sanction, 
upon the recommendation of the Committee, will be most useful as a 
receptacle for tropical productions ; and a considerable piece of 
ground has been prepared, this year, to rear all the seeds which have 
lately been collected for the garden, or which were liberally pre- 
sented. 
“ The Committee deemed it also advisable that an iron foot-bridge 
for crossing the Yarra should be procured from home, to afford an 
easier access to the Garden for the inhabitants of the eastern part of 
Melbourne; and by this means the number of visitors — already 
(chiefly on Sundays) very considerable — will, doubtless, greatly 
increase. 
“1 trust, therefore, that the Botanic Gardens, as an establishment 
so desirable for the diffusion of knowledge, for the experimental intro- 
duction of foreign plants into our adopted country, or for multiplying 
the treasures which our own Flora offers, and as a healthy locality for 
recreation, will continue to receive the support of the Government 
and the Legislature; and I hope that, by still further extending the 
communications of this establishment with the Botanic Gardens of 
other countries, we shall succeed in keeping pace with the general 
advance of this great and flourishing country.” 
: 
