THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 83 



NOTES FROM THE BOTANIC GARDENS. 



A feature being made more prominent in connection with 

 recent improvements here by the director, Mr. Guilfoyle, is the 

 geographical grouping of plants in various beds on the lawns and 

 in plantations, the principal one being that now roughly for. ned 

 along the southern boundary fence of the gardens, and which is 

 devoted generally to Australian plants. Here have already been 

 placed between four and five hundred species, typical of about 

 two hundred genera. These include some of the most interesting 

 and beautiful of the native flora, such as Boronias, Callistemons, 

 Daviesias, Dillwynias, Eriostemons, Prostantheras, Grevilleas, 

 Hoveas, Melaleucas, Pultenaeas, Sprengelias, &c. 



In addition to these, in groups adjacent to the plantation, are 

 distinct collections of Eucalypts and Acacias. Some fifty species 

 of the former and forty of the latter (a large number of which have 

 but recently flowered) are contained therein. Apart from this 

 plantation, and in order to show the distinctive local character of 

 some of the Australian vegetation, the plants of Queensland and 

 Northern New South Wales are arranged in separate groups on 

 the lawns. The New Zealand plant groups are in course of 

 formation, and already contain some of the most interesting 

 types of the flora there met with. The collection of varied and 

 interesting trees, shrubs, &c, of America has been so increased, 

 a much larger group than the one in which they are now con- 

 tained is in progress of preparation. Cape plants may be seen 

 largely together on and about the principal rockery, near the 

 lake. 



While this and further geographical arrangements with regard 

 to groupings are being carried out, additions will also be made to 

 the number of truly botanical groups of natural orders, the whole 

 being carefully designed by Mr. Guilfoyle so as to harmonize 

 with and increase the beauty of the landscape and natural scenic 

 effects desired — F. P. 



NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 



We notice that some improvements have lately been effected 

 in the Zoological Gardens, chief among which is a large new 

 monkey-house, containing five divisions, and heated throughout. 

 The strange and human-like Orang-outans have now more scope 

 to display their antics, which afford much interest and amusement 

 to visitors ; other monkeys are also placed here which are unable 

 to withstand our cold weather. Two large aviaries have also 

 recently been constructed, one for Blackbirds and the other for 

 Thrushes, and as the aviaries are well stocked with shrubs, it is 

 hoped that the birds will breed. Several new animals of interest 



