Useful Plants into Victoria. 109 



of small dimensions, is very durable, and not liable to the attacks 

 of insects. It is a very pretty tree. In Japan an oil is made 

 from the kernel of the nut of T. nucifera, and used for culinary 

 purposes. It is a very handsome tree. 



Art. XIV. — On Railway Gradients. By William Austen 

 Zeal, Esq., C.E., Melbourne. 



[Read before the Institute, 2nd September, 1857.] 



Mr. President and Gentlemen, — The discussion of a sub- 

 ject of so much importance to every colonist in Victoria, 

 cannot be considered at a more opportune time than the present ; 

 and, no Institute in this province, can with greater advantage 

 to the public express its opinion at this particular crisis, than 

 this Society can now do. 



Impressed with this idea, I have written this paper, being 

 convinced no undertaking will have more influence on the future 

 well-being of this great country, than the extension of Eailways 

 throughout its length and breadth. This I conceive to be a suffi- 

 cient incentive for my claiming for it all the publicity so 

 important a question demands. 



Victoria, in fact the whole Australian continent, must rely 

 upon, and find in Eailways the one great means by which the 

 interior will be rendered available for colonization. Denied the 

 advantage of water carriage, like that possessed by all other 

 countries, an artificial mode of intercommunication must be 

 resorted to, and the Eailroad will be called upon to undertake 

 the united duties of Eoad and Eiver ; and from all former expe- 

 rience no better agency can be employed, no more expeditious 

 mode of transit could here be initiated, than that offered by the 

 Eailway system. 



It is well-known when Eailways were first introduced in 

 Britain, the observance of this fundamental law was rigorously 

 enforced ; — that the surface of the Eails should form as 

 nearly as practicable a horizontal line and for a lengthened 

 period it was deemed impossible to ascend an incline by locomo- 

 tive power, except under the most favourable circumstances. 



Corroborative of this fact, is an instance patent to all con- 

 versant with Eailway History ; viz. : the virulent opposition the 

 English South Western Company experienced at the hands of the 



