l52 FOREST CtJIiittEE Ai^b 



plants as Echinoeactus platyeeras, with its fifty thou- 

 sand thorns and setae, should be cultivated in our open 

 grounds for horticultural trade, whereas the Cochineal 

 Cacti (Opuntia Tuna, O. coccinellifera and a few other 

 species), might well be still further distributed here, 

 in order that food may be available for the cochineal 

 insects when other circumstances in Australia will 

 become favorable for the local production of this cost- 

 ly dye. 



These are a few of many instances which might be 

 adduced to demonstrate how the landscape pictures 

 of Victoria might be embellished in another century, 

 -and new means of gain be obtained from additional 

 manifold resources. 



But while your thoughts are carried to other zones 

 and distant lands, let us not lose sight of the reason 

 for which we assembled, namely, to deal with utilita- 

 rian objects and the application of science thereon. 

 All organic structures, however, whether giants or 

 pigmies, whether showy or inconspicuous, have their 

 allotted functions to fulfill in nature, are destined to 

 contribute to our wants, are endowed with their spe- 

 cial properties, are heralding the greatness of the Cre- 

 ator. But here in this hall I would like to see dis- 

 played by pictorial art the most majestic forms in 

 nature, were it only to delineate for the studious the 

 physiognomy of foreign lands, irrespective of any 

 known industrial value of the objects thus sketched. 

 The painter's art in choosing from nature does impress 

 us most lastingly with the value and grandeur of its 

 treasures. Each plant, as it were, has a history of 

 discovery of its own ; who would not like to trace it ? 

 And this again brings us face to face with those who 



