190 NEW SOUTH WALES. 



peculiar to North America; many other forms decidedly North 

 American were also met with, a circumstance which, from the 

 difference of geographical position, distance, and climate, was not 

 to be expected; but for these details I must refer to the Botanical 

 Report. 



All seem to have been struck with the apparent monotony of the 

 scenery, foliage, and flora, although in reality the latter presents 

 great variety. The general sentiment wa>, that they were fatigued 

 by it, which is not a little surprising, as the Australian Flora rivals in 

 number of species that of Brazil. This feeling may be accounted for 

 by the overpowering impression that is made by the gum trees, whose 

 foliage is of a dark sombre green. There is also something in the 

 general absence of underbrush; and the trees are so distant from one 

 another that there is no need of roads, so that a carriage may drive 

 any where. 



The trees are in general tall in proportion to their diameter, with 

 an umbrella top, and have the appearance of being thinly clad in 

 foliage. No woody vines are to be seen, nor any parasitic plants. 

 In many places a stunted growth of detached shrubs, called in the 

 colony "scrub," exists, which might be termed one of their "forests" 

 in a dwarf shape. 



In the Illawarra district a totally distinct state of things exists. 

 Here is to be found all the luxuriance of the tropics — lofty palms, 

 among them the Corypha australis, with tree-ferns of two or more 

 varieties, different species of Ficus, a scandent Piper, and very many 

 vines. The forest of this district is thick, and alive with animal 

 life. 



This district is about fifty miles long, and forms a semicircular 

 area about thirty miles in its greatest width. The peculiarity of the 

 situation of this district would tend to show what would have been 

 the probable state of New Holland, or rather its eastern side, if the 

 mountains were sufficiently high to intercept the moisture of the 

 ocean, and prevent the access to it of the dry hot winds from the 

 interior. Illawarra may be termed the granary of New South Wales ; 

 here the crops seldom if ever fail, and are very abundant. 



The flower-gardens at and in the neighbourhood of Sydney would 

 do credit to any part of the world. Among the most conspicuous are 

 the Botanic Garden and that of Mr. M'Leay. The latter particularly 

 interested us. It is situated on Elizabeth Bay, beyond or within 

 Wooloomoloo. The house, which displays much taste, is built of 



