182 NEW SOUTH WALES. 



England, Mauritius, the Cape of Good Hope, the East Indies, and 

 America. The flower-gardens at and in the neighbourhood of Sydney 

 would do credit to any part of the world. 



The Norfolk Island pine, and that from Moreton Bay, (the Arau- 

 caria Cunninghamii,) thought by some to be as handsome a tree as the 

 one from Norfolk Island, were also among the plantations. From the 

 flower-garden a walk leads through a lattice-work bower, covered with 

 native Bignonias and passion-flowers, into the kitchen and fruit-garden. 

 These we found well stocked with fruit and vegetables of almost all 

 European kinds, which seem to thrive particularly well here. The 

 kindness, attention, and hospitality, with which we were received and 

 treated, will long be gratefully remembered. To Mr. M'Leay, the 

 Expedition is indebted for much aid, and through him our collections 

 were increased. The English oak thrives well, and many fine speci- 

 mens of it were seen. From the information I have received, very 

 many of the Australian plants succeed admirably in England. 



The soil of Sydney consists of black mould, mixed with a clean 

 white sand. The quantity of sand is such, as in the dry seasons to 

 affect the vegetation. This sand I understood is now exported to 

 England at a great profit, being found a valuable article in the 

 manufacture of plate glass. This soil, however, is made to yield a 

 plentiful supply of fruits and vegetables ; and the display exhibited at 

 the Horticultural Exhibition was highly creditable, not only for the 

 perfection to which the productions had been brought, but for their 

 great variety. The exhibition was held in the large market-house in 

 George Street, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion with 

 branches and festoons of flowers. In front of the door was an arch 

 formed of beautiful flowers, with the motto " Advance, Australia !" 

 surmounted by a crown, and the letters V. R. in yellow flowers. 

 Behind this the band was stationed, which, on our entrance, struck up 

 Yankee Doodle. Tickets were sent to the consul for those belonging 

 to the squadron. There were a great many South American plants in 

 pots. A premium was received for Tropseolum pentaphyllum, Mau- 

 randya Barclayana, and for two species of Calceolaria. There were 

 likewise Amaryllis belladonna and umbellata, Bouvardia triphylla, 

 Cobasa scandens, and several Passifloras, and a variety of hyacinths, 

 dahlias, tuberoses, &c, all fine. 



The grapes exhibited were beautiful, and some of them in very 

 large clusters. Nectarines, peaches, apples, pears, small oranges, 

 shaddocks, pine-apples, chestnuts, and walnuts, were also in abun- 

 dance. 



After viewing the fruit we examined the vegetables, which consisted 



