10 



esting as indicating a former connection between lands in the Southern hemisphere. It is probable 

 that the Australian expedition to the South Polar regions may throw some light on this question. Sama- 

 dera is noteworthy inasmuch as the oil, expressed from the kernel of the fruit, is used in the East for 

 rheumatism ; the wood is a good tonic, and the bark has febrifugal properties. 



The collection of Palms is always much admired for the great variety of their graceful forms. 

 Labels of an indestructible nature have been substituted for the old wooden labels ; they are made by 

 Druery of London, and are composed of enamelled iron. Several of the Palms have fruited, some for 

 the first time, as Oreodtxa regia, Hyophorbe amarieaulis, Areea triandra, Areca Alicia, Dypsis madagas- 

 eariensis, Stevensonia grandifolia, Hydriastele Wendlandiana. 



The Water Lily Tank is wonderfully beautiful with its surroundings of Palms, Bamboos, and 

 grassy slopes and the placid surface of bright water on which float the symmetrical leaves of white and 

 pink lilies. In the centre is the Victoria regia, sadly dwarfed by its narrow confines. 



From the brightness of the still Lily pool it is a grateful contrast to visit the shady Ferneries 

 with the quick stream dancing over the stones, or to study at leisure the named collection in the Fern 

 house. 



Among economic plants that are examined attentively, may be mentioned the Nutmeg Tree, with 

 its yellow fruit splitting and displaying the " mace" a network of scarlet covering and half concealing 

 the brown nut underneath ; the elegant Cinnamon Tree with 3-veined leaves and aromatic bark ; the 

 spicy Cloves of commerce, the unopened flower-buds of Caryophyllus aromaticus ; the white flowered 

 Vanilla, clinging to some moss-grown tree trunk, or hanging in festoons, an appropriate framing to a 

 group of ferns ; the grove of Liberian coffee shrubs, with dark-green leaves, white flowers, and large 

 red berries ; the cocoa, with the small pretty flowers growing out of the trunk, and followed by the 

 large, yellow or purple pods ; its rival, the Cola or Bissy Nut Tree ; the African .Rubbers, (Landolphia) 

 climbers, and so contrasting with the Honduras Rubber Tree (Gastilloa elastica), and similar to the 

 native Rubber Withe — (Forsteronia floribunda). 



It has been proposed to lease a certain portion of the Castleton grounds, not under cultivation, 

 at a nominal rent to the Boston Fruit Company for the purpose of maintaining Rest Houses for the 

 accommodation of visitors. This will be of great benefit, as it will enable visitors to spend a night at 

 Castleton with more time for careful examination, and with less fatigue for those who are in delicate 

 health. 



As the centre for distribution of plants has been changed to Hope Gardens, most of those propa- 

 gated at Castleton have been sent there. Many were also sent to the Exhibition grounds, and for the 

 Avenue borders at King's House. The following are the actual numbers : — 



Plants sent to Mope Gardens and Exhibition Grounds. 



Roses ... ... 6,318 



Palms ~. ... 1,504 



Ferns (Tree Ferns included) ... 3,000 



Crotons ... ... 850 



Various Shrubs and Trees ... 3,980 



Fruit and other Economic Plants ... 1,015 



Begonias ... ... 14 



Pine Suckers ... ... 36 



Lilies ... ... 21 



Total ... 16,738 



Seeds sent to Hope Gardens : — 



98 Packets various Seeds. 



Plants sent direct to Exhibition grounds : — 



Palms ... ... 1,645 



Shrubs, various ... ... 1,889 



Climbers ... ... 410 



Crotons ... ... 190 



Ferns ... ... 1,645 



Total ... 5,779 



Plants -sent to King' 's m m House : — 



Crotons ... ••• 130 



Palms ... — 70 



Ferns ... •« 16 



Roses; ... ... 1° 6 



Various Shrubs ... ••• 1,634 



Total ~ 1,956 



