CiiAP. T. 
BOTANY. 
9 
of different kinds, not however of much interest to the 
lover of ornamental flowering plants. Here, however, 
under the ever-dripping rocks, we find the beautiful 
Ghmta sinemis, a plant with elegant foxglove lilac 
flowers, which I sent to the Horticultural Society soon 
after I arrived in China, and which is now to be found 
in many of the gardens of England. 
The trees on the island are few, and generally in a 
stunted condition. The fir (Piniis sinensis) is common 
here, as it is all along the coast of China ; Cunninghamia 
sinensis is rare on Hong-kong, although frequently 
met with on the main land ; the tallow-tree is also 
indigenous, but no use is made of its fruit. Many kinds 
of the fig tribe are common, and one, the Ficus nitida, 
a kind of banyan, sometimes forms a very ornamental 
tree. Several species of bamboo seem to grow very well, 
and in the situations where they are found are strikingly 
ornamental. 
The only trees to the cultivation of which the Chinese 
pay any attention are the fruit-bearing kinds ; and in 
some places there are very fair orchards containing the 
Mango, Leechee, Longan, Wangpee, Orange, Citrons, 
and Pumelows. 
Although there are many more species of shrubs and 
trees indigenous to Hong-kong, yet after all the island has 
a barren and desolate appearance. The nature of the soil 
will always be a great barrier in the way of any improve- 
ment in this state of things ; but even this, to a certain 
extent at least, may be overcome by the liberality of the 
Government, or even by the energy and taste of private 
individuals, and Hong-kong or Victoria may become in 
B 3 
