viii Description of the Botanic Gardens^ 
of a large and handsome building, the plans for which are in the hands of the Public Works Department. 
The portion erected is devoted to a large and choice collection of handsome colored and ornamental 
foliage plants, from various parts of the world, and includes some large specimens of choice palms, 
crotons, cordylines, and numerous rare flowering plants. The older conservatory of the two larger ones 
has been converted into a fernery, where a collection of five or six hundred species of these well-known 
and universally admired jjlants is grown. A portion of this building, however, has been devoted to 
some of the more tender economic ijlatits, including the mango, breadfruit, coffee, sugar-cane, cinnamon, 
the chocolate tree, and man5' other plants of commerce. The third conservatory is occupied by an 
extensive collection of succulent plants — Ca<;ti and others ; while the last house is set apart for the 
Victoria rcgia— royal water lily. Although the space for this grand water jilant is limited by the size 
of the house, still some very fair sized leaves and flowers are from time to time developed. 
**7th. Large and well grown types of Victorian and Australian vegetation, including large species of 
Eucalypti, Araucarias, Acacias, Coryphas and other palms ; also, of introduced x>lants, as Ulmus, 
Pinus, Cupressus, &c., placed about on the lawns and in other positions to harmonize with the outer 
surroundings and increase the picturesque views to be had from almost any part of the grounds. 
On the eastern sward a series of beds have been formed, to contain a large collection of the trees 
and shrubs of Queensland. 
" One of the principal uses of the department is shown by the great attention which is jiaid to the introducing, 
raising, and propagation of plants of utilitarian value, for the purpose of distribution to various parts of the colony 
and elsewhere, with the ulterior object of establishing and fostering new industries. As an instance, during this year, 
some sixty or more persons — fanners, selectors, and othei-s throughout the colony — have been sujjplied with seeds of 
Ricinus communis — the castor oil tree — and other useful i)lants, for the purpose of testing their value as remimerative 
croiis. There is a large market just now for the reception of any quantity of castor oQ beans for the manufacture 
of oil. A vast quantity of a variety of aiTowroot, Canna edulis ("tons les mois"), has been prox)agated and largely 
distributed. Some of the arrowroot manufactured from this plant is already in the market, having been prepared at 
the Eamahyuck Aboriginal Station, under the superintendence of the Rev. F. A. Hagenauer, as well as by other 
private enterprise. Seeds, plants, cuttings, &c., of olives, as well as numerous grasses and fodder plants, have been 
freelj' distributed, with the objects of testing their adaptability for culture in this colony, and the probable value 
of their returns, either solely or in addition to their already well-jiroved remunerative crops. 
** Experiments are from time to time carried on at the laboratory for the purpose of testing the products, 
making preparations, and obtaining extracts from various plants, with the view of ascei-taining their uses, economic 
value, and a<:laptability for extensive cultivation. The value and results of these exiieriments were to be seen 
in the large exhibit sho-wn at the late International Exhibition. Among the exliibits were 8G different samples of 
fibres prepared from native and introduced plants growing in the gardens ; 49 sami>les of paper prepared from various 
plants ; specimens of woods from 140 kinds of native trees ; and also samples of chemical preparations and vegetable 
extracts, numbering in all about 100 kinds, and including dyes, gums, resins, oils, and other articles <^f commerce, 
principally from native i^lants. 
"Extensive interchanges of seeds, plants, and cuttings have been kept up with similar and kindred institutions 
throughout the colonies, and in England, France, Germany, Russia, America, China, Mauritius, India, Japan, 
Cape of Good Hope, Straits Settlements, South Sea Islands, and other parts of the globe, for the purpose of 
mtroduchig new or rare plants for the enrichment of the gai-den collection, and with the object of acclimatising 
such as might prove of commei-cial value for the benefit of the colony. For this j)urpose of interchange, as well as 
for the replenishment and providing of stock for the grounds, and constant improvements which are being carried on, 
and also for the stocking and keeping up a floral display in the conservatories, thousands of plants are annually 
raised in tlie propagating division of the department. 
"A catalogue of the whole of the plants in cultivation has been for some time and is still in the hands of the 
Government Printer, but it is expected to be ready for general use by the early part of 1S83. "When published, 
it will, no doubt, prove of great service to the public, as a reference giving interesting particulars concerning 
the plants of the garden. 
"Three rustic summer houses, built principally with colonial woods, have been placed in suitable positions 
for the convenience of the public. These are ornamentally designed, being octangvJar in shape, and having gable 
openings at intervals around the walls. The roofs are composed of thatch, the ceilings and walls being lined 
with beaded boards : small circular blocks of colonial woods, sunk perpendicularly, compose the floor, while around 
the walls a rustic seat is fixed — the houses affording accommodation for some 50 persons. 
" Among the recent works has been the preparation for and formation of a grouj) of jilants used for medicinal 
purposes. This collection, recently planted, at present numbers about 170 different species. They have each a 
metallic label placed before them, with full particulars as to the plant. Students and others interested in 
medicines can see at once and thoroughly inspect a large number of the plants with which they in their practices 
are being constantly brought into contact. A large quantity of the leaves, fruit, and roots of this class of plants 
are frequently being distributed to applicants, on the recommendation of medical men, for use in preparations or 
applications for the alleviation of i>ain and the effecting of remedies in certain sicknesses. The increasing of this I 
class of plants is an object always kejjt in view. Two groups— one of dwarf flowering plants, solely Australian, 
situated on the western lawn, and among which are some of the choicest of this colony's flora ; the other, on the 
margins of the eastern and central lawns, containing a large collection of the most beautiful of the flowering 
Bhruhs at present in the garden — have recently been formed. The latter will be useful to the public for noting the 
names of such shrubs as they may deem desirable for adorning their various private gardens. 
