BOTANIC AND DOMAIN GARDENS. 
9 
money well spent, for I will guarantee the bridge lasts for as many 
years as it has cost pounds. In forming it, two stout stone buttresses 
were firmly bedded into the clay bottom of the lake, and built up to 
the requisite height. Four massive beams were then fixed across these 
buttresses, and the beams planked with stout red gum, bolted to them. 
On this was laid rough asphalte, in which orange gi’avel was embedded. 
Slanting beams — four in number, placed under the bridge, gave it addi- 
tional strength. Planks were then nailed to the sides, to support the 
virgin cork with which the arch is faced. The cork has been arranged 
in irregular masses, giving the appearance of rock work. The buttresses 
of moss covered stone, obtained from Yarra bend, blend well with the 
cork. The rustic railing was made of wood obtained in the grounds, 
(the material being furnished by superfluous limbs of old gum trees, &c.) 
strongly attached to the frame work. In constructing this bridge, 
several matters had to be considered — appearance, economy, and 
stability. With respect to the first item, the public verdict on that 
point is satisfactory ; so far as stability is concerned, I may mention 
that the bridge is freely used for the passage of a horse and cart 
employed in the grounds — a thing absolutely impossible with the former 
structure. As to economy, the cost was undoubtedly less than a quarter 
of the sum that would have been asked for in a contract. Added to 
these facts, I was enabled, by personally directing its construction, to 
give it the precise appearance I wished, and to get the work done 
immediately. 
The lakes have been kept in order ; and the Confervae mentioned in 
a previous report practically annihilated. The wild fowl are still 
plentiful, especially in the open season, when the immunity afforded by 
this sheet of water seems understood by the birds. The swans, seven 
in number, are thriving. There are three serious nuisances occasionally 
experienced in the Garden, in the shape of rabbits, wild cats, and dogs. 
The rabbits are very numerous and mischievous. They get into the 
drains, and burrow holes under the foundations of trees. The cats are 
very destructive to the small birds, particularly the English thrushes. 
The latter, however, I am glad to say, exist in considerable numbers in 
the gardens. The dogs hunt both cats and rabbits, and are thus 
perhaps the greatest nuisance of the trio. I have again to note the 
kindness of Colonel Anderson in allowing me the use of the pontoon 
raft to remove a large Pinus lialepensis to one of the islands in the lake, 
where it now forms a conspicuous object in the landscape. Several 
