BOTANIC AND DOMAIN GARDENS. 
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from its extent of acreage and great natural capabilities, admits of 
diversified treatment. 
I have spoken of contrasted foliage. The imposing effect of this, 
even without the adjunct of a single flower, may be seen in an excellent 
picture (by Sonntag) in the Melbourne National Gallery, entitled “A 
Scene on the Hudson ” showing the remarkable results produced by 
such combinations. Lower down on this new Lawn, near the margin 
of the lake, will be placed Salacinere, Betulineas, and Sapindacere ; 
such a position being particularly suited to them, as they are lovers of 
moisture. 
The Fern Gully now contains an extensive collection of beautiful 
plants. Where half a dozen species only were formerly represented, a 
space about 140 yards iu length, with slopes of 50 yards at the widest 
part, is filled with graceful representatives of the fern kingdom, and 
species of trees and shrubs loving cool shade and moisture. The arboreal 
ferns include some magnificent specimens of Alsophila Australis, 
Alsophila excelsa, Dicksonia antarctica, Dicksouia squarrosa, Dicksonia 
Youngiana, Cyathea medullaris, Cyathea dealbata (silver tree fern), 
Cyathea Cunninghami and Hemitelia Smithii &c. The dwarf ferns com- 
prise many species of Pteris, Aspidium, Asplenium, Lomaria, Davallia, 
Acrostichum, Todea, Polypodium, Adiantum, and many others. 
Plentifully distributed amongst these ferns which are in patches along 
the water course, and aiding to give a tropical appearance to this seques- 
tered spot, are Caunas, Musa, Alpinias, Callas, Taro, Arundo, Hydrangeas, 
Gynerium (Pampas grass) Dianellas, Phormium tenax (New Zealand 
flax) and scores of other plants of a similar character. Amongst the 
tall trees, (transplanted to afford the requisite shade) are many specimens 
of Gleditschias, Grevilleas, Pittosporum, Ulrnus, Platanus, Ailantlius, 
Ficus, Tristania, Tamarix, Dammara, Melaleuca, Quercus, and others 
too numerous to mention. Besides these, are two fine specimens of 
Strelitzia Augusta, one of which had been grown for years in the 
Palm house ; the other was obtained a few days ago from Mr. Smith, of 
Adelaide. Upwards of 60 healthy plants of Panax elegans, raised from 
seed forwarded through the kindness of Walter Hill, Esq., Director of 
the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, have been placed in the Gully. A 
number of epiphytal ferns — the Stag-horn and Elk-horn Platyceriums, 
and the bird’s nest Asplenium, received from the same gentleman, have 
been fixed on the shade trees ; forming capitals to the colonnade of stems. 
Clinging to these trees are graceful climbers, profusely planted for the 
purpose of affording a canopy of shade to this tropical dell. Here, also, 
