BOTANIC AND DOMAIN GARDENS. 
J) 
groups, cut out of the sward ; and so arranged that the taller growing 
specimens are placed in the centre, the shrubs or herbaceous kinds in 
front. 
The curves are so formed that the visitor can read the name of 
each plant without walking on the beds ; and besides the botanical term 
and authority for it, the vernacular name, habitat, &c., is given upon 
the label. It is also my intention to place in each particular group a 
label detailing the general medicinal properties of the order, whether 
stimulant, febrifugal, demulcent, &c., &c., &c. By thus grouping the 
different orders, the requisite landscape effect is preserved, while the 
botanical student’s researches are facilitated. Very shortly other im- 
portant orders wall be located in suitable spots, including the Myrtacem, 
Leguminosas, Liliace®, Salacinem, Betulineaa, Sapiudace®, Malvaceas, 
Tiliaceas, Sterculiace®, Rubiacese and Araliacea?. So far as the work 
has proceeded, the improved appearance of the Gardens has been fully 
recognised and acknowledged. The classification and exhaustive cata- 
logue (the latter being nearly completed) will render easy the task of 
scientific enquirers, whose visits are actuated by other motives than 
mere admiration for beautiful scenes and landscape pictures. 
W bile on this subject, I may point out that the mere fact of some 
groups being at present incomplete as collections of the various species, 
is not to be taken as an indication that the Gardens are altogether 
deficient in genera which are unrepresented in the groups. It will be 
readily understood that until the rough work of formation is thoroughly 
over, a landscape gardener must be very careful in dealing with the 
sensitive material with which he has to produce his effects. It will 
also be apparent that while some varieties of plants are sufficiently 
hardy to be at once placed in the midst of the alterations going on 
around them, others necessary to complete the group require greater 
care in the manner and season of transplanting. Having explained the 
progress made thus far, in making the Botanic Garden really worthy of 
the name, it only remains to say that when the general design is com- 
pleted, thousands of very valuable botanic specimens will be planted out 
in their appropriate localities. I have every confidence that the result 
will be a garden in which facility of research, and scientific classifi- 
cation, will combine with sterling beauties of landscape scenery. 
It is scarcely necessary for me to contradict a statement which has 
been made, that valuable botanic specimen trees have been destroyed in 
the course of the improvements effected in these grounds. Every care 
has been taken of plants which it became necessary to remove ; and the 
