BOTANIC AND DOMAIN GARDENS. 
5 
Queensland, were purchased from Mr. Fitzallan (Botanical Collector at 
Bowen) and all have done well. Many of them which were planted 
upon the Buffalo grass lawn, are great acquisitions to the scenery, some 
being dispersed singly while others are grouped with Zamia spiralis or 
plants of similar character. The Palms, Cycads, Bamboos, Pampas 
grass, Arundo, Yuccas, Agaves, Cordylines, Draccenas, &c., which have 
also been planted singly and in groups on this lawn, give a general 
tropical effect, creating a variety of striking views from different points 
of observation. Two large specimens of Jubsea spectabilis (a hardy 
palm of great beauty) were brought from the grounds of the late Hon. 
M. O’Grady and planted on this lawn. Top-dressing was found neces- 
sary during the summer on account of the hard, clayey nature of the 
soil, especially in those places where the former pathways led down to 
the lake, and across the spot where the fern gully now exists. A rustic 
summer house with thatched roof has been erected near the rockery. 
The wood of which this house is built was obtained from the wattle 
scrub on the Yarra bank. It presents a neat and appropriate appear- 
ance, and will be supplied with water for drinking purposes — a matter 
which requires attention throughout the Gardens, before the summer sets 
in. At the bridge crossing the lagoon a tap and ladle have been 
temporarily placed, supplied with drinking water, by a syphon from one 
of the tanks of rain water at the Director’s house. A collection of Abies 
has been planted upon the new and extensive lawn near the Palm house. 
There were already in this spot near to the avenues of Poplar, Cypress, 
and Pines (which have been removed) well grown specimens of Abies 
Nordmaniana , Menziesi , excelsa , and Jezoensis ; and the following were 
added during’ the past year: — Abies, pindron , Cilicica , Smithiana (two 
fine specimens of the latter, over 8 feet in height, brought from the 
grounds of the late Hon. M. O’Grady), Abies orient alis,- Abies rubra and 
Frazeri. I hope to be able to add to the Gardens collection during the 
ensuing year by purchasing from the nurseries ot Messrs. Brunning, Lang, 
Harris, Taylor and Sangster, Cole, and other Victorian nurserymen and seed 
merchants, plants which are not at present represented in the Gardens. 
During the past three years (as will be seen from my previous reports) 
many hundreds of valuable plants have been added from their collec- 
tions, which were not to be found in the grounds when I took office, 
though many of them had long been known in some of the private 
gardens of Melbourne. That a full collection of native plants, should 
exist in the Botanic Gardens there is no doubt; and there should also 
be as complete a collection of exotics as it is possible to procure. The 
