10 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE 
seeds and plants of his district. Mr. McBirnie of the Industrial Museum 
kindly gave me three cuttings of the shellac plant (Ficus religiosa) 
which I have been able to multiply. This valuable substance ({Shellac) 
is in India obtained from many plants, and locality favouring production 
there more in one plant than another, we may yet be able to find some 
tree in this colony upon which the lac insect would thrive much better 
than on any of those highly tropical trees. The successful introduction 
of this insect into the warmer parts of Victoria, New South Wales and 
the other colonies, would result in the production of a most important 
article of commerce, and the experiment is well worth trying. I would 
offer the suggestion to the notice of the Acclimatisation Society. I do 
not think the attempt has ever yet been made in any of the Australian 
Colonies. As it is well known that the lac insect does not confine itself 
to the Ficus religiosa but thrives on many other trees, it is certainly 
advisable to make the attempt, for if but one species of tree could be 
discovered suitable to its habits a valuable industry would be created. 
For instance the State Forests of Victoria might be utilised in a large 
degree by the introduction of even such an atom as this insect. 
The piece of ground known as the Botanic Gardens reserve and 
intended to be used as a cow paddock for Government House has been 
added to the Garden proper. It consists of thirty acres and the Garden 
would never be complete without it. A proper experimental ground 
upon a large scale, for the purpose of growing or acclimatising useful 
plants for distribution amongst those colonists who would be glad to 
cultivate them will thus be provided for. Another spot in the Domain 
can easily be selected for a cow paddock. This annexation will admit 
of handsome entrances to the Botanic Garden from the South Yarra 
drive one from Park and Millswyn streets one from Anderson street and 
another nearly opposite to the botanical Museum near the Observatory. 
At the latter entrance I have placed “pro tern” the Director’s office. 
The two rooms formerly used for the purpose in my private residence 
left me insufficient accommodation for domestic purposes. The per- 
manent office however should be either central or at one of the principal 
entrances easily accessible to the public ; and when practicable it would 
be highly desirable to add to it a free botanical library and museum of 
dried plants Carpological specimens &c., for the use of the public. , 
It is necessary that a fence should be erected along the bank of the 
Yarra to prevent larrikins from entering the Gardens at forbidden times 
and when practicable it will be advisable to have lodges built at all the 
entrances to the Garden. 
