7 
Baeckea utilis, from Mount Aberdeen, might serve travellers in those 
desolate localities as tea, for the volatile oil of its leaves resembles oreatlv 
in taste and odour that of lemons — not without a pleasant, peculiar aroma. 
Trigonella suavissima proved valuable as an antiscorbutic spinage in Sir Thomas 
Mitchell’s expedition ; and the Tetragonella implexicoma, the various Carda- 
mines, Nasturtium terrestre, or Lawrencia spicata, may likewise be used for the 
same purpose. The root of Scorzonera Lawrencii— a favourite food of the 
natives — would form, if enlarged by culture, an agreeable substitute for 
Scorzonera Ilispanica, or Asparagus ; and Anistorae glacialis — a large-rooted 
umbelliferous plant, from the snowy top of Mount Duller — will be added, 
perhaps, hereafter, to the culinary vegetables of the colder climates, ^eeds of 
the latter plants, amongst many others, have been procured for the Botanic 
(Jardens. Santalum lanceolatum, Mesembryanthernum aequilaterale, Lepto- 
meria pungens, and Leptomeria acerba, deserve notice for their agreeable fruit. 
It would lead too far to enumerate the numerous modest, but lovely, or 
even the more attractive ornamental plants, which will no doubt hereafter con- 
tribute to adorn the gardens here and at home. Still, in a general sketch of 
our vegetation, I ought not to pass unmentioned, in this regard, the magnificent 
(irevillea Victoria} ; the splendid parasite of the Fern tree, Basileophyta Friderici 
Augusti, on which the name of the royal botanist has been bestowed ; and the 
grand Cornea Latrobeana, — three of the most gorgeous plants discovered 
(luring my last expedition. 
In accordance with His Excellency’s instructions, a collection of dried 
specimens of jfiants has been commenced for the Govei’ument. This Herbarium 
will be at all times accessible to tlie public, and will hereafter contribute, I 
trust, to diffuse, more and more, knowledge of our vegetable world, and excite 
lovers of natural science to assist in my investigations. I began to form, at the 
same time, a similar collection for the Royal Gardens at Kew. 
I am happy to report that the Botanic Gardens are in a very prosperous 
state, and that the establishment does great honour to the able management of 
its Superintendent. The addition of a large greenhouse, which His Excellency 
has been pleased to sanction, upon the recommendation of the Committee, will 
be most useful as a receptacle for tropical productions ; and a considerable piece 
of ground has been prepared, this year, to rear all the seeds which have lately 
been collected for the garden, or which were liberally presented. 
The Committee deemed it also desirable that an iron foot-bridge for 
crossing the Yarra should be procured from home, to afford an easier access 
to the Garden for the inhabitants of the eastern part of Melbourne ; and by 
this means the number of visitors — ah’eady (chiefly on Sundays) very con- 
siderable — will, doubtless, greatly increase. 
I trust, therefore, that the Botanic Gardens, as an establishment so 
desirable for the diffusion of knowledge, for the experimental introduction of 
foreign plants into our adopted country, or for multiplying the treasures which 
our own Idora offers, and as a healthy locality for recreation, will continue to 
receive the support of the Government and the Legislature ; and 1 hope that, 
by still further extending the communications of this establishment with the 
Botanical Gardens of other countries, we shall succeed in keeping pace with 
the general advance of this great and flourishing countr}". 
I have the honor to be. 
Sir, 
Your most obedient and humble Servant, 
DR. FERDINAND MUELLER, 
Government Botanist. 
The Honorable 
The Colonial Secretary. 
