9 
of our resources. The extension of the Museum building stands also much in need, 
though the contemplated large middle room for the display of timber and other vegetable 
products, whether commercially or medicinally or technologically important, cannot be 
effected with the vote available during this year, since much of the outer fencing needs 
to be renewed, and additions to be made to several of the other buildings of the depart- 
ment. 
Multifarious other engagements have rendered it impossible for me to resume field 
labors during the last season ; but I cherish a hope to be able to complete the botanical 
survey of East Gipps Land during the coming summer, a part of our territory not even 
geographically well explored. We may presume that on the forest mountains and in the 
jungle-glens between the Genoa River and Snowy River the discovery of plants still new 
will reward the search, and that the precise southern limits of many species from the 
warmer parts of East Australia will be ascertained. Mr. Dallachy, under considerable 
disadvantages, and occasionally not without imminent danger arising from the hostility 
of the natives, continues zealously to collect in the densely wooded humid ranges about 
RockinghanVs Bay, and he is requested to endeavor to reach the crests of the Bellenden 
Ker Range, the highest mountain tract of intertropical Australia, and the most promising 
which remains to be explored. Indeed, we may presume that whenever the high hills of 
North-East Australia have been scrutinized by an experienced traveller, not many hundred 
new plants (if Fungi are excluded) will be left to be discovered throughout the wide 
tracts of this continent. The Fungus Flora, however, will entail special observations foi 
many years. 
A brisk interchange is maintained with kindred institutions abroad and in the 
colonies, as will be manifest from the subjoined list of contributions, many of which are 
exclusively donations, and evince the continued generous interest which the Garden and 
Museum experienced. From many mercantile firms we have enjoyed tree tiansit for 
consignments, and the aid rendered in this direction by the Peninsular and Oriental 
Steam Navigation Company is beyond all praise. Among the various and important 
plants recently acquired are the Colchicum, the Inca Maize (obtained from Maishal 
Santa Cruz, Peruvian Ambassador in Paris), various new varieties of fruits, the A alonia 
Oak, Tragacanth plant, Tanners Sumach, Senna, the American Percimoon (obtained 
through the kindness of Consul Blanchard), the Chinese Tallow tree, the Jalap plant 
(secured by L. A. Bernays, Esq.), the edible Cluster Fig tree of North-East Australia, 
Pistacia Terebintlius, and many others numbered in the accompanying plan. 
Of the West Australian Mahagoni tree, which yields a wood so completely resisting 
decay in sea water, a large number of plants are in our nurseries. 
Mr. G. Coppin has most attentively arranged for the introduction of some of the 
hardy Vines of North America, the cultivation of which has of late attracted so much 
attention. 
Future more extended border culture cannot be attempted with the means at our 
command, though to the tree plantations on our lawns may be added, and the variety ot 
plants cultivated on our borders be vastly increased from extratropical and subtropical 
countries. Contending with great sterility of soil and with the growth of weeds, active 
throughout the year, it would be vain to attempt maintaining a larger area neatly under 
cultivation. The proportions of ground under spade culture, and that occupied by arboreta, 
are indicated on the plan. 
For the further embellishment of the existing borders we might prominently effect 
large introductions of South African plants through a special emissary, since no country of 
the world would more abundantly yield plants of ornament calculated to piospei in this 
climate. As yet we have of the immense number of Pelargonia, Mesembryanthema, Eiica?, 
Oxalides, Phylicse, Stapelise, Aloes, llelichrysa, leguminous, iridaceous plants and otheis 
indigenous to South Africa, comparatively but a limited number ; most of these would 
No. 72— b. 
