12 
As decennia roll on, many of tlie trees, which under great efforts are now introduced, will 
undoubtedly bear prominence in our forest culture, a great subject which more and more presses on 
legislative attention, since already so much of the native timber in all the lowlands has been consigned 
to destruction. If, in densely populated countries like Belgium, cne-fifth of the whole of its territory 
is scrupulously kept under forest culture, it ought to be a final aim, in a far hotter clime, to maintain a 
still greater proportion of its area covered by woods, if the comforts and multifarious wants of a dense 
population are to bo timely provided for. It is especially in the western and northern parts of Victoria 
where exertions in this direction have to be made ; it is there where extensive shelter and retention of 
humidity is needed, and there also where artesian borings on spots, indicative as eligible, would vastly 
promote the raising of forests. 
By your kind concession, Sir, I was enabled to spend in the beginning of this year one week in 
Tasmania with a view of adding, by field observations and new collections, to the material of my works. 
This journey (my first to the island) was to me replete with interest. For although I had aided in the 
elucidation of the Tasmanian vegetation for more than twenty years from museum plants, I had no 
opportunity until this year to observe the many highland plants, absolutely peculiar to the island, in 
their wild native grace. Moreover, I succeeded, within the brief time of my visit, to ascend Mount 
Field East, about 5,000 feet high, lying about half way between Hobarton and Macquarie Harbor; and 
as this mountain range and the shores of Lake Fenton had not been subjected to any previous 
phytological investigation, it fell to my share to obtain copious novel information on the distribution 
of the alpine plants of Tasmania. To contrast the consociations of these and their geological relations 
with those of the Australian Alps proved in a high degree instructive. 
The Museum collections become more and more important, and their value as a lasting source of 
authentic information for centuries to come can never be over-estimated. It remains, however, a source 
of regret that no more amateur collectors in far inland localities send spontaneously plants, simply 
pressed and dried; by which means much would be learnt additionally on the range of different species 
over the 'continent, and their variation in form. The facilities for obtaining on any plants reliable 
information, always cheerfully given, might in all future also not be equally great, nor the opportunities 
of literary record always remain the same. If to the several hundred thousand plants in the Museum 
still a collection could be added, rich in authentic specimens, described in works during the earlier parts 
of this century, we would then possess one of the grandest institutions for phytographic research any- 
where in existence. 
The want of an appropriate hall, with proper fittings, has prevented special teaching by lectures 
in the Garden. But as an illustrious Professor of Natural Sciences also teaches phytology at the 
University, it might be desirable to restrict any future occasional demonstrative lectures in this place to 
those industrial phytological subjects, through which science enters into occupations of daily practical 
life, occupations of which many in this young country have still to be called forth. It might be desirable 
also, with a view of diffusing a vivid knowledge on the native vegetation, to arrange for occasional 
Saturday afternoon excursions of students and amateurs to botanically interesting spots in the vicinity 
of the city. 
Whatever may be the decision in reference to the organization of the general Industrial Museum 
in the city, there should certainly one spacious room in the Garden likewise be available as a store of 
object of leading importance, emanating from plants of different parts of the globe. Such vegetable 
objects, like those in Sir Will. Hooker’s great institution of Xew, could no more advantageously be 
studied than in connection with the living plants of the Garden or conservatories here. 
The timber, fibres, resins, gums, dyes, paper-materials, drugs, oils, alkalies, and many chemical 
educts from plants of Australia could be contrasted with similar products of other countries ; the pro- 
cesses of manufacture and their technological and commercial value be demonstrated; while subjects 
relating to culture of any kind could be elucidated, diseases of plants by objects and drawings illustrated, 
and many other kindred enquiries drawn into the vitality of practical application. Thus I may instance 
that It seems not generally known how our common Eucalyptus leaves under Kamel’s process can be 
converted into cigars, or how the same leaves serve as a remedy in intermittent fever, 
I herewith beg to submit the fourth volume of the work on all Australian Plants, elaborated, 
under my aid, by the President of the Linnean Society. This volume brings the number of species 
alrefidy described to nearly 5,000. For the fifth volume, which is to embrace mainly the Monoch- 
lamyde3e, the whole material in our Museum has been preliminarily prepared. Hitherto, precisely fifty 
