over the silt pits were repaired and seats put up at the head of the Lake 
giving a vista down its length. The silt pits were also cleaned out and 
repaired. 
44. The lowering of the water level in the Lake also facilitated further 
investigation into the mystery of the complete disappearance of the waterlily 
population recorded in previous reports (1959, paragraph 76; I960, paragraph 
69) As soon as the water level had receded to a small muddy area at the 
lower end sweep netting was undertaken to trap the turtles. The presence 
of the Malayan Leathery-backed Mud Turtle (Trionyx cartilage us) was 
known and zoologists protested its carnivorous innocence, an alibi soon to 
be substantiated by the discovery of a second species of turtle that had no 
such horticulturally benign character. The other species was found to be 
Callagur borneoensis, an animal of known vegetarian habits. Some half dozen 
of this species were caught, one or two weighing over 50 lb. and their removal 
from the Lake subsequently led to such an overwhelming regeneration or 
Nelumbium and Nymphaea as to be a little embarrassing. That only half 
a dozen turtles could keep down the growth of these waterlilies dispersed 
thickly over about 3 acres of water is quite remarkable. 
45. Almost as soon as the mud was exposed by draining the Lake 
germination of Nymphaea began and soon a complete mat of plants was 
formed These must have come from a rich stock of seeds lying dormant 
in the mud for at least five years and which drying or an improved aeration 
stimulated to germinate. Material long thought lost was soon identifiable, 
for example, a blue Nymphaea which last flowered in 1953 reappeared in 
exactly the same spot in which it was then planted. 
46. While the Nymphaea was early to reappear, the Nelumbium did 
not start to grow till water had begun to accumulate again in the Lake. It 
very soon became rampant and strong measures had to be taken to curb 
this untidy plant and to prevent it completely smothering the desirable 
Nymphaea. Spraying the leaves with Agroxone, followed 2 weeks later by 
hand pulling of the unsightly trash and then by patrol rounds to catch the 
few regenerating survivors gave a very excellent degree of control. The surface- 
lying leaves of Nymphaea with careful handling of the spray escaped damage. 
47. Besides the six Callagur borneoensis turtles, ten Trionyx cartilagi- 
neus were also caught. All 16 were distributed to the University of Singapore, 
the National Museum, the Van Kleef Aquarium or to the Water Department. 
At the same time nearly 100 specimens of a fish called '‘Aruan” ( Charws 
micropeltes) were caught and distributed, but many were left. Acknowledge- 
ment is made to the Director, Tropical Fish Culture Research Institute, 
Malacca, for a supply of Tilapia zillii fingerings on whose advice the Lake has 
been restocked. 
Horticultural Work 
48 Thirty new beds were dug and borders reconditioned. The canna 
beds along the Main Gale Road were manured and replanted. The thick 
undergrowth along the road boundary of Lawn A was cut back and removed, 
exposing an interesting banyan ( Ficus retusa ) with many thick and long root 
stems The following plantings were carried out : Amherstia nobilis ; Bougain- 
villea ‘Easter Parade’; Lodoicea seychellarum ; Solarium wrightii ; S. wend- 
landii ; Cassia spectabilis ; Adenium coetanium; Nymphaea yellow variety; 
Victoria regia; Cydista acquinoctalis ; fpomoea tuberosa ; Durio zibethinus; 
Ochroma lagopus; J acquemontia violacea ; Coreopsis coronata ; C. delphini- 
folia ; C. lanceolata ; Rudbeckia laciniata ; R. hirta; R. fulzida; R. laciniata ; 
R. hybrida ; R maxima; R. amplexicaulis; Dianthus cassius; D. giganteus ; 
Si 
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