Ilie paint is not: capable of resisting the combined influences -of sun and rain in this climate 
find, after inquiries frouf various correspondents. I have arrived at the eonchmon that a plan 
of labelling outdoor plants in the tropics, capable of standing two ye rs is still a desideratum. 
A. plan of using iroft labels and brushing them over with a . unposition consisting of 
one part of chloride of copper, one of nitrate of copper, and one < : ammoniac dissolved in 
si.\t% -four parts of water to which is added one part of comnier* al hydrochloric acid has 
• , >JU ;,. ( i in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens with considerable sue .ess, but it was found to 
bo of no use in the Calcutta Gardens. _ * 
■Some little difficulty was experienced with the coolies in August and September last, 
it they are now working very well, and all signs of discontent hare disappeared. 
Chinese coolies were tried, but proved almost useless for any work which required am 
thought or calculation besides being more expensive than Javanese. 1 
Mr. Smith arrived in May to till the post vacated by the death of Mix A 7 i veil, and to 
his efforts in a great measure the improved general appearance of the gardens is due. 
2,188 baskets of flowers were supplied to subscribers and for public occasions, and 
10,400 plants have been distributed in Singapore and to other establishments in England 
and the Colonies. 
The gardens arc indebted to the V. A 0. Co,, Messrs. Hamilton, Gray A Co., Messrs. 
Sarkies A Moses. Messrs, AV. E. Bcott & Co.. Messrs. A. L. Johnston & Co., and especially 
n, Messrs. Guthrie A Co. for the conveyance of eases of plants by their vessels free of 
{•barge. 
1 have departed from my usual custom in not giving a detailed list of the plants 
introduced during the vear as it is of little local interest, but about (■()() newi species have been 
introduced • t 
A list of tile prineipal contributors of plants and seeds during the year is appended. 
.1 have. Ac., 
H. J. AlCKTOiS. 
. Zoological. Department. 
Little beyond the ordinary routine has been carried out, as t it ■ amount annually voted 
by the Government would not allow of any extensive addition . The services of the 
European Manager of this department, have been dispensed with for the same reason, and 
as the cost of keeping the large carnivora- was found to he more th n could conveniently be 
devoted to that purpose they were offered for sale, and one viz, the Tiger was sold for S2o0, 
The new monkey house presented by Air. CUeang Hong L u has been creeled and 
the small collection of monkeys placed in it. 
Just now it presents rather a naked appearance, a defect wliic will be remedied as the 
trees which have been planted around it grow larger. 
The enclosure which was originally intended for the kangaroos, lias been devoted to 
tiie doer after being enlarged. _ • 
A wire fence foi’ the deer is much needed on Garden Hoad side of the lake, as they are 
continually breaking through the wire netting enclose -e where they are now located, but 
the lowest estimate received for its erection for a le ^ of J85 yard viz 81,0b 
it beyond our present means. 
A small iron rod enclosure lias been erected neai to t 'ire + ’'" 
and the pieces of brick repiaining after building the drains y ) „ ’-egn 
to build a basin under the Carnivora cages, to receive all offal spd re ustcadyd 
allowing it to be absorbed info the ground, which has eonsidtra ly offensive 
smell orevioeslv emitted and which visitors to the gardens justly \ow 
The rhtuocecjos died in Juue and the- skeleton mounted in tr 1 - ... dition 
to which the following losses by death have occured 2 hangar. gourn pigeons, iv’ ; dtra 
1 wedge-tailed eagle, 1 emeu, 1 red faced macaque, 1 wallaby i pelicai 
the majority of which were sent to the Hallies Museum, 
\ ]i<t of contributors is appended but special thanks are du«po \\ . I , . 
Botanic Gardens Brisbane, for Jus many valuable and interesting donation .jg 
In conduction with Al l Krohu 1 have had labels prepared and 
boating the common and scientific names and native country of eae 
much appreciated h\ visitors. 
i have, A 
H.J.I- 
s "l- 
, places 
'pines Ac. 
/ 
