190 
We have sometimes heard it said that it was the presence of Waratahs in 
abundance that caused Botany Bay to receive the name it now bears. That, 
however, has no foundation on fact. The name is probably a translation of " Coste 
des herbaiges " (the coast of plants or pastures), a name given in an old 16th century 
chart to part of Eastern Australia. Those who desire to look into the matter are 
invited to turn to The Historical Records of Neiv South Wales, vol. i, Part i, p. 161. 
Cook's name for Botany Bay was " String-ray Harbour." 
It soon attracted the attention of gardeners in Britain, and was sent home 
very shortly after the foundation of the Colony of New South Wales. Following are a 
few later records. 
Governor Hunter, writing to Under Secretary King, in June, 1797, says: " I am 
concerned to say that ... we can have no prospect of getting the Warata plant 
home ... I have long wanted to send some for the King's gardens, but the want 
of favourable opportunitys have constantly prevented me." 
Lieut.-Governor King brought a plant to Sir Joseph Banks, which arrived in 
London during the same month. Governor King sent a box of Waratahs to Sir Joseph 
Banks in August, 1801. (Hist. Records, iv, 514.) 
Governor Bligh sent Warrataw seeds to Sir Joseph Banks in 1807 (Hist. Records, 
vi, 380). 
Camellia japonica, variety anemonifiora, is a very handsome crimson form with 
an outer row of petals, corresponding to the bracts of Telopea, and is figured in Bot. 
Mag. t. 1654, under Aiton's name of " Warrata'h Camellia." 
Aboriginal Names. The aboriginal name of the Waratah is " Mewah," 
according to the Honourable George Thornton (Notes on the Aborigines of 'New South 
Wales, p. 6. Chicago Exhibition publications, 1893). 
Waratah is probably an aboriginal name, but its origin does: not appear to be 
clear at the present time. 
* 
Synonyms. Embothrium speciosissimum Sm., Specimen Bot. Nov. Holl. i, 19, 
t. 7 ; Bot. Mag. t. 1128. The bracts are depicted loose in this figure ; they are compact 
and encircle the flowers in a good specimen. E. spathulatum Cavanilles, Icones iv, 60, 
t. 388 ; this is a drawing of a twig in fruit (empty follicles) ; Cavanilles had not seen 
the flowers. E. speciosum Salisb. Parad. Lond. t. 111. Hylogyne speciosa Knight, 
Prat. 126. 
Flower. The colour of the flower is crimson and strikingly handsome. It is 
a solid flower of great permanence, and it has, in an informal way, come to be looked 
upon as the national flower of New South Wales. It lends itself in a remarkable degree 
to decorative treatment, and hence is frequently depicted literally, or as a motif, in 
wrought-iron, wood, and stone carving, stained-glass, and pottery decoration. 
