INTRODUCTION 
The principal feeling which has inspired the publication of 
this work is a desire to arouse increased enthusiasm in regard 
to the Australian Flora, which, be it said, is the most varied, 
wonderful, and beautiful in the Vegetable Kingdom. 
The grandeur of the trees, and the exquisite beauty of the 
shrubs that are to be met with in all States of the Common¬ 
wealth, the splendour of their blossoms, the variety of form 
and greenness of their foliage, and their hardy nature, as a rule, 
—rendering them capable of adapting themselves to various 
climates—all these are generally admitted. 
A glance at the collections of Australian plants which may 
be seen growing in the Public Gardens of each State, will reveal 
the fact that, when properly attended to, trees, shrubs, climbers 
or whatever they may be, brought together from nearly all 
parts of the continent, flourish to perfection. 
Our Eucalypts, Acacias, Eugenias, Banksias, Hakeas, 
Grevilleas, Flindersias, Sterculias, Callistemons, Melaleucas, 
Cupanias, Angophoras, and hundreds of other brilliant ever¬ 
green and gorgeous flowered trees and shrubs, that are readily 
procurable and easily grown, are far too often neglected, in the 
decoration of parks and gardens, in favour of exotic vegetation, 
which, in the majority of cases, is less hardy, and not nearly as 
picturesque. 
Some of the larger parks in or adjacent to our cities should 
be devoted solely to the cultivation and display of Australian 
vegetation, which, if arranged with taste and judgment, would 
render such places instructive as well as characteristic and 
beautiful. 
It will be observed that a great many of the species 
enumerated in this work are spread over several States; indeed, 
in a number of instances they are common to all; also some are 
indigenous to other countries besides Australia. All, as far 
as possible, are botanically and vernacularly named. The 
