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350
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large iish-leavcd fern, was growing, along with Crinum pedunculatum, a great bulbous-
rooted plant, with white tubulai- lily-like flowers. Ilellcnia cærùlca, a rccdy-looking
plant, with broad leaves and blue berries, and a species of Phytolácca, with pretty pink
blossoms, were among the brushwood. By the sides of fresh-watcr ditches there were a
Jussiciia, resembling an evening primrose, with small yellow blossoms, and a blue-
flowercd plant, in figure like a Fentstcmon. On the grassy slope of the hills, near the
river, JïiMscus Ifrasér/, with yellow blossoms, like those of the hollyhock, but having a
deep purple eye, was in flower. Among the mangroves, the mosquitoes were so numerous
that we could not proceed many yards for them, notwithstanding we wiped them
continually off our hands and faces. Several striking biitteidlies were fluttering from
flower to flower ; some of them having considerable portions of their wings transparent.”
(Ibid., p. 360.) In a forest called the TIu-ee-mile Scrub, Iilr. Backliousc tells us, the
forest trees far exceed a hundred feet in height, and a few may be a hundred and fifty
feet. “ Among the lofty ones may be enumerated some of the Eucalypti, called iron
bark, forest mahogany, &c., and tMee species of fig with leaves rescmbiiiig those of the
common laurel or the evcrgi-een magnolia. One of these, Ficus macropludla, was foi-ty
feet iu circumference about six feet from the ground, and its roots formed wall-likc
abutments extending from the tree over an area thirty feet across. These fig trees are
very remarkable in their growth : they often spring from seeds deposited by birds in the
cavities of other trees, at elevations of perhaps fifty feet or more. From these situations
they send roots down to the ground, which in their coui-se adliere to the tree ; these
again emit transverse or diagonal roots that have fixed themselves to others in their
course downward. Those that reach the ground thicken rapidly, still spreading themselves
upon the face of the foster tree, which at length is completely encased. These
gigantic pai-asites rear their towering heads above all the other trees of the forest, sending
out vast limbs, and spreading thcir own roots in the eaith, from which also they
sometimes grow without the aid of other trees to sustain them. The trunks and leaves
of these and other trees support several species of fern, and some epiphytes of the
orchis tribe, with fleshy leaves and singular stems and flowers. Numerous climbing
plants, with stems varying in thickness, from that of a packthread to that of a man’s
body, ascend into their tops, and send down their branches in graceful festoons.
Among the slenderer climbers were two species of passion-flower, and one of jasmine.
The most gigantic climber, whicli might properly be called a climbing tree, belongs to
the Apocÿneæ. It has a rugged bark, and sometimes forms a few serpent-like wi-cathes
on tlie groimd, before ascending and spreading itself among the tops of the other trees.
There were also two or three species of Cissus, one with simple, and the others with
trifoliate leaves, like vines, and bearing fimit like grapes, about equal in size to English
sloes, but sweeter. The fruit of the figs is rather dry, but it is eaten by the native
blacks, and by numerous birds. The Moreton Bay chestnut (Castanospernmra austràle)
is a fine tree, with a profusion of flame-coloured blossoms, and leaves like those of the
European walnut : some of its pods ai-e ten inches long and eight inches round ; they
contain several seeds, in size and colour resembling horse-chestnuts, but in flavour between
a Spanish chestnut and a fresh-ripened bean, with a slight degree of bitterness.
The natives roast these seeds, and soak them in water, to prepare them for food. One of
the ferns that grow on trees (Acróstichum gránde) is here as large as a full-grown
Scotch cabbage, and is remarkably beautiful. In the margins of the woods, and on the
banks of the rivers, the climbers are numerous and very beautiful. Among them are
Técoma yasminoides, a large white trumpet flower, with a rosy pink tube, and Ipomce'a
péndula, with elegant pink flowers. In the gi'ass of the open ground is a remarkable
climbing nettle, and in the forests the giant nettle (Urtica gigas) forms a large tree.
On the basaltic soils, the Moreton Bay pine (Araucaria Cunningham/) is found, and in
some places, farther in the interior, it forms large woods.” (Ibid., p. 363.)
938. Southern Australia, including Fort Philip and King George’s Sound. “ Port
Pliilip,” observes Mr. Backhouse, “ may be called a small inland sea ; the land is not
visible across it except when elevated.” (Ibid., p. 497.) Below Aithur’s Seat there is
a considerable range of hills, on the east side of Port Philip, which arc gi'assy, with trees
thinly scattered upon them. These ai-e chiefly the spherical-headed Casuarina quadri-
v<álvis, which, though common in Van Diemen’s Land, is rarely seen in New South
Wales. Sevcrai species of Loranthus arc growing on the trees here. One of the plants
which yield food to the natives here, is Podolepis acuminata, which. Mi-. Backhouse tells
us, “ is about a foot high, and has flowers in some degree resembling the sweet sultan,
but of a deeper yellow ; it abounds in rich soils, especially about the margins of salt
marshes, and has a thickened root, compared by some to a potato. Another resembles
a dandelion, but it has very narrow leaves, and a nodding bud : its roots resemble
scorzonera.” (Ibid., p. 505.) Near Port Adelaide, “ the way was over two level
plains, separated by a slight sandy rise, covered with wood. The soil of the plains was
a reddish loam, having a slight admixture of sand ancl calcareous matter. Tliey were
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covered with tufted grass and small herbs. Among the latter were a species of F ry n -
gium, a foot high, the leaves of which are eaten with avidity by cattle, aud some small
yellow-flowered everlastings. Near the sea, the land becomes saline, and produces
crimson mcsembiyanthemums, and numerous maritime shrabs. On a sand-bank
separating the plain from the salt marsh, which borders the creek or inlet that forms the
harbour, there arc trees of a species of Callitris, resembling the cypress. These are here
called pines, and have trunks about forty feet high, wliich are used for piles.” (Ibid
p. 510.) The salt marsh was covered by Salicornia and Frankcnfo. .At King George’s
bound, the principal plants arc King/a australis, Sollya hcterophylla, Antliocercis vis-
cida, and Cephalotus follicularis, the latter having pitclier-likc vessels among the leaves.
939. Van Diemen’s Land. All the European vegetables and fruits thrive as well in
this colony as in Britain ; but it is said that neither the flavour of the fi-uits nor the per-
fume of the flowers is so fine. I t is also said that the sting of the bee has less venom,
ih c general appearance of the country bears considerable resemblance to that around
byclney, but it is characterised by a greater abundance of the beautiful mountain grass
tree (Xanthorrhce'a). The country residence of Dr. James Ross, the editor of the
Hobart Town Comer aud th.Q Hobart Town Almanack, h thus described by himself:
The situation is a fine sloping valley, commanding heavenly views o fth e Derwent*
Hobart Town, and the hai-bour and sliipping. One part of the gi-ound is so steep,
that 100 wooden steps are requisite to facilitate tlie ascent. Here no deciduous
tree, covering the sward -with its autumnal i-uins, reminds us of the decay of all things.
My arbours of ‘ cool recess ’ and serpentine walks, formed out of the native shrubbery,
arc clothed in perpetual gi-een, which borrows vernal freshness from a copious spring
gushing forth at the highest point, and visiting in its descent every plant and flower.”
940. Norfolk Island. This island was formerly covered with orange tre e s ; but the
commandant in 1827, Colonel Momson, believing that the fruit furnished means of sustenance
to the mnaway convicts, caused them to be destroyed, and with a very few exceptions,
which have since perished, they were all removed; and although eveiy means
has been taken to re-establish them, it has been without success; and in 1844 there was
but one tree on the island, and that was in an unhealthy state. There is no fear of the
pines (Araucaria excelsa) being exhausted. The island is very nearly covered with
them, their outline having at a distance the appearance of cathedral ruins, &c., according
as the light and shade may fall upon them. (S ir Everard Home, in the Bot. Maq
/o r l8 4 7 , p. 29.) ^
941. New^ Zealand. I t is an interesting fact relating to New Zealand, that all the
common fmits of England, as well as thoso of tropical climates, thrive as well there as
ill this countiy, though the thermometer from the end of December to the middle of
February usually stands at from 75° to 80°. The soil is a black vegetable mould,
frequently from four to six feet deep, with a subsoil of yellow c la y ; and the general
appearance of the countiy is represented as park-like— “ rich valleys with gentle slopes
and woody knolls, dai-k groves of pines, apparently sloped by art, rivers and mountain
streams.” In one place there is a rich valley extending for forty miles inland, clear of
trees, and covered with the finest grass. (Gardeners’ Chronicle fo r 1843, p. 605.) The
aspect of the vegetation is, however, gloomy, as the foliage of the trees is generally of
a dark pui-plc tinge, and there are very few flowers. The tree-ferns arc the most conspicuous
objects in the woods. A t Port Nicholson, New Zealand, “ kidneybeans and
scarlet-runners ai-e not good till the second y e a r; and even broad or Windsor beans
produce their best crop in the second year. Scarlet kidc [? red cabbage] is never good,
for want of frost to sweeten i t : it is bitter.” (S ir Everard Home, in the Bot. Mag. fo r
1847, p. 29.) The Wellington Horticultural Society was formed at Port Nicholson
before that settlement was rivo years old,- and it has been very prosperous, having been supplied
with plants from the botanic garden at Sydney, and from Messrs. Loddiges. New
Zealand is admirably adapted for a horticultural or a botanical garden, as plants of all
climates flourish in it even better than they do at Sydney, as they are not in the same
danger of suffering fi-om di-ought. Another horticultural society, w ith a garden annexed,
was formed at Nelson before tho calamities that befel that settlement in 1843. At New
Plymouth, Taranaki, a horticultural society was established on the 1st of December,
1842, and between forty and fifty members enrolled their names, though the first body
of settlers only landed there in March, 1841. Considering the many cares and difficulties
attending a new settlement, this speaks volumes in favour of the taste existing in New
Zealand for horticultm-al pursuits.
942. Nurseries in New Zealand. The first nursery in the colony appears to liavc
been established early in 1844 by Mr. William Trotter, formerly gardener to J . T.
Brook, Esq., of Flitwick House. Mr. Trotter went out to New Zealand with his wife
and a family of two sons and two daughters in May 1843 ; and, in a letter dated May,
1844, he says, “ I have taken a few- acres in the valley of the Hutt, where I intend to
establish a fruit-gardcn and nursery : it is one of sweetest spots that ever was beheld hy
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