THE DOMAIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4747, 18 July 1883, Page 4

THE DOMAIN.

Several valuable contributions have recently been made to the Government Gardens. Amongst these may be mentioned a colleotion of plants from Mr Abbott, nurseryman, of Papanui road ; some new and rare plants sent by Mr Dutton, floriet, of Springfield road ; Messrs Nairn and ffon have forwarded a miecellaceous collection ; and Mr Line, of Lincoln road, a large variety of roses. The con'ributions have not, however, beon confined to Christchurch donors. Mr Thompson, of the Dunedin High Srshocl, has sent some rare speoimens of Celmisia ; but perhaps tbe moat interesting acquisition is comprised in the collection of seeds of native plants obtained from the Chatham and Auckland Islands, received from Mr Waugh, Curator of the Invercargill Government Gardenß. The seeds from the Auokland Isles were oolleoted by the captain of a vessol that visited the locality. Amongst them are seeds of the beautiful Auckland Island Aralia, a plant with large hairy leaves, bearing large heads of small waxy flowers which givo placo to handsome clusters of shiny bhek berries, theßO being the peculiarly boautiful characteristic) of the plant ; the Fleurophyllum, found only in the Auckland Islands, bearing large purple aßter like flowers, and having a fine foliage, tbe leaves being remarkable for their peculiar ribs ; and tho Ligustioum Antipodum, another fine plant, resembling in appearance the larger kinds of fennr.l, and having an aromatio leaf and beautiful pink flowers. All theso three plants are indigenous to that rarely visited place, the Auckland Islands, and while some of their seeds will be raised in the gardens, others will bo sent to Melbourne, England, Germany, Natal, India, and other placeß in exohange for various specimens that will be useful and valuable additions to tho present collection in tho Domain gardens.