in our progress through the whole collection we are forced almost casually to choose from so many objects of interest; but it is hoped that the mention only of these may awake an interest which investigation will increase. At the back of the Border just mentioned, is arranged a large collection of exotic plants in pots, amongst which will be found the Gamboge tree, and the Bread Fruit tree, from the South Sea Islands. Also the Strychnine plant (_Strychnos Nux vomica_), the nuts of which contain the deadly poison of that name. At the corner of the succeeding Border, No. 8, next the garden, is one of the most valuable and rare specimens in the kingdom, of the beautiful _Araucaria Cookii_ from New Caledonia. The soft and luxuriant foliage of this tree, and the surpassing beauty of its form, every branch, with its rich pendulous load falling most symmetrically in a regular gradation of graceful positions, constitute it one of the most beautiful of its kind in the whole vegetable kingdom. Numerous specimens of Palms and of the beautiful flowering plants and shrubs of the Tropics adorn this division. A splendid example of the Gum Dragon tree of Teneriffe (_Dracæna Draco_), the same kind as the famous tree of Oratova; also a New Holland Palm (_Seaforthia robusta_), are found here. Here also is the Traveller’s tree from Madagascar, the grateful shade it affords having gained it its name. The Palm bearing the highest position in this bed is the _Sabal Blackburnianum_, the leaves of which are amongst the largest of their kind. Against the column at the south-west corner of the bed, in the Nave, hangs the curious Elk’s Horn Fern (_Platycerum grande_), from Australia. This parasite abounds on the rocks and the bark of the large trees in the forests of Moreton Bay. Before quitting the Tropical Department we will now continue our inspection of the Borders on the east side of the Nave. It is unnecessary to particularise the plants in these Borders, as they have been purposely arranged in as much uniformity as possible with the corresponding collection on the other side. Opposite the Byzantine Court may however be noticed four funereal Cypresses from the Vale of Tombs, in North China, and in Border No. 4 a graceful plant of the Fig tribe (_Ficus Pumila_) from China, and the handsome New Zealand Laurel (_Carynocarpus lævigatus_). On the northern side of the South Transept, in Border No. 6, is the Nepaul Berbery (_Berberis Nepaulensis_). This specimen is remarkable for its height and beauty of foliage. It is a newly introduced species. At the back of this tree will also be found a fine example of the New Zealand Flax (_Phormium tenax_). In Border No. 6, at the end of the Transept, is the Brazilian Pine (_Araucaria Braziliensis_). A remarkable specimen of the Australian Fig tree (_Ficus macrophylla_), is in Border No. 2.