The New Zealand species of _Dracæna_, (or Tee of the natives of that country,) grows and flowers well not only in these gardens, but is frequently seen planted in front of the dwelling houses in and about Sydney; as also that lofty species of _Araucaria_, (A. excelsa,) commonly known by the name of Norfolk Island pine.[126] The Indian bamboo also grows very luxuriantly in the gardens, and in that part of the domain near the government house. The _Callistachys ovata_, from King George’s Sound, was also in flower; it is an elegant shrub, having a silvery pubescence over the leaves, and bears handsome clusters of yellow flowers. The _Hibiscus splendens_, from Moreton Bay, was also in full bloom; its large and elegant pink flowers being full five inches in diameter. Numerous species of _Eucalypti_, _Banksia_, &c. from the interior of the colony, as also from Moreton Bay, and other portions of the Australian coast, were in a thriving state; and a species of _Dracæna_, bearing purple flowers, and brought from Moreton Bay, was in blossom. About Sydney, however, in January, the beauty of the floral kingdom had in some degree passed away: _Melaleuca myrtifolia_, _Leptospermum_, _Xanthorrea hastile_, and other species; _Calicoma serratifolia_; _Gompholobium_; _Lambertia formosa_; _Isopogon anethifolius_; _Enokelia major and minor_; _Billardieria scandens_; and a few others still remaining, covered with blossoms, to animate the scene with their varied tints and brilliancy of appearance. The shrubs of the _Staphelia viridiflora_ were now in fruit; which, when ripe, is of a purplish black colour, having a sweetish taste, and is gathered and sold in the shops under the popular name of “_five corners_:” this name, no doubt, was applied to it on account of the _calyx_ projecting in five points above the fruit. The gardens are laid out in very neat order, and Mr. Richard Cunningham having arrived from England with an appointment as colonial botanist, it may be hoped from his known talent and assiduity that the colony will soon have a “_Botanic Garden_,” in lieu of a repository for turnips and carrots.