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A BOTANICAL TOUR AMONG THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDS. 135
had been grown on the farm. The average yield there per acre is said to be
three tons, and there are two crops in the year. A rice-field requires to be in
a very moist situation; and although at the "Model Farm" they have gone
to some labour in bringing the water in sufficient quantity upon the ricefields,
yet I noticed (even in my one day's walk) many places suitable for its success-
ful culture without entailing much trouble or expense. Sugar and coffee too
should, I think, be worth attention in Isew Caledonia, especially as the best of
land can be had at so cheap a rate from the Grovernment. Convict labour also
would be a matter of great moment to some. I paid a visit to the Botanical
Gardens, which, considering the age of the settlement, are very creditable indeed.
They are situated upon the side of a hill that overlooks the town, and
command an excellent view of the harbour. Along the side, facing one of the
principal streets, is a row of well-grown specimens of the beautiful " Gold
Moh " of India and Madagascar Poinciana Eegei—which, when in flower,
must indeed be a magnificent sight.
On either side of the principal walks leading up to the governor's house,
which can be seen from the gate, are some Orange-trees that appeared to be
very unhealthy. At nearly every corner, where walks cross each other at right
angles, the Acalypha tricolor, with its large fiery crimson, brown and green,
striped or spotted leaves, lent a brightness to other beautiful foliage with which
it was backed up, and appeared more beautiful than I had seen it in the Fijis,
its native place. Facing the house a row of "Dracsena ferrea rosea," planted
alternately with some beautifully variegated Crotons and Pomsettia, pid-
cherrima (tlien in flower), was also a gorgeous sight. The garden extends over
some eiglit or ten acres, aud may soon be enlarged. It, however, deserves
honourable mention among the botanical gardens this side of the Equator.
Among the plants that claimed my more especial notice during my huri-ied
walk through were some native Cassias and Acacias, several small but wellgrown
specimens of the recently discovered Araucarias, a Melochia, and a
Limonia, also indigenous. Vanilla aromatica seemed to be in its glory grow-
ing along a rustic bridge, near to which grew a fine specimen of Guettarda speciosa,
which I had met with in many of the other islands. Pavettia Indica and
Eugenia horizontalis, two pretty shrubs, were worthy of admiration, while some
plants in flower of Poinciana fulcherrima were cliai'ming. ParJcinsonia
aculeata and Stachytarpheta Fischeriana, and a small specimen of Lafania,
formed a background for some Crinums beautifully flowered. A strange-look-
ing Sanseviera and a Tradescantia claimed a glance, and some fine specimens
of Anona muricata and squamosa, Lvxuma, Mangifera Indica (Mango), Zizy-
phtis, and other fruit-bearing trees, formed a group of great interest. Coffea
Arabica, with its pretty berries, caught the eye instantly along a back walk, as
a background for which specimens of Ficus prolifera, Acacia Farnesiaiia,
and lavrifolia occurred. Abelmoschus sabdalifera, GlocTiidion, Agati grandi-
flora alba, Guilandina, Bombax, Cinn'amomum, Yitex, and many other plants
of st!ll greater interest, no doubt, might have been seen, but time was precious,
and a few hours afterwards we left Port de France for Port Jackson, which we
readied in eight days :
thus terminating to me a salubrious and most interest-