The Borders, which range along each side of the Nave fronting the façades of the various Courts, are all numbered, as will be seen by a reference to the [plan]. The South and North Transepts are filled with trees and flowers. The divisions of the Natural History Illustrations are also filled with examples to represent, as much as possible, the flora of the various countries. We propose to accompany the visitor from Border No. 1, close to the Screen of Kings and Queens, and following the arrangement of the Borders up this, the South-Western side of the Palace, to return on the opposite or garden side.
In Border No. 1, we first notice an example of one of the finest and largest timber trees of New Zealand, the native name of which is the Kakaterre (Dacrydium taxifolium). This is a tree of giant growth. Just beyond the statue of Chatham are two specimens of the Melaleuca, some of the species of which furnish the Australian aborigines with a kind of tea; this beautiful species of tree is almost exclusively peculiar to Australia, and contributes much to form the character of Australian vegetation. Against the Column, and adjacent in this Border, are also several fine plants, some of which are 30 feet high, of the Australian Acacia (Acacia foliosa). The early foliage of this tree, it is interesting to observe, is characterised by a larger development than it assumes with more advanced growth; these differences can easily be distinguished in the plants before us, which may be identified by their light-coloured and elegant leaves. Another large Acacia (Melanoxylon) is near the angle of the South Transept, and on the left of it perhaps one of the finest specimens of the Rhododendron arboreum from Nepaul. This magnificent tree was one of the first of this species sent out after its introduction into this country, and when only five inches high was purchased for five guineas. It bears rich scarlet flowers.
Turning now into the South Transept, one of the first specimens we notice, in Border No. 3, is a noble tree of the Camellia reticulata, perhaps the finest kind ever introduced of this magnificent flower; it is indigenous to China and Japan. Beyond this, as we pass from left to right down the Transept, is a tree of the New Zealand Spruce (Dacrydium cupressimum), whose delicate form and drooping foliage claim admiration; and almost behind this is a most interesting specimen of the Paraguay Tea Tree (Ilex Paraguayensis). The Maté, a curious Brazilian tea, is obtained from the prepared leaves of this plant. Immediately succeeding this in our course is the Camphor-tree (Cinnamomum camphora), from which the valuable drug of commerce is procured. This specimen is from China, but it also grows in Japan. Passing on a few steps, we find the Ceratonia Siliqua. This plant is eminently curious, as being that which bears the “locusts” on which it is presumed St. John fed, as mentioned in the Gospel; it has thus obtained the name of “St. John’s Bread.” The last great tree in this border is a magnificent Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria excelsa), 40 feet high. This stately and beautiful tree grows in its own country to the height of 200 feet. On the other side of the Transept, in Border No. 5, which we now proceed to inspect, will be found a corresponding specimen, and many of the same kinds of plants as those we have just examined; but we may notice here, almost in the centre, a noble specimen of a beautiful new Fuchsia, called Dominiana; behind which may be seen the largest tree in this country of that species of Camellia known as “Lady Hume’s Blush.” In the centre of the Transept is placed a gigantic specimen of the American Aloe, which, for its magnificence of growth, is perhaps unequalled in this country. This specimen was brought in 1828, a small plant, from the ruins of the palace of the Cæsars at Rome, where it grew wild.
We now resume our tour up the Nave with Border No. 7. At this corner stands a most elegant and beautiful tree, the Acacia dealbata, a native of New Holand. This tree is perhaps the finest of its kind to be found in the kingdom. In the centre of this border rises a rare specimen of the Yucca stricta; its beautifully variegated and lance-shaped leaves constitute it a prominent object easy of recognition. Close to the column, a little further on, is the Aralia trifoliata, from New Zealand; a plant which possesses the peculiarity of shortening its curiously-formed leaf as its age advances.
Surrounding the Pompeian Court at the back of these borders, are specimens of the Azalea. On either side of the entrance to this Court are luxuriant Orange-trees, and near to them some Citron-trees.
In Border 7 a, at which we have now arrived, is a beautiful tree, called the Araucaria Bidwillii, the rigid foliage of which much resembles the imbricated Pine of Chili. The aborigines of Australia make a favourite article of food of the seeds from the large cones of this tree, which attain the size of a child’s head. But one of the most prominent of the trees in this compartment stands a little nearer the column. This is the Bottle-Brush plant of Australia, and when in bloom with its red bosses of flowers, from which it has been named, it bears a very curious appearance. The Japan Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) is also here. This tree was brought from China by Mr. Fortune. The Borders opposite the Sheffield Court are filled with many rare and beautiful specimens; but those Borders which are close to the glass façade contain some plants of the highest curiosity and beauty. In the centre of the left-hand Border will be found the Socotrine Aloe, from which is procured the medicine which bears its name. On either side of the entrance to the Court are two magnificent specimens of the Tree Ferns of Tasmania and Australia, whose luxuriant crowns make them objects of the highest beauty. These plants are without doubt the finest specimens of this luxuriant Fern in this country. At either extremity of the Borders are most interesting specimens of Bromeliaceous plants, with which, till lately, the pine-apple was classed. The Fuchsias here are upwards of 40 feet high.
Returning now to the Nave, we find in Border No. 9 a, a beautiful silver-leaved Acacia, grouped with other plants of the greatest interest, amongst which may be pointed out a New Zealand Palm (Areca sapida), and an Agnostis sinuatis, recognisable by its peculiar leaf. At the end of this Border will also be found the Botany Bay Fig-tree, and the Olea Europea, from which the olive-oil of Commerce is procured. The succeeding Borders Nos. 11 and 11 a, opposite the Birmingham Court, contain selections of most valuable and interesting plants, similar in many respects to those we have described; amongst them may be noticed the Freycinetia Baueriani from Norfolk Island. Close to the entrance of the Birmingham Court, in Border 11 b, is the new and beautiful Mitraria Coccinea from South America.
We now arrive at Border No. 13, opposite the Stationery Court, the largest and most prominent tree in which is the Eucalyptus globulosus, or Blue Gum-tree of Australia. This plant has already attained the height of 80 feet, and is but five years’ growth. In its natural state this is a Mammoth tree. Mr. Backhouse, the traveller, has described one of this kind, which was nearly as high as the great Water Towers at the Crystal Palace, being 250 feet, with a circumference at the base of 70 feet. But this was most probably an exceptional specimen. They are most frequently not more than half that size. The common Myrtle is the type of the class to which this tree belongs; but it is the largest of the myrtaceous plants. The Eucalypti constitute four-fifths of the forests of New Holland. Gum is procured from this tree in large quantities.
Round the column, in the corner of Border No. 13 a, is a fine plant of the Cape Gooseberry, which bears a beautifully acid fruit, much esteemed by some. The fruit is curiously inclosed in an inflated capsule. Although called the Cape Gooseberry, this plant is originally from Australia. In this Border are various specimens of New Zealand and Australian plants. The remaining Border, before we enter the Central Transept, is filled mostly with a collection of large Acacia. Having crossed the Central Transept, as we proceed toward Border No. 19, which is in front of the Egyptian Court, we pass Border No. 17, which is filled with Eucalypti, as that in a corresponding position on the other side of the Transept is with Acaciæ.
In Borders Nos. 19 and 19 a, will be found large specimens of the Sparmannia Africana, an old conservatory favourite, indigenous to the Cape. It was named in honour of Dr. Sparman, the Swedish physician and botanist, who accompanied Captain Cook in his second voyage round the world. These fine trees were presented by Her Majesty the Queen. Close to the Sparmannia is a large India-Rubber-tree, the sap of which constitutes the article now so extensively known and used. It will easily be recognised by its broad, handsome, and glossy leaves. This tree belongs to the Fig tribe, all kinds of which bear sap with more or less the same properties. A plant close to this is the Loquat, or Japan Medlar, which is curious from its peculiarity of shedding its bark. A little nearer to the Court will be found a most elegant plant of the Grass tribe, the Himalayan Bamboo, a small and delicate cane, which is found high up the Himalayas, and consequently flourishes in a lower degree of temperature than the common tropical Bamboo. The remaining examples to be noticed in these Borders are amongst the most curious in the collection. The first is the Rhipidodendron plicatile, so named from the fan-like growth of the leaves. The common lily is the type of the order to which this plant belongs. The next are the curious African plants, like rough blocks of wood, which are called “Elephant’s Foot.” These remarkable plants are calculated as being 3000 years old: they were imported from the Cape of Good Hope. The Casuarina stricta, of Australia, is also here, with its curiously jointed foliage. The wood of this plant, from its peculiar conformation and colour, has gained for the tree the name of Beef-wood. In its native state it attains a great size. Several kinds of the temperate Palms, Ferns, and Aloes are also arranged in this position.