■ VaOfa iiiPllMiill 
 

 A 
 
 
 i: 
 
 4- -f . 
 
CONTRIBUTION 
 
 TO 
 
 THE FLORA OF AUSTRALIA 
 
 BY 
 
 WILLIAM WOOLLS, FL.S., 
 
 AUTHOR OP "MISCELLANIES IN PEOSE AND VEESE," "A SHOBT ACCOUNT OP 
 
 THE CHAEACTEB AND LABOUES OF THE EET. SAMUEL MABSDEN," 
 
 ETC.. ETC. 
 
 Consider the Lilies of the Field, how they grow. 
 
 ♦ 
 
 SYDNEY : F. WHITE, WILLIAM STREET ; 
 
 PARRAMATTA : J. FERGUSON, CHURCH STREET ; 
 
 MELBOURNE ; G, ROBERTSON, 69, ELIZABETH STREET. 
 
 im^ 
 
 r^ n m 
 
SYDNEY : 
 r. WHITI^ MACHINE PEINTER, WILLIAM STEEET. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Dedication 
 
 T. 
 
 Preface 
 
 ■vii. 
 
 Botany OF THE PARR.vMATTi. District 
 
 1 
 
 Australian Orchids 
 
 12 
 
 Dodder ON LrcERNE 
 
 20 
 
 Substitute FOR Cotton 
 
 22 
 
 Indigenous Vegetables 
 
 24 
 
 Poisonous Honey 
 
 28 
 
 Botany of THE North Shore 
 
 34 
 
 Australian Ferns 
 
 36 
 
 (1.) GJeicheniacefc 
 
 45 
 
 (2.) Tolypod'iacecB 
 
 47 
 
 (3. ) DavaUieep... 
 
 51 
 
 (4.) TteridecB 
 
 52 
 
 (5.) Lomarieoi 
 
 5G 
 
 (6.) Aspleniece 
 
 60 
 
 {1.) ScolopendrlecB * 
 
 ... 
 
 (8.) Aspidiaeeoi ... 
 
 64 
 
 ( 0.) Polypodiea: 
 
 60 
 
 (10.) Grammitidece 
 
 74 
 
 (11.) AorostichecB 
 
 77 
 
 (12.) ScJiizceacecB ... 
 
 78 
 
 (13.) OnmuYulacecR 
 
 80 
 
 (11.) I>ancpace(t 
 
 81 
 
 (15) OpMoglosxacecc ... 
 
 82 
 
 Systematic list of species 
 
 86 
 
 Lycopodiace^ ... 
 
 88 
 
 * Not r> presented in Australia. 
 
 
IV 
 
 "Woods or Paeeamatta Disteict 
 
 Medicinal Plants 
 
 Botany of Bebeima and Mittaqong 
 
 De. F. MUELLEE'S LiTHOGEAMS 
 
 Plants EEOM the Dawson 
 
 Plants inteoduced accidentally 
 
 Alg^e oE Sea- WEEDS 
 
 Lichens 
 
 kueeajong and tomah 
 
 Cultivation of Wheat 
 
 Botany OF Ash Island 
 
 Plants on the D aeling 
 
 Oenamental Shetjbs 
 
 The G-enus 'Eucalyptus 
 
 Aeeangement OF New SorTii Wales species 
 Notes on Feens, etc., etc 
 
 „ Plants at the Ktjeeajong 
 
 „ ProteacecB, etc., etc 
 
 „ JEpacridacecB 
 
 „ Natre Vineyaed 
 
 ,, Eucalyptus 
 
 PAOB 
 
 89 
 
 94 
 101 
 118 
 128 
 136 
 152 
 163 
 173 
 181 
 184 
 192 
 202 
 212 
 223 
 247 
 24« 
 249 
 251 
 253 
 254 
 
To 
 FEEDINAND MUELLEE, Ph.D., M.D., E.K.S., &c., &c., &c. 
 
 G-OVEENMENT BOTANIST FOR THE COLONY OF VICTORIA. 
 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 In presenting to the public my humble contribution to the Flora 
 of Australia, I feel deeply indebted to your kind consideration for permitting 
 me to dedicate the Tolume to you ; and more especially do I appreciate the 
 association of your name with my occasional papers, inasmuch as most of 
 them have been pcrxised by you, and received your favourable notice. But 
 independently of the friendly sentiments you have manifested tovv-ards me, 
 and the invaluable assistance T have received from your correspondence for 
 the last eleven years, there are other considerations which induce mc to bring 
 your name prominently forward on the present occasion. 
 
 Since the days of the illustrious Robert Browx, no botanist has devoted 
 himself more assiduously to the elucidation of Australian Botany than 
 •yourself, and certainly none has more richly merited the title " Prince of 
 Australian Botanists," bestowed upon you by the eminent author of 
 Species Filicum. 
 
 When I contemplate the extensive information, profound research, and 
 philosophical discrimination, displayed in the volmninous works published 
 by you, by which you have gained ati imperishable reputation, and contributed 
 materially to the advancement of science throughout the civilized world, I 
 may well feel honoured by the friendship of such a man as yourself, and pray 
 that you may long continue to adorn these colonies. 
 
Should it please Divine Proridence to spare a life deroted to the calm and 
 unobtrusive pursuits of science and the development of the vegetable produc- 
 tions of this vast continent, you -will render incalculable service, not merely to 
 Victoria, but to the whole of the Australian colonies, and future generations 
 will contemplate with wonder the indefatigable labour and untiring zeal of 
 one so highly favoured. If, however, like a distinguished historian who was 
 struck down in the midst of his literary labours, your sun should set, ere the 
 great works designed by you shall have been fully accomplished, it may truly 
 be said of you as it was of a renowned general of antiquity : ** Et ipse quidem 
 quamquam medio in sjpaiio integroe celaiis ereptus, quanUim ad gloriam, Jongis- 
 simum cevum peregit." 
 
 I am, my dear Sir, 
 
 Your faithful and obhged friend, 
 
 William Woolls, 
 Parramatta, 
 
 December 1867. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 THE present volume is composed of papers on occasional sub- 
 jects, connected with the Botany of Australia, and designed 
 to lay before the public in a popular form some particulars re- 
 specting the Vegetable Kingdom of that vast continent. The 
 information thus conveyed is partly the result of personal obser- 
 vation in the colony of New South "Wales, and partly a careful 
 review and selection of such facts as have appeared from time to 
 time in works not always accessible to the general reader. For 
 my article on Ferns, I am deeply indebted to the five volumes of 
 the late Sir William Hooker's " Species Filicum,'' and to the fifth 
 volume of Dr. F. Mueller's " Fragmenta Fhytographice AustralicBy 
 Whilst endeavouring to place on record any matters of interest 
 relative to Australian Ferns, which I have noticed in my rambles, 
 I have enumerated all the species mentioned by those eminent 
 writers, and arranged the various genera according to the system 
 indicated in the Species Filicum. Being aware that Sir William's 
 great work has had a very limited circulation in the colony, and 
 that Dr. F. Mueller's review of Australian Ferns was composed 
 in Latin and intended for the learned in all parts of the world, I 
 was impressed with the idea that a popular article on our ferns 
 might be acceptable to many persons in these colonies. My im- 
 pressions were not without foundation, for after my papers on the 
 subject had appeared in the Sydney Moiminy Herald, I was re- 
 quested to publish them over again with sundry alterations and 
 additions in the Horticultural Magazine. To these papers, I have 
 now added a systematic list of our Australian Ferns, which I trust 
 will assist collectors in arranging their specimens according to an 
 approved method of classification, and will induce many pterido- 
 philists in diff'erent parts of Australia to add to the number of 
 
VUl 
 
 species already known and described. In the paper on Orchids, 
 I have given the result of my own observations in the neighbour- 
 hood of Parramatta, as well as the more elaborate review of the 
 order by Dr. P. Mueller, who by his own exertions in the field, 
 and by his descriptions of specimens forwarded to him from 
 different parts of Australia, has added many species to those 
 previously described by the illustrious author of the Prodromus 
 Morce Novce-Hollandice. As I have been incessantly occupied 
 for many years past in arduous duties limited to the district of 
 Parramatta, I have enjoyed but few opportunities of proceeding 
 far into the interior, and, therefore, most of my papers are con- 
 fined to the illustration of the Flora ei:isting in the neighbourhood 
 of the town in which I have been engaged. With the exception of 
 my personal observations on the Blue Mountains, Mittagong, and 
 Ash Island, of which I have given a brief outline, my attention 
 has been directed principally to the Flora of the Parramatta 
 District, and on different occasions, I have published more than 
 thirty letters on that subject. It was my firs^ intention, when I 
 was requested by Dr. F. Mueller, and other friends, to collect 
 my papers and publish them in a connected form, to take a 
 careful review of all those letters, and add to them such species 
 of plants as had previously escaped my notice ; but upon reflection, 
 1 found that such a work would not merely occupy more time 
 than I could spare for the purpose, but that it would lead to the 
 publication of a larger volume than I considered advisable. 
 Moved by such considerations, therefore, I have selected a 
 paper, which was read before a society in Sydney, giving an out- 
 line of the vegetable productions indigenous in the district, and 
 to that I have added special papers on " the Woods," " the 
 Medicinal Plants," and " Ornamental Shrubs" of the neighbour- 
 hood. My paper on " Introduced Plants," of which we may now 
 number more than a hundred species that have appeared acci- 
 dentally amongst us, opens for consideration topics of an interest- 
 ing and practical nature, for whilst it leads to speculations as to 
 the probable causes of such importations, it also serves to indicate 
 from the character of the plants thus introduced, the adaptation 
 of similar species to the soil and climate of the colony. With 
 respect to those papers founded upon the consideration of speci- 
 mens forwarded to me from the interior, I have availed myself of 
 
such information for their elucidation as I could glean from 
 Brown's I^rodromus, Lindley's descriptions in Mitchell's works, 
 Dr. Mueller's Fragmenta, and his other valuable publications, and 
 lastly, the three volumes of the Flora Australiensis already pub- 
 lished. I have felt some hesitation in associating the papers on 
 Sea-weeds and Lichens with the rest of those selected, because I 
 am sensible that it requires much more leisure than I could com- 
 mand, to enter satisfactorily upon the consideration of cryptogamic 
 specimens, which need not merely long continued observation, but 
 also microscopic research. For the further study of these in- 
 teresting branches of botany, I must refer my readers to Harvey's 
 PJiycologiaAitstralica,i\,ndilA\iA^2ij''^ elaborate papers, in the hope 
 that some of our youthfiil Australians may be induced to devote 
 themselves to the study of those subjects, connected with the 
 Vegetable Kingdom in Australia, which as yet have not been 
 adequately explored. The Mosses, Lichens, and Fungi, of 
 Australia, though probably the vast majority of them may be 
 cosmopolitan, have never received the attention which is necessary 
 for attaining a correct estimate of their numbers, or for determin- 
 ing what species differ materially from those of the Northern 
 Hemisphere. Some time since, I attempted to furnish a list of 
 the mosses found in the Parramatta District, and was surprised 
 to find that the species amounted to nearly fifty. In some sea- 
 sons when the weather is damp, a great many may be collected, 
 and even in the driest time, there are always some to be found 
 on the banks of the creeks, although in parts of tropical Australia 
 they do not exist at all. Pungi also are very [numerous, under 
 circumstances favourable for their development, but with the ex- 
 ception of Aseroe and Mylitta, the ordinary forms of Agaricus^ 
 Polyporus, Boletus, etc., appear similar to the European ones. 
 However, the Mosses, Lichens, and Eungi, afford a wide field for 
 investigation, and I feel sorry that my engagements have pre- 
 vented me from going so deeply into the study of them as I could 
 wish. My only motive, therefore, in inserting my papers on Sea- 
 weeds and Lichens, is the hope that the hints which I have thrown 
 out respecting those orders may be useful to any persons com- 
 mencing the study of our cryptogamic botany. The concluding 
 article on the genus Eucalyptus was drawn up at the suggestion 
 of Dr. r. Mueller, and although I am aware of its numerous im- 
 
perfections, I trust that it may be useful in assisting practical 
 men to determine the limits and characters of many species in 
 Eastern Australia, and to fix with some degree of certainty the 
 scientific names of the common Eucalypti around us. It is a 
 matter of regret to me that I am unable to illustrate my papers 
 with suitable engravings. They would undoubtedly be a great 
 ornament to the work, and afibrd to the general reader the means 
 of recognising some of the plants to which I have referred. The 
 
 Expense, however, of such illustrations is very considerable, and 
 moreover, Dr. Mueller's " Lithograms of Victorian Plants," as 
 well as the beautiful figures accompanying his Fragmenta PJiyto- 
 graphice Australi^e,'" have already made known to many of my 
 readers some of the most remarkable Australian Flowers. 
 
 W.W. 
 
 . Parramatta, 
 
 December, 1867. 
 
E E M A E K S 
 
 ox THE 
 
 BOTANY OF THE PARRAMATTA DISTRICT: 
 
 A pai)er read hcfore the Australian Horticultural and Agrlcultu^ral 
 Societij, (1859.) 
 
 T N tlie district of Parrainatta there are between seven and 
 eight hundred species of plants, more than one half of which 
 arc exogenous. The Thalamic ora? and the Monochlamydea3 are 
 nearly equal in number, being together about half as many as 
 the Calyciflora) and Corolliflor?e, whilst the Endogenous plants 
 constitute rather more than a fourth of the Flora. The Crypto- 
 gamous plants, exclusive of Fiuigi and Algse, amount in number 
 to about half of the Endogens. 
 
 (1.) The first great division of Exogens, viz, the Thalamiflorse, 
 presents to notice the representatives of twenty-five natural 
 families, and although not comprising any of the larger trees of 
 the district, it includes many shrubs which are well know^i to 
 the horticulturist. Perhaps as a family, the Mutacece aiford 
 rome of the most elegant shrubs in this division of the vegetable 
 kingdom, especially the genera Boronia, PliehaUum, and Erioste- 
 mon. Many species of Boronia and JEriostemon have been culti- 
 vated, but there are few species of PhehaHum to be met with in 
 gardens, although there are three in the district which are decid- 
 edly ornamental. Aclironychia Icevis is a larger shrub and claims 
 attention as being the nearest representative of the Aurantiacece. 
 Ox the Billeniacecdj there are several show' y species, and Hibbertia 
 
2 FLOEA OF AUSTRALIA. 
 
 dentata wMch abounds on the creeks to the north of Parramatta 
 is an elegant twining plant. The cruciferse are neither numerous 
 nor important, but Ar obis gig antea (which Dr. F. Mueller has proved 
 to be identical with Cardamine stylosd) occurs here as well as 
 in Tasmania. On the creek beyond Pye's orchard, Synoum glan- 
 dulosum is found growing amongst the rocks, and nearer to the 
 water a species of JDrimys, D. dipetala, remarkable for its pungent 
 seeds. Both of these shrubs are worthy of cultivation, and they 
 claim the notice of the observer as being the only species in the 
 district belonging to the splendid orders of Magnoliaceoe and 
 Meliacece. Of the Pittosporaceoe and Sapindaceoe, the district 
 affords ten species — three of which are well adapted for a shrub- 
 bery. Elceocmyus cyaneus, also of the Tiliacoe, is much admired 
 for its pretty white flowers and olive-like fruit, and of the three 
 species of Vitis^Vitacea?) there is one (V. hypoglaucd) that affords an 
 edible grape of an agreeable acid flavour. Of the Polygalaceoe, 
 JPolygala ja])onica has a diminutive but interesting purple flower, 
 and of the genus Comesperma, there is one little and almost leafless 
 plant, which Dr. P. Mueller has recognised as C. spJimrocarpa, re- 
 markable for its round sessile capsule. This species does not 
 appear to be well known in Europe, for although Bauer discovered 
 it at Port Jackson in 1803-5, and his specimen is yet to be seen 
 in the Vienna collection, a distinguished writer who described the 
 plant in 1846, was unable to state from what part of Australia it 
 came. The flower is of a dark blue colour and occurs in several 
 parts of the district. 
 
 (2.) The CalyciflorsD of the district have about the same number 
 of families as the Thalamiflorse, but the species are much more 
 numerous, and reckon amongst them some of the most useful and 
 important trees of the colony, as well as many beautiful shrubs. 
 The LeguminosaB, comprehending the Mimoseae and the Papi- 
 lionacea), amount to seventy species. Of the genus Acacia there 
 are nearly twenty species, some of which are esteemed for the 
 beauty and fragrance of their flowers, whilst others are valued 
 for the medicinal properties of their bark and gum. In cases of 
 dysentery, when medical aid cannot be procured, a decoction 
 prepared from the bark of A. deciirrens proves sometimes very 
 efficacious. None of the Papilionacea?, with the exception of 
 Jachsonia scoparia, assume a tree-like appearance, most of them 
 
PAEEAMATTA DISTEICT. 3 
 
 being small slirubs and herbs ; and altbough the species are nearly 
 •fifty in number, only one of them has any scent ! In the months 
 of September and October, the species of Pultencea, Dillwynia, 
 BodoloUum^ and Platylohium, enliven the banks of the creeks by 
 the brilliance of their flowers ; but their showy appearance is too 
 transient in its character to produce anything more than a tem- 
 porary effect on the landscape. This is not the case with the 
 important family of the Myrtacece, which, though not containing 
 quite so many species as that of the Leguminosae, gives a tone 
 and character to the bush on all sides ; and at certain seasons of 
 the year, not merely the banks of the creeks, but the sombre forest 
 itself is ornamented by myrtaceous blossoms. The gayest of the 
 Myrtaceae are the different species of Callistemon ; but the genera 
 JEugenia, Backliousia, Myrtus, Leptospermum, Bcechia, Kunzea, and 
 Melaleuca, present many beauties to the admirers of nature. 
 There is one species of Melaleuca (better known by the name of 
 tea-tree) which attains a height of thirty feet and upwards ; and 
 the wood, although generally despised as almost useless, seems 
 adapted for little boxes and fancy articles, as it is of a purplish 
 colour and prettily marked. Amongst the larger trees, two 
 species of Angophora, and one of Syncarpia, might be mentioned 
 as affording timber for rough buildings and firewood, but the 
 JEucalyptus far surpasses them in importance. Of this genus, 
 there are upwards of twenty well-defined species, which, under 
 the various names of iron bark, stringy bark, mahogany, wooUy- 
 but, bloodwood, spotted gum, blackbut, blue gum, and so on, afford 
 the principal material for fencing, flooring boards, scantling, and 
 slabs. Some of the species, such as iron bark, (E. resinifera), 
 mahogany (B. robusta), and blue gum (jSJ. rostrata), are exceed- 
 ingly durable, but others soon perish when much exposed to the 
 influence of the weather. The classification of the species has 
 long been a matter of difficulty with botanists, and doubt is en- 
 tertained as to the expediency of working by the operculum. 
 According to the plan hitherto adopted, they have been classified 
 by the comparative length of the operculum, but this system is 
 open to the serious objection of separating species which are 
 nearly allied to each other. Eor instance, iron barks, which closely 
 resemble each other in their general characteristics, are placed, 
 some in the first division, and some in the second, simply because 
 
4 FLOEA OF AUSTEALIA. 
 
 they do not correspond in the length of the operculum. The 
 same also may be said of the species called mahogany, one of- 
 which must be referred to each division of the genus under the 
 present arrangement, whereas common sense would lead us to 
 keep them in the same group. Dr. 'F. Mueller has suggested a 
 new division of the species which he denominates " the Cortical 
 System," because it is founded upon the difference of the barks, 
 and he proposes to divide all the species into the following groups : 
 (1) LeiophloioB, or those having the bark smooth all over : (2) 
 JSemiphloicB, which have the bark partially persistent, but never 
 on the branches ; (3) BhytipMoice^ with the bark persistent on 
 the branches and stems, and rather solid ; (4) Schizophloioe, with 
 the bark persistent and deeply furrowed ; (5) Fachi/phloice, with 
 the bark fibrous and persistent ; and (6) Lepidopldoioe with the 
 bark quite lamellar, resembling mica schist. Much might be said 
 in favour of this arrangement, as it is one which commends itself 
 even to the casual observer : and if in connexion with it, due at- 
 tention were paid to the shape of the seed vessel, it seems highly 
 probable that many of the anomalies of the present system would 
 be obviated. In some of the species described even in standard 
 works, the seed vessels are scarcely noticed, and the descriptions 
 are, in other respects, so defective and unsatisfactory, that it is 
 almost impossible to ascertain the exact species indicated. The 
 seed vessels are generally turbinate, hemispherical, or approaching 
 campanulate ; and hence, when taken in connexion with the 
 cortical system, they offer a good mark of distinction for classifi- 
 cation. There is reason to believe that in some instances, an un- 
 necessary multiplication of species has occurred from placing too 
 much reliance on apparent specific differences in dried specimens, 
 without an examination of that which differs the least in the same 
 species, viz., the shape and divisions of the seed vessel. In this 
 genus little reliance can be placed on the size and shape of the 
 leaves, for in some species they may be found of various forms on 
 the same tree. Beyond indeed indicating the prevalent shape, 
 texture, and veining of the leaves, it seems almost useless to dwell 
 on matters which afford no certain guide for the distinction of 
 species. The common grey gum or hybrid box is a remarkable 
 instance of the variation to which leaves in the same species are 
 subject, for on it they may be found of all shapes from narrow 
 lanceolate to broad ovate. 
 
PAEEAMATTA DISTEICT. 5 
 
 Amongst the Calyciflorse there is a numerous family of composite 
 plants, probably forty species, but with the exception of Humea 
 elegans, Ozothamnus diosmifolius, and two species of Cassinia, there 
 are few which would interest the general observer. The Epacri- 
 daceae, on the contrary, are generally admired, and occupy the 
 same place in this part of the world which the heaths do at the 
 Cape. In this district there are about twenty species, some 
 diffused very widely, and others being found only in particular 
 parts of the creeks to the north. StypJielia viridis, or the " five 
 corner," and Astroloma humifusum, or the " ground berry," are 
 well known as having edible drupes, and there are three species 
 of Leucopogon which have an agreeable fruit, but too small for 
 the purposes of man. StypJielia'tuliflora, which is distinguished 
 by its beautiful crimson flowers, is rather rare in the Parramatta 
 district, and two much admired species, viz., Trochocarpa Imtrina, 
 and Dracophyllum secundum, are found but seldom. Amongst 
 the calycifloraa plants, there are many which might be cultivated 
 as ornamental shrubs, particularly Elceodendrvm integrifolium, re- 
 markable for its bright scarlet berries, CaUiccma serratafolia, 
 Ceratopetalumi gummiferum, or the Christmas bush, C. apetalwn^ 
 and Olochidion Australe. I have not noticed ApJianopetalu/m 
 resinosu/ni near Parramatta, but it occurs at a place called the 
 Native Vineyard, near the Eev. T. Hassall's at the Cowpastures, 
 and is a graceful climbing shrub. Amongst the edible plants 
 there are three species of Bubus, or native raspberry, which, 
 though in their wild state producing an insipid fruit, might 
 doubtless be improved by care and attention. B. parviflorus is 
 the commonest in the immediate neighbourhood, but B. moluccanus, 
 and B. roscefolius, grow in the creeks near Kissing Point. The 
 plant called native carrot is an umbelliferous and edible species 
 (Didiscus alhijlorus), and Tetragonia expansa, or New Zealand 
 spinach, is relished by many persons. With regard to the com- 
 mon purslane (Portulaca oleracea), which at one time was culti- 
 vated by our forefathers, it may be looked upon as a wholesome 
 vegetable, though, as a garden plant, it has long fallen into disuse. 
 In the interior of the colony however, where edible plants are 
 scarce, purslane is by no means despised, as will appear from the 
 following passage in Dr. E. Mueller's Botanical Eeport on 
 the North Australian expedition : " We had almost daily occasion 
 
6 PLOEA OF ArSTRALIA. 
 
 to praise the value of tlie purslane, which not only occurred in 
 every part of the country explored, but also principally in the 
 neighbourhood of rivers, often in the greatest abundance. "We 
 found it in sandy and grassy localities, so agreeably acidulous, as 
 to use it for food without any preparation ; and I have reason to 
 attribute the continuance of ourhealth, partially to the constant 
 use of this valuable plant. The absence of other antiscorbutic 
 herbs in the north, and the facility with which it may be gathered, 
 entitle it to particular notice." In addition to those already 
 mentioned, I have not observed any edible calycidorals, with the 
 exception of a small parsley {Helosciadium leptophylluon) , and the 
 Lilly Pilly of our colonial youths, which is the fruit of Eugenia. 
 
 (3.) The Corolliflorse of the district comprehend twenty families 
 and the number of species is rather more than fifty. Most of the 
 plants connected with this division are small and uninteresting, 
 so far as the Parramatta district is concerned, and offer but few 
 beauties to the practical gardener. If we except Ehretia acuminata, 
 which indeed scarcely belongs to the district, the only interesting 
 shrubs to be noticed are Tecoma Australis, or the Australian 
 Bignonia, Logania floribunda (which forms an exception to the 
 generality of native plants in having an agreeable scent), Myopo- 
 rum ellipticvm, Notelcea ovata, or the native olive, Duioisia My- 
 oporoides and Clerodendrmn tomentosum. There is also an elder 
 which I believe to be identical with that described in Sir. T. 
 Mitchell's Travels, under the name of Tripetalus Australasiciis. 
 " Soon after we passed ' Billabugan,' a cattle station on the river, 
 where the dry branch joined it ; and at three miles further we 
 traversed the southern skirts of a plain, and finally made a bend 
 of the Lachlan, on which we encamped in latitude 33°24' 28" 
 south. In the course of this day's journey, we discovered a bush 
 resembling the European dwarf elder, but Avith yellow flowers, 
 and fruit with scarcely any pulp." This plant differs from the 
 genus Sambucus in having three sepals, three petals, and three 
 stamens only, whereas the European elder is pentandrous. There 
 are two trees belonging to the Corolliflorae which abound on the 
 banks of the Parramatta Eiver, and are generally called " man- 
 groves." The true mangrove is a tropical tree, and one of those 
 to which I refer is (Egiceras fragrans, with white sweet-scented 
 flowers, and the other, Avicennia iomentosa^ with inconspicuous 
 
PAEEjLMATTA disteict. 7 
 
 yellow flowers. Near these may sometimes be seen Myrsine 
 variahilis, a shrub rightly named, " variable," for the stunted 
 variety growing near the salt water diiFers so much in its appear- 
 ance from that found on the banks of the freshwater creeks, that 
 at first sight one would suppose them to be distinct species. Of 
 the Asclepias family, Marsdenia suaveolens is another plant which 
 must be noticed, on account of its agreeable scent. There are 
 two others nearly allied to it, but not in any way remarkable. 
 Turning to the smaller, or herbaceous plants of this division, we 
 find some esteemed for their medicinal properties. ErytJiroea 
 Australis is a pretty pink flower, and possesses all the essential 
 properties of gentian. It has been much used in rustic pharmacy, 
 and more than one medical man in this neighbourhood has pre- 
 scribed it as a tonic. Sehcea ovata is a still more diminutive plant, 
 with yellow flowers, very similar in character to the last. Ver- 
 lena officinalis has had its reputation as a medicine, and it was 
 employed by the ancients in a very superstitious manner. Some 
 have thought that the poet alludes to this plant in the following 
 passage : 
 
 Effer aquam et molli cinge hcec altaria vitta : 
 
 Verbenasqae aclole pingvies 
 
 The Lamiacese are not very numerous, but they offer to our notice 
 two or three interesting plants, such, for instance, as Prunella 
 vulgaris, Mentha satureoicles, and Marruhium vulgare, all of which 
 are used as cheap and efficacious remedies by country people. 
 Scutellaria humilis is found here as well as in Europe, but ^S'. 
 mollis, which occurs sparingly on the Toongabbie Creek, is some- 
 what rarer. Veronica pleheia is medicinal in its properties, and 
 is nearly allied to those species which Withering informs us have 
 been recommended as a substitute for tea. This little plant be- 
 longs to the SGro])hulariaceoe, and with it may also be mentioned 
 Gratiola pedunculata, which has a very powerful scent, and I think 
 it should he used with caution, as it closely resembles O. officinalis, 
 which Lindley characterises as " cathartic, diuretic, emetic, and 
 poisonous." The species of the SolanacesB are very limited in 
 this district, and, with the exception of Datura stramonium, which 
 has been introduced, and is a deadly poison, I have never heard 
 of any ill effects arising from them. 
 
 (4.) The Monochlamydeae have fifteen families in the district, 
 including the Proteaceoe, and a few very useful trees, such as four 
 
8 FLORA or AUSTEALIA. 
 
 species of Casuarina, whicli afford wood for shingles, furniture, 
 and handles, and two trees generally called "Sassafras" by work- 
 men, the one of which {Cryptocarya glaucescens) occurs on one 
 part of the Toongabbie Creek, and the other {Borypliora sassafras) 
 in the remote part of the district. To this division, belong also 
 the far-famed native cherry {Exocaipus cupressiformis) , and two 
 species of Leptomeria, one of which, under the name of " native 
 currant," is well-known in the Sydney market. Allied to these 
 is a small species of Santalum (S. obtusifoUum) , which has drupes 
 of a dark blue colour, about the size of a small marble. It is a 
 rare plant, and I believe the flower is hitherto but imperfectly 
 described. The Proteaceous family has nearly thirty species in 
 this neighbourhood, including the genera ofIsopoyo7i, Gonospeimwiii 
 JPersoonia, jPetrophila, Stenocarpus, Orevillea, Telopea, Banksia, 
 Lamhertia, Xylomelum, Lomatia, and Salcea. In reference to this 
 group, Lindley justly remarks : " They are handsome evergreen 
 shrubs, much prized by gardeners for the neatness of their ap- 
 pearance, and the beauty or singularity of their flowers," . . . 
 " but upon the whole, the order must be regarded as one of the 
 most useless to man." The fruit of JPersoonia is edible, and 
 Telopea speciosissima is certainly the most conspicuous flower on 
 the banks of our creeks ; but, with the exception of Banksia 
 serrata, the wood of which has been used for the knees of boats 
 and gun-stocks, I am not aware that any of our species are of 
 much importance to man. Before I pass from theMonochlamyde?p, 
 I may remark that the nuts of Macrozamia spiralis are much 
 relished by the aboriginal natives, and Chenopodium Attstrale, 
 which is found in sandy places near the salt water, is a tolerable 
 substitute for samphire. 
 
 (5.) The next great division of plants to which we must refer 
 is that of the Endogens or Monocotyledons, including twenty 
 distinct families, and not less than a hundred and eighty species. 
 The first of these which I shall notice, is Smilax ylycypliylla, a 
 very useful plant, placed by Lindley in a separate class with a 
 few others called by him " Dictyogens," which that eminent 
 writer regards as a transition class between Endogens and Exo- 
 gens. S. ylycyphylla, well known by the name of " Sweet Tea," 
 is now introduced into the Pharmacopoeia, and recommended as a 
 tonic and anti-scorbutic. An infusion of the leaves is prepared 
 
PAEEAMATTA DISTEICT. 9 
 
 by some persons as a wholesome and agreeable beverage, and is 
 also employed as a substitute for the imported sarsaparilla. Some 
 years since a considerable quantity of Smilax was imported into 
 England from Australia, and its quality was pronounced excellent. 
 It would be impossible in a limited paper to convey an adequate 
 idea of the great importance of the Endogens in this district, 
 inasmuch as the species of some families are very numerous. 
 Three of the most extensive are the Liliacece, Orchidacecdy and 
 Graminacecd. Of the first, the species of Dianella, Xanthorrlicea, 
 and Thjsanotus, are the most interesting. The orchids number 
 forty-five species, and amongst them there are several very 
 beautiful flowers, particularly Dendrobium speciosuiri, Dipodium 
 punctatum, Lyperanthus simveolens, and L. nigricans, Prasophyllum 
 platens, and Thelymitra ixioides. Amongst the smaller orchids also 
 there are many points of interest, some of them being of the most 
 fantastic shapes, whilst others are remarkable for the irritable 
 properties which they possess. Acianthus caudatus, which occurs 
 on Pye's Creek, is, I believe, one of the rarest orchids in Australia, 
 and Cynibid'mm reflexum is far from being so common in other 
 parts of the colony, as it is at the North E-ocks. Of the Grami- 
 nacece, it is difiicult to overrate the importance, seeing that they 
 contribute so much to the support of the animal kingdom, and 
 afford so pleasing a relief to the eye by the beautiful verdure 
 which they spread over our fields. It might be supposed that 
 the native grasses had disappeared from the district, and had 
 been superseded by European or Indian grasses. This, however, 
 is not the case, and in localities which still retain something of 
 their original condition, I have been able to collect nearly fifty 
 species of indigenous grasses. Some of these (such as Fennisetum 
 glaucum, Imperata arundmacea, Heinarthria compressa, Zoysia pun- 
 gens, Poa polymorpha, JPanicum crus-galli, and Paspalum orhiculare) 
 are exceedingly interesting as objects of scientific inquiry, but 
 they do not occur in sufficient quantities to satisfy the wants of 
 the grazier. Perhaps of all the bush grasses Anthistiria Australis 
 is the most valued by cattle, but if we may rely on the testimony 
 of the older colonists, this is not so productive as in the early 
 days of the colony, and it is rapidly giving way to the couch 
 {Cynodon dactylon). In enclosed places, where the grasses are 
 allowed to seed, it is pleasing to see the native grasses springing 
 
 B 
 
10 FLOEA OF ArSTEALIA. 
 
 up as a'bundantly as ever. I have remarked, for instance, in the 
 Eoman Catholic Burying-ground at Parramatta, a plentiful crop 
 of Anisopogon avenaceus, which in the spring of the year has a 
 pretty and oatlike appearance. This is a grass which grows to 
 the height of three feet and upwards, and it may easily be recog- 
 nised by its triply bearded perianth. Connected with this division, 
 there are several aquatic plants which at certain seasons relieve 
 the sameness of our creeks and stagnant waters. Of these Dama- 
 sonmm ovalifolium, and Fhih/dnwi lanuginosumj are the most con- 
 spicuous. Fatersonia sericea, with dark purple flowers, and Com- 
 melyna cyanea, with its lighter tints, are much admired by all who 
 examine them, nor is the Arum of the district {A. orixense) devoid 
 of attraction, though the corms are generally regarded as injurious. 
 (6.) The Cryptogamous plants are well worthy of examination, 
 for amongst them will be found some of the most admired ferns 
 and mosses in the colony. Of the former we have about forty 
 species, and of the latter, probably more. The tree fern 
 {Alsopldla Australis) is becoming rare in the immediate neighbour- 
 hood, but there is one still to be found within a mile and a-half 
 of the Water Works, and many of the rocks in moist and 
 shady places are covered with the spreading Poli/podium impestre^ 
 and the graceful little fern HymenopTiyllum Timhridgense, whilst 
 in certain spots, two species of Schizoea occur. Of the Marsilacese, 
 I have noticed the curious little floating plant Azolla pinnata, and 
 of the Lycopodiacese, four species ; but scarcely any of the 
 cryptogamous plants have afforded me more satisfaction than 
 the Urn Mosses. When examined microscopically, they display 
 the most striking instances of skill and beauty. The delicacy 
 and regularity of the little teeth surrounding the peristome, which 
 when present, are always four or a multiple of four, and the 
 wonderful striated leaves which when magnified by a high power, 
 present to view cells composed of spiral fibres, are convincing 
 proofs of the wisdom and providential care of the Creator, and cause 
 the reflecting mind to think with the Psalmist, that " the works 
 of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure 
 therein. ' ' When contemplating these striking instances of design , 
 one cannot wonderSfchat the sight of the diminutive moss Dkraimm 
 Iryoides, (which by the way, is found on the banks of our creek 
 not far from Parramatta) cheered the drooping spirits of the 
 
PAEEAMATTA DISTEICT. H 
 
 enter])rising African traveller, and forced him to exclaim, " Can 
 that Being who planted, watered, and brought to perfection in 
 this obscure part of the world, a thing which appears of so small 
 importance, look with unconcern upon the situation and suffer- 
 ings of creatures formed after his own image ?" — (Park's Travels, 
 Chap. 18.) The Lichens are not very numerous, being confined 
 to few species, and these seem identical with the European ones. 
 One of the most familiar is TJsnea harhata, which by Shakspeare and 
 other poets is so frequently referred to as " Beardmoss," " Tree- 
 moss," and "Idle-moss." This Lichen may be seen on old trees 
 and fences, and as if sheltering itself from the hot winds of 
 the north, almost invariably choosing a southerly aspect. The 
 beautiful little Cladonia, 0. beUidiflora, is very frequently seen on 
 the stumps of dead trees, and I think that it is to this Lichen 
 Mrs. Hemans refers in the following lines : — 
 
 Oh ! green is the turf where my brothers play 
 Through the long bright hours of the summer day, 
 
 They find the red cup moss where they climb. 
 And they chase the bee o'er the scented thyme. 
 
 It is highly probable that our Cladonice, of which we have also 
 the elegant C. reti^pora, contain a certain quantity of gummy and 
 starchy matter, and hence they might be used in hooping cough 
 and other complaints of the lungs, but it would be difficult to 
 procure them in any quantity. 
 
 Of the fungi, I have not made any estimate, as with very few 
 exceptions, they appear to be similar to the European species. 
 Some of the Polypori, especially P. sanguineus, which is seen so 
 frequently on dead tea trees, are pretty objects, and there is a 
 large underground fungus, Mylitta Australis, sometimes dug up in 
 new ground in the neighbourhood, that has attracted some attention. 
 The largest I have seen is about the size of a child's head, and it 
 answers nearly to Endlicher's description of the genus Balsmnia^ 
 but a much larger one was dug up at Melbourne some months ago. 
 I may add also that the curious fungus, Aseroe pentactina, of 
 which there is an excellent figure in Lindley's Vegetable King- 
 dom, is of frequent occurrence here, and seems to be identical with 
 the species found in New Zealand and Ceylon. The receptacle 
 of this fungus is generally five parted with bifid segments, of a 
 red colour and of an odour most abominable, being probably 
 similar in properties to Phallus iinpudicus, to which it is nearly 
 
12 FLOEA OF AIJSTEALIA. 
 
 allied. Clathrus is represented here by a species that does not 
 possess the same disagreeable properties as the European C. 
 cancellatus or the Latticed Stinkhorn. Morchella esculenta, I have 
 seen only once in this colony. 
 
 In concluding this rapid outline of the plants found in the 
 Parramatta District, I feel that the subject is too extensive for a 
 limited paper. Having made a humble attempt, however, I trust 
 that it may be the means of throwing some little light on the 
 natural beauties of the district, and of inducing others to see the 
 vast importance of devoting some portion of their time to the 
 study of nature. What Cicero remarked of the liberal arts, " that 
 they are nearly allied to each other,' and have, as it were, one com- 
 mon bond of union," may be extended to science in general, and 
 the observer of the phenomena in the vegetable kingdom will 
 often acknowledge with pleasure the intimate connexion that 
 exists between his favourite pursuit and other branches of science, 
 and perceive how beautifully and harmoniously one department 
 of knowledge illustrates and confirms the deductions of another. 
 "We have already noticed in this brief sketch the commune vincultim 
 between botany on the one hand, and medicine, horticulture, and 
 even the sublime study of natural theology on the other ; and if, 
 with the geologist, we were to dive into the bowels of the earth, 
 and gaze with wonder on a flora long extinct, the very district 
 that we have been considering, would assist us in investigating 
 the shadowy forms which are imprinted on the rocks. 
 
 AUSTRALIAN ORCHIDS. 
 
 S 
 
 OME time since, when I was engaged in collecting the orchids 
 of the Parramatta district, I calculated that we had forty-five 
 species of that interesting order, all of which, with one exception, 
 are described in Brown's Prodromus. Having reviewed my list 
 during the present season, (1866) and compared my conclusions 
 
PAEEAMATTA DISTEICT. 13 
 
 with the views of my eminent friend Dr. F. Mueller, as set forth 
 in the 35th number, vol. 5, of his Fragmenta Phyiograpliice 
 Australioe, I am happy to find that the Parramatta district is not 
 only rich in orchids, but that the doctor has made especial 
 reference to several species found here. In a few instances Dr. 
 F. Mueller proposes to unite some of the generally received species 
 (such for example as Tlielymitra nuda and T. paucijlora, Acianthus 
 exsertus and A. fornicatus, Calochilus campestris and C. paludosus, 
 and Microtis rara and M. paj^viflora) , but after making allowance 
 for these alterations, it seems that we have upwards of forty 
 species in this district, some of which are regarded as rare and 
 interesting plants. The list, as amended, will now comprise the 
 following species : — 
 
 Acianthus 
 
 Gyrtostylis . 
 
 Chiloglottis , 
 
 Eriochilus 
 
 Caladenia 
 
 Lyperanthus 
 
 Glossodia 
 
 Pterostylis 
 
 (1 ) Thelymitraixioides is one of our most admired orchids, and 
 has a very Avide range, being found in many places between Port 
 Jackson and Port Phillip. It is abundant in the spring, and, with 
 its showy spike of bluish flowers, has the appearance of a cultivated 
 plant. T. nuda is a smaller flower, and generally the spike of the 
 flowers is very diminutive when compared with the preceding species. 
 T. carnea is of a dark pink colour, and on examination it will be 
 found that the structure of the flower differs from the other species 
 of this district in not having any of the segments terminated with 
 a little tuft of hairs. Dr. P. Mueller has described some new 
 species {T. Macmillani, T. pardalina, and T. porphyrosticta) , and 
 he also mentions (in addition to Brown's T. media, T. caniculata, 
 T. angustifolia, T. venosa, T. tigrina, and T.fusco-lcdtd)., the species 
 T. antennifera, T.fiexuosa, T. aristata, T. spiralis, T. variegata; but 
 it seems highly probable that the number is somewhat over-rated, 
 and that hereafter some of the so-called species will be united. 
 (2.) The genus Diuris has three species in this neighbourhood, 
 D. inaculata, or the spotted one, I), aurea which is generally larger 
 
 Thelymitra . . . 
 Diuris 
 
 3 
 3 
 
 Orthoceras . . . 
 
 1 
 
 Cryptostylis ... 
 Prasophyllum 
 Spiranthes . . . 
 Calochilus 
 
 1 
 4 
 1 
 1 
 
 Microtis 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 Corysanthes . 
 
 Caleana ... 
 
 . 1 
 . 2 
 
 1 
 1 
 4 
 
 Dipodimn 
 Cymhidium . 
 Dendrohium . 
 
 . 1 
 . 2 
 . 5 
 
 2 
 
 
 — 
 
 2 
 
 
 45 
 
 G 
 
 
 — 
 
I4i FLOEA OP AIJSTEALIA. 
 
 and of a yellow colour, and D. elongata which is of a purplish 
 colour. If we take the extreme variations of D. maculata and D. 
 aurea, they appear perfectly distinct and probably are so ; but 
 sometimes intermediate varieties occur which are somewhat per- 
 plexing. During the last spring, I examined some scores of these 
 orchids, and not unfrequently met with individuals that scarcely 
 agreed with either of Brown's descriptions. Brown also described 
 D. emarginata, D. setacea, D. pedimculata, D. sulphurea, D. pauci- 
 flora, D. alba, and D, longifolia, to which Dr. E. Mueller now adds 
 D.fllifolia, D.porrifolia, D. palustris, and D. corymlosa. 
 
 (3.) OrtJioceras strictmn comes very near to the preceding 
 genus. "With us it is a rare plant, but Dr. F. Mueller mentions it 
 amongst those orchids which occur frequently in Victoria. 
 
 (4.) Cryjptostylis longifolia belongs to this district, and flowers 
 late in the season. C. erecta is found on the Blue Mountains ; 
 and, according to Dr. F. Mueller C. ovata has been collected in 
 the district of Plan tag enet and Stirling's Eange. 
 
 (5.) The species of Prasophylhmi most common here are P. 
 fatens, P. elatum, P.fimhriatum, and P. rufum ; but Dr. F. Mueller 
 recognises amongst the specimens which I have forwarded to him, 
 P. hrachystachyum, from the neighbourhood of Sydney (Brown's 
 Oenoplesium Baueri), and also another from the Blue Mountains, 
 which he has named P. Woollsii. The remaining species en- 
 umerated by Brown are: — P. Australe, P. macrostachyum, P. 
 flaDum, P. alpinv/m, P. nigricans, and P.fimlriatwn, to which we 
 may add the doctor's list P. Archeri, P. despectans, P. parvifolium. 
 and P. Irevilalre ; but it seems highly probable that, as the species 
 are brought under cultivation, the number will be reduced. 
 P. elatum is one of our largest orchids, being sometimes three or 
 four feet high. 
 
 (6.) Spiranthes Australis (probably the same as Brown's 
 Neottia Australis), is a small plant with pinkish flowers in twisted 
 spikes, and common on some of the creeks to the north of Parra- 
 matta ; but it is one of those which easily escape the notice of the 
 casual observer. It occurs in various parts of Victoria. 
 
 (7.) CalocMlus Australianus, under which name Dr. F. Mueller 
 includes the two varieties of this plant, is very, abundant in this 
 district in the month of October. The long, dark-coloured beard 
 is well defined j but the species is subject to considerable variation, 
 
PAEEAMATTA DISTBICT. 1^ 
 
 both as regards its size and the number of flowers on the same 
 stem. According to the doctor, it has a wide range in these 
 colonies, and extends to Tasmania. 
 
 (8.) Microtis has M. 'pawiflora and M. rara in this district ; 
 but Dr. Mueller combines these and several others under ilT. 
 viridis. In addition to M. alba and M. pulcheUa, he mentions M. 
 afrata, from "Western Australia and Victoria. This genus ap- 
 proaches very near Spiranthes ; but the greenish spike of flowers is 
 not twisted. 
 
 (9.) Acianthus fornicatus, with which A. exsertus is now joined, 
 is plentiful in many parts of the colony, and extends to Victoria ; 
 but A. caudatus, which in this district is a very rare species, is 
 found here and there from the Blue Mountains to Victoria, and 
 also in Flinders' Island and Tasmania. 
 
 (10.) Cyrtosti/Us reniformis is a minute orchid with a kidney- 
 shaped leaf It is plentiful on shady creeks, generally growing 
 on moist banks, or under the shade of rocks. It extends to 
 Victoria. 
 
 (11.) GJdlogloUis diphylla occurs in this district, and also in the 
 adjacent colonies, but here it may be regarded as rare. This and 
 the preceding species generally flower in autumn. C. Gunnii as 
 well as C. diphjlla occurs in Victoria. 
 
 (12.) Eriochilus autuonnalis is another minute orchid, and, as 
 the specific name implies, appears in the autumn. It has a wide 
 range, between St. Vincent's Gulf and Moreton Bay. E. scaler 
 occurs at the Eiver Murchison, and JE. multiflorus at Kalga, &c. 
 
 (13.) Caladenia is a very pretty genus, and some of the species, 
 especially C. ccBrulea, C. alba, G. carnea, and G. testacea, are 
 abundant in the spring. C. JPatersoni, I have found near the coast, 
 but it occurs more frequently in the interior, as I have received 
 specimens from the neighbourhood of Mudgee and also from the 
 Murrumbidgee. Dr. Mueller proposes to unite this interesting 
 species with C. dilatata and some others under C. pulcherrima. 
 The other species described by Brown are C. deformis, G. alata, 
 G. flava, G. latifolia, G. (/racilis, G. conyesta, G. filamentosa, G, 
 Jilenziesii, and G. macrophylla. To these, the Doctor adds G. 
 (/emmata, G. ungidcidata, G. ochreata, and G. barbata, combining 
 G. alata and G. angustata with G. carnea, and G. mollis with G. 
 latifolia. During the last spring I paid particular atttention to G. 
 
16 FLOEA OF AUSTEALIA. 
 
 carulea, C. alba^ and G. carnea, and although in the present state 
 of our inquiries I think it may be prudent to regard them as dis- 
 tinct species, yet I should not be surprised, if hereafter they were to 
 be considered as varieties. Colour is certainly a very doubtful 
 note for distinguishing species, and yet the principal difference 
 between C. carnea and C. ccerulea is that one is generally pink, 
 and the other blue ; whilst C. carnea is only separated from C. 
 alha by the vittate column and labellum, a mark of distinction 
 which does not always hold good, for sometimes individuals are 
 found with only the column vittate. 
 
 (14.) Lyperantlms suaveoJens is common in the spring, and is 
 one of our most interesting orchids. Dr. E. Mueller has furnish- 
 ed an accurate description of this species in his Pragmenta from 
 specimens sent from Parramatta. It does not appear that this 
 species has a wide range, for it is known to the Doctor only as 
 coming from Tasmania and the neighbourhood of Parramatta. 
 The specific name seems rather inappropriate, as the plant has 
 not any scent, or at all events that variety which is now referred 
 to L. suaveolens has not any. I have collected L. nigricans only 
 once in the neighbourhood, and it appears that although the 
 species extends very widely in extra-tropical Australia, it is 
 nowhere abundant. The plant in drying becomes perfectly black, 
 and indeed the other species here changes its colour in similar 
 circumstances, but not to the same extent. To Brown's L. 
 ellipticus, the Doctor adds L. Burnettii from Tasmania, and L. 
 serratus from Cape Leschenault. It is somev/hat remarkable that 
 L. suaveolens, after passing over Victoria, should appear again in 
 Tasmania. 
 
 (15.) Glossoclia major and G. minor are plentiful in this dis- 
 trict in the spring, and the former has a leaf which emits a de- 
 licious scent when bruised. Dr. P. Mueller had some idea of 
 uniting these two, but I believe that he has reconsidered the 
 matter, and now adopts Brown's view. G. major has a very 
 wide range, but the other species is more limited. 
 
 (16.) Pterostylis according to Brown, has the following spe- 
 cies : — P. concinna, P. ophioglossa, P. c^uia, P. acuminata, P. 
 pedunculata, P. cucullata, P. nana, P. nutans, P. ohtusa, P. rejlcxa, 
 P.revoluta, P. grandijlora, P.parviflora, P. longifolia, P. squamata, 
 P. Tufa, P. gihlosa, P. inutica, and P. duhia. Of these we have 
 
OECHIDS. 17 
 
 six well defined species which flower in the autumn and winter, 
 viz., P. concinna, P. nutans, P. mutica, P. rufa, P. grandiUora, and 
 P. longifolia. Dr. F. Mueller alludes to other species, but in- 
 clines to the opinion that they are not really distinct from those 
 already described ; and, indeed, if his views prove correct, the 
 number of true species will be hereafter diminished. The doctor 
 alludes to a variety of P. cm^ta which was collected near Bent's 
 Basin by the writer of this paper, and also to a varietas Wool- 
 siana of P. grandifiora, but it is to be doubted whether these 
 varieties are permanent, or whether they may not be compre- 
 hended in the brief descriptions of Er. Brown. 
 
 (17.) Corysanthes fimhriata is the most diminutive of our or- 
 chids, and flowers in the winter. The flower is helmet-shaped, 
 and of a dark reddish brown with a solitary leaf. As it grows on 
 the moist banks of our shady creeks, it has the appearance of 
 some insect. This species extends to Victoria, but C. hicalcarata 
 is much rarer. Dr. F. Mueller has received specimens from the 
 Brisbane, which he refers to the latter species, and the late 
 Mr. W. S. Macleay used to say that it had been found near 
 Sydney. It seems probable that it may occur near us, 
 because Brown describes it as growing at Port Jackson, 
 but I have never been so fortunate as to meet with any living 
 specimens of the species, nor do I think it is known to Dr. 
 Mueller excepting from the Brisbane. 
 
 (18.) Caleana major and G. minor differ from each other prin- 
 cipally in the bract on the stem, the latter being without any. 
 In the spring of the year, G. major is common in this neighbour- 
 hood, and although possessing no particular beauty, is one of the 
 most extraordinary orchids we have. The labellum is moveable 
 and irritable, so that any slight external action (whether arising 
 from the atmosphere, an insect, or a touch of the hand) causes it 
 to shut, just as if it moved by a spring. There is an allied spe- 
 cies at Swan Eiver (C nigrita) in which some observers have 
 supposed that the irritability arises from a design on the part of 
 nature to attract insects and catch them, as it has been remarked 
 that when the lid by falling upon the lower part of the boat- 
 shaped flower, does not catch anything, it soon opens again. I 
 am inclined to think that this is only partially true, and that the 
 movement is connected with the impregnation or fertilisation of 
 c 
 
18 FLOEA OP AUSTRALIA. 
 
 the flower, tlie pollen being probably shaken by the fall of the 
 lid. 
 
 (19.) Dipodium punctatum is a leafless plant with a raceme of 
 purple flowers. This is the only species known here, but Dr, 
 Mueller alludes to two other species, D. ensifoUum and D. 
 venosum, of which latter, a straw-coloured variety occurs in New 
 England. 
 
 (20.) The genus CymUdium is now divided, so that one of our 
 species ( G. rejieocum) is referred to Sturmia. Of this, Dr. Mueller 
 remarks that it is known only to him from our Parramatta 
 specimens. It is abundant on our creeks to the north, and I 
 have also seen it in gullies in the county of Camden, but it does 
 not extend to Victoria. S. ccelogynoides grows at the Clarence, 
 and S. hdbenaria at Rockingham Bay. Gymbidium suave extends 
 from Illawarra to Moreton Bay, and G. caniculatum, although 
 occurring in the northern parts of this colony, is more widely 
 diffused through the arid regions of the tropics. The tender parts 
 of the stem, and the base of the leaves, afford a mucilaginous 
 food. 
 
 (21.) Dendrohium is a genus generally epiphytal, and compre- 
 hends many species, some of which are as yet but imperfectly 
 known. D. speciosum (our Eock Lily), D. linguoeforme, and D. 
 cdmidum are plentiful here, but D, pungioforme, D. teretifolmm, 
 and D. Shepherdli are less frequent. To Brown's D. undulatum, 
 D. caniculatumy and D. rigidum, Dr. Mueller adds D. Milligani, 
 D. Mortii, D. Beckleon, D. monophyllimi, D. tetragonum (Allan 
 Cunningham), D. elongatum (A. Cun.), J). Brishanense, D. minu- 
 tissimum, D. exiguum, D. awantiamm, and D. Kingianum. D. Cu- 
 ciimerinum was found by the late Mr. W. S. Macleay, near Brown- 
 low Hill, growing on the swamp oak, and the Australian D. hi- 
 gihhum has been cultivated in England. Nearly allied to this 
 genus are the species of Sarchochihis, viz. S. falcatus, S. Hillii, 
 S. Gunnii, and S. calcaratus, the firyt two of which occur at Tomah, 
 and were also found near Camden by Sir William Macarthur. 
 
 The remaining Orchids mentioned by Dr. F. Mueller are the 
 following: — Epiblema grandiflorum (Cape Le Grand, &c.), Oeodo- 
 ru » pictum (Rockingham Bay, &c.), Fhajus grandifolius (Queens- 
 land), IIabenariaochroleuca{)^OQ,km^\idi,m. Bay), FhoUdota imbricata 
 (Rockingham Bay), Galanthe veratrifoUa (Hastings River, &c.), 
 
OECUIDS. 19 
 
 Oheronia palmicola (Hastings Eiver, &c.), Artlirochilus irritdbilis 
 (Duraudo), Gastrodia sesamoides (Victoria, &c.), Brakoea elastica 
 (Leschenaiilt Prom, &c.), Erythorchis aphylla (Hastings Eiver, &c.) 
 In concluding this review of Australian Orchids, so far as 
 they are yet known, it may be seen that the study of this inter- 
 esting family of plants is one of an extensive character, and 
 opens to the inquiring mind a wide field for observation. Since 
 the days of the celebrated Eobert Brown, many species have 
 been discovered, and it is highly probable that as the new (Settle- 
 ments that are being formed in N.E. Australia are more care- 
 fully examined, other novelties will develop themselves. A. 
 Cunningham and others were not neglectful of this singular 
 order, and Dr. 1*'. Mueller, in some late numbers of his 
 "Fragmenta," has added materially to the species previously 
 known, lo speak of the Doctor's untiring exertions in the 
 cause of science, and the wonderful ability which he displays in 
 every department of the vegetable kingdom, seems almost super- 
 fluous, as probably there is no man in these colonies who has 
 earned for himself a higher reputation, or whose labours are 
 more generally appreciated by men of science throughout the 
 civilised world. I cannot, however, omit the present oppor- 
 tunity of acknowledging the great assistance I have derived from 
 his published works, as well as from the valuable hints which 
 from time to time I have had the honour to receive from him in 
 reference to Orchidaceaa and other orders of plants. If, in any 
 humble degree, I have been enabled now and then to aid him 
 in his unceasing efforts to develop the vegetable resources of 
 this vast continent, I regard it as a privilege, and my only regret 
 is that arduous duties of another kind frequently prevent me 
 from rendering him so much assistance as I desire. So far as 
 the orchids of Australia are concerned, to which the Doctor has 
 devoted so much attention, it would be well for any person de- 
 sirous of studying them, to compare Brown's descriptions with 
 the 35th No. of the "Fragmenta," (Vol. 5), and he will then 
 be able to form some idea of the labour and ability which will 
 be required to give accurate descriptions of all the known Aus- 
 tralian orchids. The day, no doubt, will arrive when a separate 
 work on this subject, accompanied with suitable illustrations, 
 will be deemed necessary, for, valuable as the descriptions of 
 
20 FLOEA OF ATJSTEALIA. 
 
 the order in a future volume ofthe"Elora A ustraliensis " will 
 be, it would be vain to suppose that brief notices only (which 
 are all that can be given in a comprehensive review of our vege- 
 table kingdom) will be sufficient to satisfy the minds of those 
 who are anxious to investigate the protean forms and anomalous 
 structure of our orchidaceae. In any of the flowers of the field 
 which it has pleased the Creator to scatter about us in wild pro- 
 fusion, there are beauties to be admired and mysteries to be 
 studied ; but in no order of our flora do the flowers appear so 
 varied in colour, so fantastic in shape, or so seemingly irregular 
 from the consolidation of the stamens and pistil into one com- 
 mon mass, as in orchids. Many of these elegant plants are so 
 insignificant as almost to escape observation, and others are 
 doomed "to blush unseen" amidst the dense shrubs that shade 
 them ; and yet, fostered by the Almighty power which called 
 them into existence, "they toil not, neither do they spin," whilst 
 it may truly be said, "that even Solomon in all his glory was 
 not arrayed like one of these." They, are indeed, as the poet 
 beautifully expresses himself, "the revelation of God's love" to 
 His creatures. 
 
 " Bright and glorious is that revelation, 
 
 Written all over this great world of ours ; 
 Making evident our own creation 
 
 In these stars of earth — these golden flowers.'' 
 
 RINGWORM, OR DODDER, ON LUCERNE 
 
 TT appears from the statements of several settlers that the 
 parasite called "ringworm," or "dodder" has lately prevailed 
 to a considerable extent on lucerne cultivated in some dis- 
 tricts of the colony. The parasite is nothing new to agricul- 
 turists, having been known in New South Wales for many years ; 
 but of late it seems to have spread more extensively than here- 
 tofore, and to have become very injurious to the lucerne crops. 
 
RINGWOEM, OR DODDEE. 21 
 
 This troublesome weed ( Cuscuta epithymum) in some respects 
 resembles mistletoe, and in others, dodder laurel {Cassythd) ; but 
 it differs from the former in not plunging its roots into the wood 
 and incorporating them with the tissue of plants ; and it differs 
 from the latter in being a much more thread-like parasite, the 
 seeds of which are destitute of cotyledons. The germination of 
 the dodder is curious. Its slender and simple radicle descends 
 into the earth ; and the plumule, equally simple and cylindrical, 
 rises like a thread : if it finds no other living plant near it, it 
 dies ; if it finds one, it surrounds the stem, and from the points 
 of contact proceed hollow tubercles or suckers, which plant 
 themselves in the bark and suck the juice which has been 
 elaborated by the plant attacked ; then the root becomes obliter- 
 ated and dies, and the plant lives from that time forward by its 
 suckers only. The species of our Gassytha or dodder laurel 
 (these plants being placed by botanists in the laurel family), are 
 sometimes mistaken for dodder, but they are much coarser plants, 
 and generally grow on shrubs or trees, sometimes forming dense 
 and almost inpenetrable masses in our scrubs. The species 
 described by Brown are G. pubescens, G. melantha, G. glabella, and 
 G. paniculata, two of which may frequently be seen in the neigh- 
 bourhood of Sydney, and the fruit of them is well known to 
 boys. These plants are leafless, voluble, and parasitical, and in 
 their habit they resemble the true dodder, for after they have 
 fixed themselves on any shrub, their root perishes, and they live 
 by means of the small protuberances or suckers which they form 
 on other plants. The true Australian dodders are placed by 
 Brown in the convolvulus family, and, like the European species, 
 are acotyledonous. That celebrated botanist describes two 
 species, G. Australis and G. carinata, both of which he considered 
 tropical ; but since his day, they have been found in this colony, 
 though somewhat sparingly, and generally adhering to some 
 JPolygonum growing near water. The species, however, which 
 our farmers have the principal reason to dread, is G. epithymum, 
 an introduced plant, now committing considerable injury amongst 
 the lucerne at Bathurst and other parts. Lucerne {Medicayo 
 sativd) is not a favourite with English farmers, for although it 
 will produce good crops for eight or ten years successively, yet 
 from the time the farmer must wait till his crop attains its per- 
 
^2 VLOUA or AUSTEALIA. 
 
 fection, and from the care requisite to keep it from grass and 
 weeds, it is not thought that lucerne will ever come into general 
 culture in England. It has long been cultivated in France and 
 Switzerland, and therefore we must look to the experience of the 
 Continental farmers for the best means of eradicating the dodder 
 now prevalent amongst it here. As a preliminary measure it 
 may be well to sift the seed of the lucerne in a fine sieve, in 
 order to get rid of any dodder seeds that may be adhering to it ; 
 and then, in soils which are supposed to be infested with weeds 
 and grasses, to sow the lucerne in drills about nine inches apart, 
 so that there may be greater facility in keeping the crops clean. 
 This method has advantages over 'the broad cast sowing, as the 
 crop may be cleared by horse-hoeing instead of harrowing, and 
 the quantity of seed required is only from eight to twelve pounds 
 per acre, whereas the broad-cast requires from fifteen to twenty. 
 M. Vaucher cleared his artificial fields from dodder by perpet- 
 ually breaking and dividing their stalks with a rake. Others 
 have mowed their lucerne which has been infested with the 
 dodder, before the dodder has had time to develop itself and pro- 
 duce seed. In this case the parasite has died away, and the 
 lucerne has sprung up with renewed vigour. When, however, 
 matters have proceeded too far, a change of crops is necessary, 
 so that when the dodder springs up, it may not find any plant on 
 which it can be nourished, and so perish without doing injury. 
 The subject is one of great interest and importance to agricul- 
 turists, as well as to those who are purchasers of lucerne hay, and 
 therefore it may be advisable to collect additional information re- 
 specting the ravages of the dodder, with a view of preventing its 
 further progress in these colonies, or at all events of ascertain- 
 ing the best means of eradicating it. 
 
 SUBSTITUTE FOR CUTTUN 
 
 T T is not perhaps generally known that the Zostera mari7ia, or 
 
 sea-wrack, Avhich Mr, Harben thinks will supersede the use 
 
 of cotton, is nothing more than the common weed which is used 
 
SUBSTITUTE FOR COTTON. 23 
 
 in this colony and in other parts of the world for stuffing mat- 
 tresses. This plant is not, strictly speaking, a sea-weed, al- 
 though it grows under water and has some of the characteristics 
 of an Alga; bnt it is really a phanerogamous plant of the 
 Linnoean class monandria, order monogynia, or of the natural order 
 Zosteraceae. It is partly described in Brown's Prodromus as in- 
 digenous in New South Wales; but it does not appear that 
 Brown ever had an opportunity of examining the flower, so that 
 he was not sure whether our species was really identical with 
 the European one or not. In England, the sea-wrack is said to 
 flower in August, but as I have recently noticed several plants 
 in a state of fructification, I conclude that in this part of the , 
 world it flowers in the spring. In addition to this species, which 
 abounds in our estuaries, there is another which may sometimes 
 be noticed on the sea-shore (probably Z. wajW^ww^), but the flower 
 of the one in question is very much like that of Z. Noltii figured 
 in Lindley's " Vegetable Kingdom." The flowers are so minute 
 that they can scarcely be recognised without the aid of a micro- 
 scope, but they are nevertheless true flowers, notwithstanding the 
 difficulty of accounting lor the mode of fertilisation in some of 
 the species. 
 
 Hitherto the sea- wrack, when dried, has been used for bedding, 
 and Withering says that the lower part of the stem contains 
 much saccharine matter, and is chewed by the Hebridians. It 
 has also had its place in the Pharmacopoeia as a remedy fOr in- 
 flammation, gout, and tumours ! Mr. Harben, however, is the first 
 person who has discovered that the fibre of the leaves may be 
 made available for cotton spinning machinery, and he is so 
 sanguine as to its qualities that he thinks the strength, elasticity, 
 and silky texture of the plant will render it not merely a substi- 
 tute for cotton, but that the sea-wrack will be preferred to it. 
 In this age of discovery, it is impossible to predict how far Mr. 
 Harben's anticipations may be realised, for not many years since, 
 the Isonandra, which has aff'orded employment to so many per- 
 sons in the manufacture of articles from gutta percha, was as 
 little regarded as Zoster a is now. Should the discovery prove 
 successful, it is satisfactory to know that abundance of raw ma- 
 terial may be procured on these shores, and therefore that Aus- 
 tralia, if necessary, may render assistance to the Lancashire 
 
24 FLORA OP AUSTRALIA. 
 
 weavers by affording them the means of employment in working 
 up some portions of the Zostera that is now scattered on our 
 coasts. 
 
 [The preceding remarks were written at the period, when in 
 consequence of the American War, the supply of cotton was al- 
 together inadequate for the British Market, and benevolent men 
 in different parts of the world were searching after vegetable 
 fibres, as substitutes for cotton. Mr. Harben's suggestions 
 were not disregarded, but on investigation, it was found that 
 the machinery used in the manufacture of cotton goods was not 
 adapted to the Zostera, and further that instead of producing an 
 article similar to cotton, this plant would have worked up into a 
 fabric, more analogous to silk.] 
 
 INDIGENOUS VEGETABLES. 
 
 T NOTICED some remarks lately in a colonial paper in refer- 
 ence to certain plants which may be used in seasons of 
 scarcity as substitutes for cultivated vegetables. These plants, 
 it is observed, are popularly termed " Pigweed,' " Fat-Hen," and 
 " New Zealand Spinach." The first of these is purslane or For- 
 tulaca oleracea, which was formerly cultivated as a pot-herb, 
 the young shoots and leaves having been used in spring and 
 autumn a» ingredients in pickles and salads. It is still retained 
 in the Pharmacopoeia, as " cooling, useful in scurvy and bilious 
 disorders : seeds vermifuge," and there can be no doubt of its de- 
 served reputation, for in Dr. F. Mueller's botanical report on the 
 North -Australian Expedition, he remarks, " We had almost daily 
 occasion to praise the value of the purslane, which not only oc- 
 curred in every part of the country explored, but also principally 
 in the neighbourhood of rivers, often in the greatest abundance. 
 We found it, in sandy and grassy localities, so agreeably acidulous, 
 as to use it for food without any preparation j and I have reason 
 
IJfDIUENOirS VEGETABLES. 25 
 
 to attribute the continuance of our health partially to the con- 
 stant use of this valuable plant. The absence of other antiscor- 
 butic herbs in the north, and the facility with which it may be 
 gathered, entitle it to particular notice." During the last 
 drought, a friend of mine, without knowing the properties of the 
 purslane, was induced to try it as a vegetable, imagining that it 
 must be nearly allied to spinach ; and she assures me that she 
 regarded it "as a most valuable table-vegetable." It is highly 
 important that the value of purslane should be made known, for, 
 in many parts where the usual garden- vegetables cannot be pro- 
 cured, it might be employed with much advantage as an anti- 
 scorbutic. I have not found in this neighbourhood any other 
 species of the genus, nor do I believe that any such exist here ; 
 but not long since, I collected at the North Eocks near Parra- 
 matta, a specimen of a Calandrinia, which my learned friend Dr. 
 F. Mueller recognises as C. calyptrata. The leaves of this are 
 fleshy and succulent, but as the plant is small and of rare oc- 
 currence, it cannot be regarded as available for the same pur- 
 poses as the purslane. 
 
 The " Fat Hen" alluded to is Chenopodium erosum, and 
 as an esculent vegetable,^ it seems to be better known to the 
 colonists than the purslane. In Europe, some plants of the 
 allied genus Atriplex have been cultivated as pot-herbs, es- 
 pecially A. Jiortensis, which by the way, seems much better 
 adapted to our climate than the true Spinach, {Spinacia oleracea.) 
 At Ash Island, A. patidam and A. cinereum occur, and on the 
 banks of the Darling, Sir T. Mitchell discovered Ai halimoides. 
 This genus is nearly allied to the " salt bush" of the colonists 
 {Bhagodia Jiastata), of which I collected B. Billardiera also on 
 Ash Island. Some of the Chenopods have been introduced here, 
 such as C. murale and C. amhrosioides, and they are becoming 
 troublesome weeds, but C. Australe (which seems to be a mere 
 variety of C. maritimiini)^ and Salicornia indica possess useful 
 qualities ; the former being adapted for the same purposes as 
 purslane, and the latter containing Barilla, and also being a sub- 
 stitute for samphire when pickled. I have frequently used C. 
 Australe for pickle, and have found it far from contemptible. 
 The other species of the genus common here is C. triangulare, 
 the utricle of w^hich is of a reddish colour when ripe, and con- 
 
26 PLORA OF AUSTRALIA. 
 
 tains one small black seed. I fancy that tlie leaves of tliis plant 
 must contain properties similar to Salicorma, for after having 
 chewed them, a person experiences an unpleasant sensation in 
 the throat, probably occasioned by the alkali they contain. 
 
 The plant called " New Zealand Spinach," though perhaps 
 somewhat inappropriately, is indigenous in Eastern Australia, as 
 well as in New Zealand. It is known to botanists as Tetragonia 
 expansa, and a few years since was rather a favourite with Eng- 
 lish gardeners, being regarded by them as a substitute for the 
 true spinach, which is a dioecious plant of the Chenopod family, 
 and rather troublesome to gardeners. Captain Cook is said to 
 have used the New Zealand spinach and to have had it served 
 out to the sailors every day, at breakfast and dinner. It w^as in- 
 troduced into England by Sir Joseph Banks in 1772, and Don 
 mentions that during the whole summer of 1821, no other spinach 
 was used in the Earl of Essex's family at Cashiobury. This veg- 
 etable is no doubt antiscorbutic, and, therefore, it should be en- 
 couraged in all places where people are compelled to eat much 
 salt meat. In addition to the plants enumerated by late ob- 
 servers, I w^ould add some species of the Amarantus family, two 
 of which {A. Blitum and A. oleraceus) have been introduced into 
 the colony, and are sometimes regarded as troublesome weeds. 
 The leaves of the latter have been much used in India. Both of 
 these plants are instanced in the Pharmacopoeia as "pot herbs," 
 and I have been assured by a person who has frequently used A. 
 oleraceits, that the leaves when boiled, are by no means to be 
 despised irl (ftry seasons. Many plants of the Amarantus family 
 are described by Brown as indigenous in Australia, but in this 
 part of the colony, I do not think that more than three occur, 
 viz., Deeringia celosioides (the bitter and acrid leaves of which are 
 used against the measles in Java) ; Nyssanthes media (a trouble- 
 some plant with spinescent bracts) ; and Altenanihera denticidata, 
 which grows in ditches, or on the banks of creeks. None of 
 these plants are of any utility as esculents, but in some parts of 
 Eastern Australia there are a few cruciferous vegetables which 
 are valuable whenever they can be procured, as the crucifercB 
 generally " contain azote or nitrogen in their composition, and, 
 therefore, easily putrefy, and furnish volatile alkali by distil- 
 lation." They are decidedly antiscorbutic before they are dried. 
 
INDIGENOUS VEGETABLES. 27 
 
 and, therefore, one cannot but regret that they are not more 
 abundant in Australia. I do not recollect that Sir Thomas Mit- 
 chell used any plant of this family in any of his expeditions ; 
 and Dr. F. Mueller seems to have noticed only three in North- 
 Eastern Australia, whilst in his recent work on the Victorian 
 plants he remarks — " Gruciferce, with the exception of Cardamine 
 hirsufa,Sire totally wanting in the whole botanically-known portions 
 of tropical Australia, even in the Northern desert interior, not- 
 withstanding their slightly augmented number in the Southern 
 desert ; otherwise they are also comparatively scarce, as well in 
 extratropical Australia as in Tasmania and New Zealand, even in 
 alpine situations." The cruciferous plants of New South Wales 
 which appear to have been introduced are Sisymlrmm officinale, 
 a Sinapis, a BapTianus, Capsella or the shepherd's purse, and 
 Senehiera didyma — a species of swine or wart cress which is some- 
 times eaten. Those which are indigene as are two species of 
 Leptidium, and two of Cardamine, viz., C. stylosa and G. tenuifolia, 
 the latter of which resembles the garden cress in flavour, but it 
 is far too rare to be of any utility. G. stylosa is a much larger 
 plant, and grows in wild places about the North Eocks. The 
 water-cresses Gardamine liirsuta and Nasturtium terrestre do not 
 occur in the immediate neighbourhood of Parramatta. 
 
 The subject at which I have glanced is one of great practical 
 utility, for it concerns not only the systematic botanist, who is 
 seeking everywhere for novelties to which he may give " a local 
 habitation and a name," but it is of infinite importance to every 
 one who may be engaged in traversing the wilds of Ametralia ; for 
 a competent knowledge of indigenous plants suitable for food, 
 may not merely prevent the appearance of scurvy, but in some 
 instances it may preserve life itself. This is a country which 
 certainly does not abound in esculent fruits and vegetables, and 
 there may be tracts where nothing better than the miserable 
 nardoo (Marsilea) which for a time supported the unfortunate 
 Burke and Wills, can be procured ; but nevertheless there are 
 persons who reside in the midst of plants which might be substi- 
 tuted for garden vegetables, and yet for the want of a little in- 
 formation, they never turn them to any practical account. 
 
28 FLORA OF AUSTRALIA. 
 
 POISONOUS HONEY 
 
 [The following paper was intended as a reply to an article hy Dr. 
 Bell, ivho supposed that a hoy at Borrogorang had been poisoned hy 
 eating a quantity of honey. ~\ 
 
 T HA YE read with much interest the elaborate paper on 
 "Poisonous Honey," which Dr.. Bell very modestly entitles 
 " A few words about honey," and although I am disposed to con- 
 cur in many of the statements contained in that communication, 
 yet I am scarcely prepared to believe that we have sufficient 
 evidence before us to prove the existence of poisonous honey in 
 Australia. The, solitary case to which the doctor refers may 
 perhaps have arisen from the fact of the boy having eaten " a 
 considerable quantity" of honey ; or probably it may have arisen 
 from some idiosyncrasy in his constitution, as it is stated on high 
 authority that some persons cannot eat honey, or even drink 
 mead without experiencing serious, nay, sometimes fatal effects. 
 Kirby and Spence particularly mention the case of a lady, upon 
 whom honey acted " like poison," and they affirm that some 
 persons of particular habits and constitution have died from the 
 effects of it. Until, therefore, there has been a chemical analysis 
 of the honey in question, and it has been clearly shown that it 
 possesses deleterious properties, I shall be inclined to think that 
 either the boy must have over-eaten himself, and thus brought on 
 gastric fever, or that there is something in his constitution which 
 predisposes him to attacks of this kind. At the same time, how- 
 ever, the subject is one of a very important character, and should 
 any further cases arise from eating the honey of his neighbour, 
 hood, it will be most interesting to ascertain " the nature of the 
 shrubs or plants from which the honey was produced." As far 
 as I am able to discover, we have not in Australia any indigen- 
 ous plants which are calculated to produce effects similar to 
 those described by Dr. Bell. The genera Azalea, Kalmia, Rho- 
 dodendron, and Andromeda, which, it is supposed, give the poison- 
 ous quality to honey in the neighbourhood of Trebizond on the 
 
POISONOUS HONEY. 29 
 
 Black Sea, and other parts of the world, do not grow here, nor 
 have we the poison-ash (BJms verniaf), which, in America, has 
 sometimes occasioned the death of whole swarms of bees, simply 
 from the circumstance of their having alighted on its branches. 
 Cicuta, Angelica, and Scandix do not flourish in the mlds of Aus- 
 tralia ; and, even supposing that they did, it is very doubtful 
 whether bees would collect honey from them, for it is a fact well 
 known to entomologists that bees neglect certain flowers on ac- 
 count of the poisonous quality of their honey. This is par- 
 ticularly the case with the crown imperial {Fritillaria imperialis) 
 and the oleander {Nerium Oleander), both of which are avoided 
 by bees, though it is believed thousands of flies perish from in- 
 cautiously partaking of the secretions of the latter. The natural 
 family JEricaceoe, which contains the genera so injurious to honey, 
 is almost unrepresented in Australia, whilst the place is supplied 
 by the Epacridaceoe, a family of plants not possessing any noxious 
 qualities, but afl'ording a rich supply of honey. This family, to- 
 gether with many species of myrtaceous and leguminous plants, 
 seems to be much in favour with bees, and therefore, excepting in 
 seasons of extreme scarcity from drought or other causes, I find 
 a difiiculty in believing that any of the' bees, so wise and cautious 
 as they are known to be, would so far lose their natural instinct 
 as to gather honey from plants which are not merely injurious 
 to man, but probably destructive to the bees themselves There 
 is, indeed, one plant which has been introduced amongst us, and 
 is spreading very much in the cultivated parts of the colony, viz.. 
 Datura stramonium, which is decidedly poisonous in its nature, 
 and moreover, it is placed by Dr. Barton amongst the plants 
 which in some parts of America are supposed to impart poison- 
 ous qualities to the honey. 
 
 The remarkable case of poisoning from honey, to which Dr. 
 Bell has referred, is mentioned in the 4th book of Xenophon's 
 Anabasis, chapter 8, and I will quote the passage entire : — " After 
 the Grreeks had gained the ascent, they encamped in many villages 
 full of all sorts of provisions. Here they found nothing else 
 worthy of their admiration ; but there being great quantities of 
 beehives in those villages, all the soldiers who ate of the honey- 
 combs lost their senses, and were seized with a vomiting and 
 purging, none of them being able to stand upon their legs. Those 
 
80 FLOEA OF AIJSTEALIA. 
 
 who ate but little were like men very drunk, and those who ate 
 much, like madmen, and some like dying persons. In this con- 
 dition, great numbers lay on the ground as if there had been a 
 defeat, and the sorrow was general. The next day, none of them 
 died, but recovered their senses about the same hour they were 
 seized ; and the third and fourth day they got up as if they had 
 taken physic." This is certainly an ancient case of poisoning, 
 but we are assured on the testimony of modern travellers, that 
 the poisonous effects of the honey on the southern shores of the 
 Black Sea still remain, and not many years since (viz., in 1834), 
 Keith E. Abbott, Esq., forwarded a specimen of the honey in 
 question from Trebizond to the Zoological Society, " which honey 
 was still found to retain its deleterious properties." The bad 
 effects of this honey are said by the Eussian traveller, Pallas, to 
 arise from Azalea pontica. He says, " that the effects of the 
 Euxine honey are like those of Lolium temulentum, and occur in 
 a country where no Bhododendron grows. The natives are well 
 aware of the deleterious qualities of the plant, and it is related 
 that goats which browse on the leaves, before the pastures are 
 green, suffer in consequence, and moreover, that cattle and sheep 
 perish." In addition to the suspected genera of the heath family 
 (none of which, however, are indigenous here), there are some 
 other plants that both ancient and modern writers regard as 
 detrimental to honey. Virgil, who in the management of bees is 
 a great authority, sings of the Taxus as a tree to be avoided. 
 Whether the poet means yew or the box (Buxus semper vir ens), is 
 a point not agreed upon amongst commentators, but in either 
 case I do not see that we have anything to fear from this source 
 in Australia, as there is no indigenous tree resembling them in 
 properties. The nearest approach to the yew is our JPodocarpus ; 
 but the only species of that genus with which I am acquainted is 
 perfectly innocent, the berries being eatable, though somewhat 
 insipid. By modern botanists the leaves of the yew are said to 
 be poisonous to horses and cows, whilst Caesar assures us that 
 King Cativolus killed himself by the Taxus. The berries, how- 
 ever, are not poisonous, and turkeys, peacocks, and other poultry 
 and birds eat bbth the leaves and the fruit. A few of the berries 
 are not deleterious to the human species, but the leaves are fatal. 
 If by the Taxus, the box is intended, there can be no doubt re- 
 
poisoifoiis ho]s':et. 31 
 
 specting the injurious effects of that plant, as none of our animals 
 appear to browse on it ; and many writers regard it as the cause 
 of the bad qualities attributed to the Corsican honey. To the 
 Taxus, the Gicuta is also added ; but whether that term indicates 
 the cowbane (C. virosa) of modern times, it is difficult to de- 
 termine. "Whilst the ancients condemn the honey of some 
 countries as being of an inferior kind, they extol that of others 
 with the highest praise, particularly of Hymettus in Attica, a place 
 still famous for the excellence of its honey, and Hybla, a mountain 
 in Sicily. Of the latter place, Hogg, in his learned account of 
 classical plants in Sicily, makes especial mention under the family 
 called Labiates. Bees, he says, delight in these species, and to 
 them may be attributed the celebrity of the Hyblean honey. 
 Even at the present day, sages, thymes, germanders, mints, and 
 other aromatic herbs cover the calcareous range of Mount Hybla ; 
 and from their flowers, the wild buzzing bee still extracts most 
 delicious honey, as in the time of Theocritus, and honey is exported 
 from Syracuse. The Labiate family* is not a very numerous 
 one in New South Wales, and with the exception of the wild 
 pennyroyal, or Mentha, I do not know of any indigenous plant 
 which can be regarded as representing in any degree the sweet 
 scented Labiates of Mount Hybla. This little plant, when bruised, 
 is very fragrant, and possesses medicinal properties, being used 
 by country people as a tonic. 
 
 * The Labiates of this part are not numerous nor important. With the 
 exception of two which have been introduced, viz.. Stadias arvensis and Mar- 
 rubliim vulgare I have noticed only the following: — Lycopus Australis, West- 
 riyigia roamarinifoUa (near the coast), Westringia longifolia (George's River), 
 Hemiqenia purpurea (near the coast), Ajuga Australis, Teucrium corymbosum 
 (rare), Mentha satureoides, Plectranthus Australis, Prunella vulgaris, 
 Scutellaria humilis, Scutellaria mollis (rare), Prostanthera marifolia (near 
 the coast). 
 
 It would be advisable for persons keeping bees to cultivate somewhat ex- 
 tensively the Labiates, which are found so beneficial to honey in Europe, nor 
 should they despise the species of our Tea-trees {Melaleuca, Leptospermum, 
 Callistemon, &c.) for great quantities of honey may be procured Irom them at 
 certain seasons. Let such persons, however, beware of the showy species of 
 heathworts, and not cultivate many near their hives ; and, I may add, let 
 thejn destroy the thorn-apple {Datura stramonium) and Nicandra physaloides 
 (a plant sometimes mistaken for the Cape gooseberry), wherever they spring 
 up. Amongst the bush flowers which, perhaps, may be suspected, there are 
 probably some species of Qompholobium and Gastrolobium, but hitberto, as 
 far as the experience of the colonists has extended, the injurious effects of 
 these plants are confined to Western and North Eastern Australia. 
 
32 FLORA OF ALSTiiALlA. 
 
 I thiuk, from the facts already adverted to, that some places 
 are much more favourable for the propagation of bees than others, 
 and that the good or bad qualities of the honey are to be attributed 
 to the flora of the country where it is procured. The natural 
 family of the Labiates presents us with some of the species best 
 adapted for bees, but as I have before observed, New South 
 Wales affords many plants suitable for the same purpose, though 
 not so fragrant as the flora of Mount Hybla ; and it may be re- 
 marked that whilst in many parts of Europe there is not a flower 
 to be seen during the dreary months of winter, this colony is never 
 without its flowering shrubs. Nor, indeed, can I believe that 
 there are many native shrubs injufious to bees, or calculated to 
 impart a poisonous quality to their honey. And it is this con- 
 sideration which induces me to hesitate in receiving too credulously 
 the statement respecting the honey of Borrogorang. Further in- 
 vestigation may lead me to alter my opinion, especially if it should 
 appear that other cases, similar to the one reported by Dr. Bell, 
 have occurred ; but for the present, I am inclined to believe that 
 a flora singularly deficient as ours is in the genera which are sup- 
 posed to have done so much mischief in other parts of the world, 
 is not likely to impregnate the honey of the colony with any 
 poisonous qualities. 
 
 Besides Corsica and the southern shores of the Black Sea, 
 some parts of America are instanced as producing deleterious 
 honey. A remarkable proof of this is given by Dr. Barton, in the 
 fifth volume of " The American Philosophical Transactions." In 
 the autumn and winter of the year 1790, an extensive mortality 
 was produced amongst those who had partaken of the honey col- 
 lected in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia. The attention of 
 the American Government was excited by the general distress ; 
 a minute inquiry into the cause of the mortality ensued, and it 
 was satisfactorily ascertained that the honey had been chiefly ex- 
 tracted from the flowers of Kalmia latifolia of the family Eri- 
 caceae. AVith respect to the honey found in a wild state by the 
 hunters in South Carolina, Georgia, and the two Floridas, but 
 more especially East Florida, it has been generally considered 
 that it is sometimes rendered noxious by two species of Kalmia 
 and Andromeda moriana, but it appears that even in the parts 
 w^here these flowers are most abundant, . the honey is only par- 
 
POISONOUS HONEY. 33' 
 
 tially affected. Its poisonous character cannot be ascertained 
 either by the appearance of the honey or by its taste, and it is 
 experience only that determines the point. The hunters, we are 
 told, first use it in small quantities, and if no unfavourable symp- 
 toms occur, they eat it as they would any other honey. Dr. 
 Mason Good, in referring to that which is deleterious, says that 
 at first it occasions a dimness of sight or vertigo, succeeded by 
 a delirium, which is sometimes mild and pleasant, and sometimes 
 ferocious ; ebriety, pain in the stomach and intestines, convul- 
 sions, profuse perspiration, foaming at the mouth, vomiting and 
 purging, and in a few instances death. In some persons a vomit- 
 ing is the first effect. Sometimes the honey has been observed to 
 produce a temporary palsy of the limbs, an efi'ect which we have 
 remarked in animals that have eaten of one of those very vege- 
 tables from whose flowers the bees obtain a pernicious honey. It 
 is, however, very seldom fatal, the disorders it occasions generally 
 working their own cure, either by occasioning vomiting, purging, 
 or profuse perspiration, the two former of which relieve the pain 
 in the intestines, and the latter, the fever. 
 
 In comparing the account furnished by American writers with 
 the short but graphic description given by Xenophon in his Ana- 
 basis, it would seem that the honey on the shores of the Black 
 Sea is very similar to that occasionally found in America. And 
 it is somewhat remarkable that the evil appears the result of the 
 same cause, viz., the prevalence of flowers belonging to certain 
 genera of the same natural family While, therefore, some 
 natural families are decidedly favourable, as we have seen in the 
 influence exerted by the labiates in Mount Hybla, and I might add 
 Narbonne, where Rosemary {Rosmarinus officinalis) is said to im- 
 part a delicious flavour to the honey, there are others which con- 
 tain species that render honey not only unpalatable, but poison- 
 ous. Virgil, we have seen, denounces the Taxus, but I can 
 scarcely think the Yew can be intended, as in many parts of 
 England where Yew trees abound, poisonous honey is unknown. 
 
 Before I conclude these brief, and I fear unsatisfactory re- 
 marks, I must express my thanks to Dr. Bell for having called 
 my attention to a very interesting subject, and I trust that his 
 instructive papers may be the means of inducing many persons 
 to study more attentively than hitherto the habits of bees, and 
 
 E 
 
34j . FLOEA OF ATI STK ALIA. 
 
 tlie influence whicli certain species of flowers exercise upon 
 them. With his concluding remarks I perfectly agree, and it is 
 to be hoped that future poets may be able to say of the Aus- 
 tralian honey what Horace does of that found near his beloved 
 Galesus, 
 
 *' Hie terrarum mihi prseter omnes 
 " Angulus ridet ; uhi non Hymetto 
 " Mella decedunt Sfc. 
 
 [TJie paper of which the following outline appeared in the Gar- 
 dener s Chronicle, contained a popular account of the plants flourish- 
 ing in the neighbourhood of Sydney. I regret that I am unable to 
 publish it in full, as owing to some negligence on the part of a friend 
 in London, the paper was mislaid or lost.'] 
 
 THE BOTANY OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 (^Gardeners Chronicle, March IQth, 1860) 
 
 T INNEAN : Pebruary 21. — Professor Bell, president, in the 
 chair. Certain alterations of the by-laws proposed by the 
 Council were put to the vote, and confirmed by the fellows at 
 large in the terms of the charter. A. W. Crichton, Esq., H. T. 
 Knowles Kempton, Esq., Captain A. F. Lendy, D. Moore, Esq., 
 and C. K. Ord, Esq., M.D., were elected fellows, and Mr. "W. 
 Laughrin, an associate of the Society. The following papers 
 were read: — 1. Extracts from letters addressed to Sir W. J. 
 Hooker, by Mr. Gustavo Mann, describing his second ascent of 
 Clarence Peak, Pernando Po. 2. " Glance at the Botany of the 
 North Shore near Sydney," by "William Woolls, Esq., com- 
 municated by the librarian. This was a popular sketch of the 
 native vegetation of the neighbourhood of Sydney. Among 
 other striking plants, the author mentioned Boronia serrulata, or 
 native rose, as the most admired species of the family, and re- 
 marked that there were spots between the North Shore and 
 Manly Beach, which at certain seasons of the year were so en^ 
 
KOETH SHOEE. 35 
 
 livened by the profusion of these plants, as to suggest the idea of 
 a cultivated garden rather than a wild bush, while little inferior 
 to this, were the species B. pinnata, ledifolia, and polygalifoliaj 
 which by their pink and red flowers relieve the sombre appear- 
 ance of the dark evergreens around them. On the creeks to the 
 north of Parramatta, Eriostemon salicifolius was stated to occur 
 abundantly, and on the banks of the Nepean, E. myoporoides to 
 grow plentifully ; this last having so powerful a scent as to be al- 
 most overpowering in a room. The species of Coi'rcea found 
 were alha, virens, and speciosa, the two last, from some resemblance 
 of aspect, being sometimes called native fuchsias. The Epacri- 
 dacesB were mentioned as being very numerous, and of peculiar 
 interest as being members of an order almost exclusively Aus- 
 tralian or Polynesian. The crimson nodding flowers of Styphelia 
 tubiflora^ and the scarlet and white ones of Epacris grandiflora, 
 are very attractive ; nor must the Leucopogon Bichei be forgotten, 
 for its berries are said to have preserved the life of the Prench 
 naturalist Eiche, who was lost for three days on the south coast 
 of New Holland. About twenty species of Acacia, a genus com- 
 mon in Australia, occur in this locality. The bark of these 
 plants is astringent, and a great quantity of it is used in tanning ;. 
 it is also sometimes employed medicinally as a remedy for dy- 
 sentery, whilst the wood of A. melanoxylon is much esteemed by 
 the cabinet maker, being hard, dark in colour and finely veined. 
 The most important order in the colony was said to be the 
 Myrtacecd ; nearly all the trees of the forest belonging to it, and 
 also many beautiful shrubs. Some of the Leptospermums have 
 very much the appearance of the English hawthorn. After thus 
 sketching the various groups of phaenogamous plants and ferns^ 
 Mr. WooUs referred to the unfavorable conditions of the climate 
 for the growth of mosses, " but even here," he observes " under 
 certain conditions they are sure to spring up. Whenever a tree 
 in the bush has been burned, Funaria hygrometrica is sure to ap- 
 pear if there is sufficient moisture in the soil ; and wherever in 
 damp and shady places cow manure has begun to decay, SplacJi- 
 nmn angustah^n almost invariably appears. Again on the cindery 
 path, the minute Br yum argenteum delights to grow, whilst the 
 same moss in company with another of diminutive size, Gymnos- 
 tomum ovatum, may be noticed on the bark or shingles of cottages 
 
36 FLOEA OF ATJSTEALIA. 
 
 in large patches. In the same manner, on the top"of walls or be- 
 tween the bricks of houses when the mortar is getting somewhat 
 decomposed, Tortula muralis sends forth its hair-tipped leaves. 
 Dicranum flexuosum comes up iq low wet ground, and as it dies 
 away before the approaching summer, leaves dark and discoloured 
 patches here and there between the grasses ; and D. hryoides^ 
 which cheered the celebrated African traveller in his despondency, 
 comes on the moist dripping banks of our creeks." 3. " Cata- 
 logue of the Dipterous Insects collected by Mr. E. Wallace, at 
 Gilolo, Ternate and Ceram," by F. Walker, Esq. 4. " Description 
 of a (supposed) new Annelid," by Dr. Hart Vinen. 
 
 AUSTEALIAN FERNS. 
 
 P 
 
 EEHAPS there is no order of the vegetable kingdom which 
 has more attractions for the general observer than that of 
 Perns. The extreme elegance and extraordinary diversity of 
 their forms, as well as the facility with which many species .can 
 bs procured and dried, tend to make the study of Ferns highly 
 popular, and to induce even persons who have but little idea of 
 classification, to collect specimens for amusement. As these 
 plants are found in various localities, sometimes for instance on 
 the banks of our creeks or on the margins of marshes, and some- 
 times in the dense forest or on the Alpiae height, there is scarcely 
 any part of our coast in which some species do not occur. The 
 wide geographical distribution of Ferns, therefore, is well calcu- 
 lated to promote the study of this interesting order, for although 
 some of the rare species have a very limited range, and are found 
 only by those who search diligently for them, yet mauy of the 
 common forms around us present interesting subjects for inquiry, 
 and gradually lead to the elucidation of species less known. 
 But whilst alluding to what maybe deen^d ". common forms," it 
 must be recollected that species which are plentiful in one place, 
 
AtTSTEALIAlT FERNS, 37 
 
 are probably rare or unknown in another ; so that persons re- 
 siding in different parts of tbe Australian colonies may derive 
 mucb information by exchanging the specimens of one district 
 for those of another. By comparing such specimens they will be 
 induced to take an extended view of the order, and avoid some of 
 the errors into which they might fall from a limited consideration 
 of the subject, particularly the unnecessary multiplication of 
 species, and inaccuracy arising from inattention to local pecu- 
 liarities. ISir William Hooker remarks, " that there is perhaps 
 no family of plants where more false species have been made than 
 among Ferns" ; and hence that distinguished writer has rendered 
 incalculable service to the cause of scifence by proving the identity 
 of many so-called species found in portions of the globe remote 
 from each other, and by reducing the number of genera wherever 
 practicable. In reviewing the descriptions of our Australian 
 Ferns, as given in the Species Filicum, it is highly probable that 
 many of our pteridophilists may be disposed to question the con- 
 clusions of the venerable author, especially in the consideration 
 of those species with which he seemed but imperfectly acquainted ; 
 but whether the views of Sir William are received or not, it must 
 be admitted that he possessed more favourable opportunities for 
 comparing specimens from all parts of the world, and of 
 ascertaining the distribution of species, than perhaps any botanist 
 now living. If the comparison of specimens from different dis- 
 tricts in the same country is calculated to prevent mistakes, and 
 to show the identity of species previously supposed to be distinct, 
 the advantages arising from the examination of Eerns from all 
 parts of the world, are manifestly of still greater importance. 
 We have seen, in the volumes of the Flora Australlensis, already 
 published, the great utility of comparing specimens from all parts 
 of the same continent, for by so doing, the learned authors have 
 not merely demonstrated the identity of many so-called species, 
 but they have shown the probability of even more extensive 
 amalgamation, by finding, as it were, the connecting links between 
 forms apparently of different origin. Sir William Hooker has 
 rendered a similar service to cryptogamlc botany, and he remarks 
 that the further his investigation proceeded, the more he was 
 convinced, that the system of curtailment ought to be, and will 
 be, carried to a still greater length. The great difficulty in the 
 
38 A CONTEIBUTIOIf TO, ETC. 
 
 systematic arrangement of Eerns according to their species, arises 
 principally from their highly varied forms ; so that in many in- 
 stances, it is almost impossible to determine a true species from a 
 mere variety. In some of our genera, for instance such as Doodia, 
 Blechnum, and Lomaria, it seems highly probable that, when the 
 vast amount of variation to which species are liable is better un- 
 derstood, the principles laid down by Sir William Hooker will 
 lead to further innovations. Many years ago, the celebrated 
 Eobert Brown called especial attention to the position of the 
 sori, or the collections of sporangia, on the veins of Ferns, and 
 this subject was subsequently followed up by J. Smith, A.L.S., 
 in some able papers read before the Linnean Society, in 1840, in 
 w^hich it was shown that the different forms of venation afford, in 
 conjunction with the position of the sori, very important characters 
 for arranging extensive genera. Smith applied his principles in 
 the first instance to the genus Polypodium, and although Hooker 
 regards him as one of those botanists who has addicted himself 
 too much to the multiplication of genera, yet he (Sir William) 
 gratefully acknowledges the benefits which have resulted from 
 these close and accurate investigations ; and in his arrangement 
 of the genus referred to, he adopts the very natural system of 
 grouping the species according to their venation. Thus, for 
 instance, instead of regarding our Folypodiuon rupestre, and P. 
 tenellum, as species of two difterent genera {Niplwholus rujpestre, 
 and Arthropteris tenelld), he simply places them in sections ac- 
 cording to the character of their veins. The system of making 
 large genera with appropriate subdivisions is, as Dr. P. Mueller 
 has remarked, not merely philosophical, but also highly useful to 
 the memory. Nor, indeed, is it without its importance in reference 
 to the variation of species, for when it is found that forms some- 
 what difterent in appearance, agree exactly in the ramifications 
 of the veins and the position of the sori, there may be reason to 
 believe that the multiplication of species in such cases is un- 
 necessary. The attentive consideration of the venation also may 
 be useful when we are not so fortunate as to meet with specimens 
 of some Ferns in a state of fructification ; for there are different 
 plants closely resembling each other in habit and outline, which 
 are widely separated by the shape of the veins, some probably 
 having them forked, and others, reticulated. Under any circum- 
 
AUSTEALIAN FEENS 69 
 
 stances, we should pay attention to the venation, for not merely 
 barren fronds but sometimes those which have been in a state of 
 fructification and lost their indusium, are difficult to determine. 
 The absence of an indusium being one of the principal characters of 
 the genus JPolypodium, it sometimes happens that species are re- 
 ferred to that genus simply from the want of an organ which has 
 disappeared. Sir William Hooker felt peculiar difficulty in deal- 
 ing with the species P. rugosuluon, and perhaps he may have 
 included some species of Cheilanthes or Hypolepis under that name 
 from the impossibility of discovering any trace of an involucre in 
 certain stages of the plant's growth. Again, in describing the 
 Pern which he refers to Polypodium (P. Bechleri), a doubt is ex- 
 pressed as to the possibility of some mistake iii the genus, for 
 from the specimens forwarded to Europe, it was uncertain whether 
 the species had any indusium or not. (This Fern is now referred 
 by Dr. Mueller to Aspidium obliteratum) . In the various forms 
 also which are grouped together under Nephrodium decompositum, 
 (which according to Sir W. Hooker, comprises N. onicrosorum, of 
 '^oxioW.'L^lsbndi, Lastrea acuminata, N. glahellvm, (All. Cunn.), and 
 I suppose Brown's N. tenerwvi), a similar doubt may arise, unless 
 due attention be paid to the position of the sori on the veinlets, 
 and the existence of an indusium, which, in the specimens from 
 some localities, it is difficult to find. Dr. Hooker has remarked 
 that N. decompositum is a very variable species, and, as far as my 
 limited observation has extended, I should fully concur in the 
 opinion, for I have frequently collected fronds on which no trace 
 of an indusium appeared, and which differed very much from the 
 type of the species in the texture of the frond and the comparative 
 size of the sori. The venation, however, is much more uniform, 
 and this circumstance probably led to the conclusion that many 
 varying forms might conveniently be referred to the same species. 
 In a new country, in which many parts remain to be explored, 
 there may exist forms which hereafter will unite some species 
 now deemed distinct ; and, on the other hand, reasons may arise 
 for separating Ferns which are now placed together. It has 
 been remarked by a late writer on British Ferns — " In some few 
 cases, even among our British Ferns, it is hardly possible to 
 decide whether a plant should be regarded as a species or a 
 variety, while their classification cannot be considered as even 
 
40 A CONTBIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 yet fully settled." If this be tlie case with species which have 
 been examined again and again by the most distinguished botanists, 
 it cannot excite surprise to find that great differences of opinion 
 exist as to the proper position of some Australian Ferns, especially 
 as many species are yet but imperfectly known, and the great 
 majority of them have been seen only in a dried state by European 
 botanists. In instituting a comparison between British and 
 Australian Ferns, one cannot fail to notice the different proportion 
 they bear to the flowering plants in each country ; for whilst in 
 England the proportion is reckoned at one to thirty-five, and in 
 Scotland one to thirty-one, in Australia, the proportion, according 
 to Brown, was one in thirty-seven' * The proportion however, 
 is now known to be much less, yet, while the native species in 
 England, are between forty and fifty only, an equal amount of 
 species might be collected in the counties of Cumberland and 
 Camden, in this colony. But the most striking difference between 
 British and Australian Ferns is in the arborescent habit of some 
 of the latter. In England there is scarcely any species which, 
 in its ordinary state, attains more than six feet in height, whilst 
 in Australia one species of Alsophila rises to the height of sixty 
 feet. 
 
 Colonel Mundy, in alluding to some of our tree ferns, says, — 
 " One might almost fancy that the tall and dense forests around 
 it had drawn up the well-known shrub, or rather weed, of our 
 English deer-parks into a higher order of the vegetable family. 
 When I left England, some of my friends were fern-mad, and 
 nursing little microscopic varieties with vast anxiety and ex- 
 pense. "Would that I could place them for a minute beneath the 
 patulous umbrella of this magnificent species of Cryptogamia!" 
 Colonel Mundy does not appear to have seen the largest species 
 of tree ferns ; but the difference between the common English 
 brake and even the ordinary forms of Alsophila or Dicksonia, is 
 very striking to a traveller, and cannot but suggest to his mind 
 the comparative insignificance of English ferns. With respect 
 to the species common to both countries, it is interesting to no- 
 tice that Oymnogramme leptopliylla, Hymenophyllum Tunhridgense^ 
 S. Wilsonij and Aspleniwn Trichomanes, flourish in Australia as 
 
 * Note. — Dr. Mueller computes the flowering plants at about 10,000 species 
 and the ferns at 170. 
 
AUSTEALIAN FEENS. 41 
 
 well as in Europe ; whilst Sir W. Hooker has recently demon- 
 strated the identity of our Pteris esculenta, and Aspidium proli- 
 ferwm^ with Pteris aquilina, and Aspidium aculeatum. It seems 
 probable that as our knowledge progresses, and opportunities 
 present themselves for comparing cultivated ferns from different 
 parts of the world, we shall arrive at the conclusion that other 
 species are identical, although in their wild state, owing to the in- 
 fluence of soil and climate, they assume forms so different that, in 
 the present state of science, they must necessarily be ranged as 
 distinct species. And this, no doubt, has been the case in the 
 vegetable kingdom generally, and seems in a great degree to have 
 contributed to the loose and inaccurate manner in which Some 
 persons speak of species, just as if, in a long course of time, 
 species and even genera have become mingled together, and that 
 the fruit tree, which was created only " to yield fruit after his 
 kind," may so deviate from the original type as to be no longer 
 referable to the same place in the vegetable kingdom to which it 
 was destined by the Creator. It would certainly remove many 
 difficulties from the philosophic mind if we could believe that the 
 true theory had been discovered, whereby " a multitude of geo- 
 logical facts otherwise unaccounted for" might be satisfactorily 
 explained ; and whereby it could be demonstrated that the 
 varieties of the human family not merely sprang from one single 
 pair, as Eevelation assures us, but that " the long-continued in- 
 fluence of external circumstances gave rise to peculiarities in- 
 creased in many successive generations, and at length fixed them 
 by hereditary transmission." But alas ! so far as the vegetable 
 kingdom is concerned, the hypothesis that " any species is ca- 
 pable of varying indefinitely from its original type," is flatly 
 contradicted by the experience of many generations, during which 
 no material change has been made in the characters and forms 
 of species. Dr. Hooker, in his Introductory Essay to the Flora 
 of Australia, " contends that species are neither visionary, nor 
 even arbitrary creations of the naturalist, but realities, though 
 they may not remain true for ever." He then candidly adds 
 that " the majority of them are so far constant within the range 
 of our experience, and their forms and characters so faithfully 
 handed down, through thousands of generations, that they admit 
 of being treated as if they were permanent and immutable," 
 
42 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 Such being the case, therefore, I am led to a conclusion rather 
 different from that which is arrived at by the eminent writers to 
 whom I have alluded ; and I cannot express my own ideas on the 
 subject in terms more sound and philosophical than those enun- 
 ciated in Dr. Mueller's elegant preface to his "Vegetation of the 
 Chatham Islands." After stating his conviction that " the num- 
 ber of species has been vastly overrated," he adds, " the writer 
 has never been led to assume that limitation of species is hope- 
 less, or that an uninterrupted chain of gradations absolutely con- 
 nects the forms of the living creation. Analytical dissections, 
 counting by hundreds of thousands, instituted as well on living 
 plants in the field as on the material accumulated in his museum, 
 have never left such impressions on his mind ; but, on the con- 
 trary, convinced him of the great truth that the Supreme Power 
 to which the universe owes its existence called purposely forth 
 those wonderful and specifically ever-unalterable structures of 
 symmetry and perfection — structures in which a transit to other 
 species would destroy the beautiful harmouy of their organization, 
 and would annihilate their power to perform those functions 
 specially allotted to each in this great world from the morn of 
 creation to the end of this epoch. But, be it understood, nature 
 only created species, occasionally, but not permanently oblit- 
 erated in their characters by hybridism. Grenera and orders are 
 merely the strongholds around which we arbitrarily array them 
 to facilitate generalization, to ease the search, and to aid the 
 memory. Hence the limitation of these must depend entirely on 
 the individual view of the observer, and therefore be ever vacil- 
 lating ; but this should not finally be the fate of the species." I 
 have deemed it advisable to refer to the variations of species on 
 the present occasion, because the plants which I am about to no- 
 tice belong to a family that is somewhat protean in its character, 
 and ia which species appear to have been unnecessarily increased. 
 It has been the fault of naturalists sometimes to regard every 
 aberration from the usual type as indicative of specific difference, 
 without duly considering, as Dr. Mueller observes, " the various 
 climatic or geologic circumstances to which a species can pos- 
 sibly be subject." In treating of ferns, this caution seems very 
 important, for the same species sometimes assumes difi'erent 
 forms and shapes, not merely from the influence of soil and cli- 
 
AUSTEALIAN FEENS. 43 
 
 mate, but also from the degree of light or moisture to which they 
 are subjected. Persons who are in the habit of observing ferns 
 in a living state, are well aware of this peculiarity, and they 
 might in some instances collect individuals of the same species so 
 unlike each other, that the systematic botanist in Europe, who 
 judges simply from the specimens before him, might regard them 
 as distinct. Brown's Pteris falcata, now PellcBafalcata, is a plant 
 of this varying character, and probably the cognate fern Adiantum 
 paradoxum, {Pellcea 2oarcidoxa oi looker) is a mere variety of it, 
 for when we can find so many intermediate forms connecting the 
 two together, it seems almost impossible to avoid the conclusion 
 that they should be regarded as the same species. In the course 
 of our investigation, we shall find several parallel cases, so that it 
 may be well to bear in mind, that although " a species comprises 
 all the individual plants which resemble each other sufliciently to 
 make us conclude that they are all, or may have been all, des- 
 cended from a common parent," yet, "individuals may often 
 difier from each other in many striking particulars." 
 
 The order of Filices or Ferns (which Sir W. Hooker justly ob 
 serves are more easily to be recognised than described) consists 
 of flowerless plants, furnished with fronds or leaves which bear on 
 some part of their surface, usually the lower or under one, the 
 spores or seeds by which they are propagated. Althougli ferns 
 have no flowers, they bear great abundance of seed- like bodies, 
 which are contained in sporangia or spore cases. These cases 
 are generally surrounded by an elastic band or ring, which, when 
 they have reached maturity, bursts by an irregular fissure, and 
 the seeds or spores, in the shape of fine dust, are scattered to the 
 winds in countless numbers. The separate masses of the seed 
 cases are termed sori, and that organ which in many genera 
 covers the sori in the earlier stages of growth, is called an in. 
 dusiumov involucre. As many ferns are destitute of this organ, 
 the presence or absence of an indusium aflbrds one of the means 
 of dividing them into groups or sub-orders ; whilst the shape of 
 that organ, combined with its position as to the veins of the frond 
 suggests a natural method of subdividing some of the groups into 
 genera. This is a matter of difiiculty, and Botanists will differ 
 in their system of classification, according to the relative impor- 
 tance which they attach to particular organs : some for instance, 
 
44 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 making tlieir systematic arrangement depend principally on the 
 induaium and tlie ring of tlie sporangium ; whilst others believing 
 that in some species the indusium is very variable, and that too 
 much attention to the obliquity of the»ring must separate the 
 closest allies, rely upon the venation and the rhizoma (or pros- 
 trate rooting stem) as the most valuable points for distinction. 
 "With regard to the latter, it is affirmed by one of the most dis- 
 tinguished Cryptogamic Botanists of the day, that " venation 
 though evidently of great importance, froipi its close connection 
 with the fruit, is too subject to variation to afford incontestable 
 general characters, however valuable it may be in particular in- 
 stances ;" and further, with respect to the different forms of 
 Rhizoma, he " doubts very much whether any particular type 
 of formation attends the rejection or retention of the stipes." 
 When reading such opinions as these, one is almost inclined to 
 join in the humble wish of Cicero, " TJtinam tarn facile possem 
 vera invenire, quam falsa convincere ;'' but the fact is, that al- 
 though no arrangement of sub-orders or genera can as yet be de- 
 vised, which is not exposed to objection, yet as our knowledge 
 advances, many points which are now deemed obscure will be 
 cleared up, and a more extended range of observation will reveal 
 the exact amount of importance which should be attached to 
 each organ. 
 
 The splendid work of Sir William Hooker, when compared 
 with those of previous cryptogamic writers, is a wonderful evi- 
 dence of the progress of science, and displays not merely an im- 
 mense knowledge of species existing in all parts of the globe, but 
 also a profound attention to the characters by which any sound 
 philosophical classification must be regulated. Following in the 
 steps of the illustrious Eobert Brown, to whom the work was 
 originally dedicated (1846), and of whom he says : — " Had he 
 given his master-mind to the complete development of this sub- 
 ject, little would have remained to his successor but to tread 
 closely in his steps," the distinguished author has furnished a 
 systematic arrangement which will not only assist in the classifi- 
 cation of Australian ferns, but those of the whole world. Taking 
 a wise and middle course " between the highly multiplied dis- 
 tinctions of Dr. Presl and Mr. John Smith, and the meagre 
 enumerations of Wildenow, Sprengel, Link, Kunze, and others," 
 
AXJSTEALIAK FERNS. 45 
 
 he distributed the species, so far as they have been ascer- 
 tained, under the following sub-orders, viz., : — (1.) GleicheniacecB ; 
 (2.) FolypodiacecB ; (3.) DavalliecB ; (4.) PteridecB ; (5.) Lo- 
 mariecB ; (6.) Aspleniece ; (7.) Scolapendriece ; (8.) Aspidiacecs ; 
 (9.) Polypodiece ; (10.) Osmundacece. ; and (11.) Ophioglossece. 
 With the exception of one sub-order {Scolopendriece) , which does 
 not appear to be represented by any species in this part of the 
 world, our Australian genera of ferns may be conveniently ar- 
 ranged under the sub-orders enumerated, whilst many additions 
 may be made to the species from the discoveries of recent ex- 
 plorers, the most remarkable of which have lately been noticpd 
 by the indefatigable Dr. F. Mueller, in his excellent " Fragmenta 
 Phytographis6 Australia?." 
 
 Sub-order 1. — Gleicheniacece. 
 In this sub-order the fructification consists of sori, nearly 
 globular in form either concealed by the revolute margins of the 
 fronds, or lying on the under surface without any indusium. 
 The two genera, Platyzoma and Gleichenia, are retained by Sir 
 W. Hooker, as well as by Endlicher, but as the former suggests 
 the propriety of uniting them. Dr. F. Mueller, in his work on the 
 Vegetation of the Chatham Islands, reduces Brown's P. micro- 
 phyllum to G. Plati/zoma. According to this view, therefore, 
 the sub-order will contain onl^ one genus, of which there are 
 four species in Australia, viz., G. Platyzoma, G. microphylla, (of 
 which G. rupestris, and G.spehmcoe, are to be regarded as varieties), 
 G. flahellata and G. Hermanni. (Veg. Chatham Is., p. 63.) 
 Platyzoma is found in Queensland, and in tropical New Holland, 
 and differs from the others in having simple unbranched fronds. 
 The sori are very few, and concealed by the margins of the pinna*, 
 whilst the roots are creeping and throw up a number of crowded, 
 erect, linear fronds. The so-called species Gleichenia speluncce 
 and G. rupestris are common in the neighbourhood of Sydney and 
 other parts of New South AVales, but as they seem to pass into 
 each other, and finally to attain their complete development in 
 G. microphylla^ it seems reasonable to regard them as mere varieties 
 of that species. If we were to form our opinion from dried speci- 
 mens without any reference to the living plants, we might feel 
 disposed to retain many species of this genus which are now 
 united ; but, on the other hand, if we take into consideration the 
 
46 A CONTBIRUTION TO, ETC. , 
 
 surrounding influences of soil, liglit, and moisture, we may be led 
 to conclude that the same plant assumes a different appearance 
 when growing amongst the hard rocks, in the sheltered cave, or 
 on the alluvial bank of some creek. G. microphyUa when attain- 
 ing the height of two feet or more, and spreading its divided 
 fronds in wild profusion in spots favoured by nature with a rich 
 soil and abundant moisture, is one of our most elegant and grace- 
 ful ferns. It loses much of its beauty when dry, but it may be 
 kept verdant for a long time in a vase, if water be applied to it 
 occasionally ; or when tied in bundles and suspended from the 
 ceiling, it may be usefully employed .as a resting place for flies. 
 The extreme variableness of this species has been noticed when 
 under cultivation in Europe, and Berkeley remarks, " I have seen 
 at Kew, the minute pinnules of a Gleiclienia expanded to three 
 times their normal length and breadth, and the margin at the 
 same time unfolded, when placed in a hot damp atmosphere." 
 (Int. to Crypt. Bot., p. 516.) G. jiabellata is an ornamental 
 species, differing from the preceding in having the segments of 
 the fronds linear, and the sori near the middle or the forking of 
 the veinlets : it is also a larger plant, the fronds being divided 
 two or three times, and assuming a somewhat arborescent or 
 palm-like appearance. G. Ilermanni (Brown) or G. dichotoma 
 is chiefly a tropical species, still more divided than the last, the 
 ultimate branches bearing simply forked pinnae, and the segments 
 never decurrent. The last two species are separated from 
 Gleichenia by some authors, and placed in the genus Mertensia (so 
 named in honor of the Trench botanist, F. C. Mertens), but 
 Hooker retains Brown's arrangement, and refers these species 
 to the sub-genera of Gleichenia. This genus was so called in 
 commemoration of Baron P. E. Von Gleichen, a German botanist, 
 and the species to which I have referred have long been under 
 cultivation in England, not only at Kew, but in private nurseries. 
 In the very valuable list of Australian ferns, lately published 
 by Dr. E. Mueller, in the 37th number of his IPragmenta I^hyto- 
 (jraphim Australice, vol. 5, that learned writer extends our Glei- 
 chenioi to six species, uniting G. micropliylla^ G. speluncce, G. 
 riipesfris, G. semivestita, and G. hecistophylla, under the name of 
 G. circinata. In the neighbourhood of Lane Cove, I have found 
 several forms of G. microphyUa, and G. Jiabellata, which lead me 
 
AUSTBALIAN FERNS 47 
 
 to think that some of the so called species cannot be retained. 
 When growing near the water and in the shade, G. microphylla^ 
 looks green and fresh, but as the observer ascends the rocky- 
 banks, the same fern becomes more coriaceous and diminutive, 
 whilst the under surface of the frond assumes a white or glaucous 
 appearance. The same may be said of G. fldbellata ; but Dr. 
 F. Mueller differs from the opinion that this species gradually 
 passes into G. Hermanni, as the latter is somewhat rigid, the 
 capsules are more numerous than in the preceding species, and 
 the under surface of the frond is glaucous. Dr. Mueller reports 
 that G. dicarpa, has lately been found at Rockingham Bay. 
 Sub-order 2. — Polyp odiacece. 
 This is a much larger division than the preceding, and is char- 
 acterised by dorsal sori, placed generally near the margin, various 
 in form, and sometimes constituting a uniform linear or spread- 
 ing mass, either naked or furnished with an indusium. The cap- 
 sules are one-celled, with a longitudinal or oblique elastic ring. 
 The genera to be considered in this suborder are AlsopMla, DicJc- 
 sonia, Hymenophyllum, and Trichomafies, and they comprise species 
 of very variable size, some being minute ferns of a moss-like ap- 
 pearance, whilst others are gigantic tree-ferns rising to the height 
 of fifty or sixty feet. The genus AlsopMla was probably so 
 named by Brown, because many of the species abound principally 
 in shady and sheltered woods (from alsos, a w^ood and phileo, to 
 love), and it comprises some of our noblest tree-ferns. The sori 
 are of a globular form, and strictly speaking, they have no indu- 
 sium, whilst the veins are pinnated — more or less forked. The 
 only species of Alsophila from this country, described by Sir W. 
 Hooker, is A. Australis, but since the publication of the first vol- 
 ume of the " Species Filicum," other species have been dis- 
 covered, so that in all probability we have five or six well-defined 
 species. A. Australis is mentioned as "probably a rare species," 
 but this is not altogether correct, for it has a very wide range in 
 Australia, being found in moist and shady places nearly all along 
 the eastern coast. This species is still found in the neighbour- 
 hood of Sydney, but it is diminutive when compared with tree- 
 ferns of the same kind growing on the Blue Mountains, and in 
 Gipps Land. It has bipinnate fronds, pinnules linear-lanceolate, 
 acuminate, paler or glaucous beneath, and the rachis is of a light- 
 
48 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 isli brown or tawny colour, somewhat rough to the touch. The 
 other species found in this part of the colony, as well as in many 
 localities near the eastern coast, differs principally from the pre- 
 ceding in having a more slender caudex, very dark-coloured 
 rachis, and segments of fronds serrulate in the upper part. It 
 has been doubted whether this is specifically distinct from A. 
 ^Australis, but persons who have closely examined both plants in a 
 living state, regard them as distinct in habit and appearance, al- 
 though it is said that, in some of the younger plants, it is exceed- 
 ingly difficult to determine whether they differ from A. Australis 
 or not. This species used to be marked A. afflnis, but when Sir 
 "William Macarthur took home som'e living plants for the garden 
 at Kew, Sir W. Hooker named the species A. Macarthuri, in 
 honour of that distinguished colonist who has laboured for so 
 many years to develop the natural resources of the colony, and 
 to make them known not only in England, but on the continent 
 of Europe. In addition to these, a third Alsophila has received 
 the name of A. Cooperi, from Sir Daniel Cooper, formerly 
 Speaker of our Legislative Assembly ; and my learned friend Dr. 
 F. Mueller, has recently described two new species from Rock- 
 ingham Bay {A. Beheccce and A Hobertsiana) , which, though 
 much smaller than those previously noticed, are characterised as 
 tree-ferns of remarkable beauty, and well worthy of cultivation- 
 The largest of the genus in this part of the world is A. excelsa, of 
 Norfolk Island, which sometimes attains the height of eighty 
 feet. "Whether this is really distinct from some of our species, 
 remains yet to be proved. Dr. F. Mueller seems to think that 
 it is not, as it diffcjrs from A. Australis only in the chaffy scales 
 of the rachis ; whilst in the indentations on the caudex, occas- 
 ioned by the annual falling off of the fronds, it is said to resemble 
 A. Cooperi. 
 
 The next genus of the sub-order is Dicksonia, which derives its 
 name from the late Mr. James Dickson, a celebrated British cryp- 
 togamic botanist. The sori of this genus are situated at the 
 margin of the frond, and always at the apex of a vein. It differs 
 also from Alsophila in having an indusium, or rather a two-fold 
 one, formed in part of a more or less changed lobule of the frond, 
 and in part of a more or less united indusium, generally re-curved, 
 two-valved, or entire. The most remarkable species in Australia 
 
austkalian.fer:n*s. 49 
 
 is D. antarctica, a noble tree fern, first noticed on the summit of 
 Mount Tomah, by Allan Cunningham, and found to measure 
 between thirty and forty feet. Since the days of Cunningham it 
 has been found in other parts of Australia, and Mr. Backhouse, 
 in his " Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies," gives a 
 good representation of one in the plate of a " Fern Valley" in 
 Tasmania. An allied species, D. Jibrosa, is also indigenous in 
 New Zealand, where the fibrous coat of the trunk is sliced by the 
 natives and used in constructing houses. In proportion to the 
 size of the caudex, the pinnules of the frond seem very small. 
 Dlcksonia duhia (Brown's Davallia dubld) is one of our commonest 
 ferns, and abounds on the banks of our creeks. It seems some- 
 what uncertain as to which genus it belongs, but Hooker thinks, 
 " from analogy, and especially its close affinity with D. straminea, 
 it must be regarded as a Dlcksonia^ When the plant is fully 
 developed, and the reflection of the lobule is not very evident, 
 there may be a reasonable doubt as to the propriety of removing 
 it from Davallia ; but a close examination of a young frond in 
 which a two-valved indusium may sometitiies be traced, seems to 
 settle the question. D. davalUoides resembles the last in some 
 respects, but the texture of the frond is more membranaceous, 
 and, as far as I have observed, never attains so large a size. I 
 found an abundance of this species near Tomah, and the late 
 Mr. Macgillivray sent me some beautiful specimens of it from 
 Clarence Eiver. The remaining Dlcksonia is one found by C. 
 Moore, Esq., Director of our Botanical Grarden, and named by 
 him D. Youngii, as a compliment to His Excellency the Grovernor. 
 The genus Hymenojiliyllum (from hymen, a membrane, andphyl- 
 loii, a leaf, in allusion to the tenuity of the foliage), consists of mi- 
 nute species, sometimes found on moist rocks, and sometimes on the 
 caudices of tree ferns. The sori are marginal, and the involucre 
 of one leaf, more or less deeply two-valved; but j in some cases 
 there is a great difficulty in distinguishing between this genus 
 and the next to be considered, for " the receptacle is not always 
 included in Hymenophyllum, nor always exserted in Trichomanes. 
 Again, in the latter genus, there is an approach to a two-lipped 
 involucre, and in the former, it can sometimes be scarcely called 
 two-valved." Dr. E. Mueller is of opinion that Australia possesses 
 only two real species of Hymenojyhyllam^ which I suppose are. 
 a 
 
50 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 Hooker's S. marginatum^ a very minute species, growing amongst 
 mosses, and H.Jlaljellatmn, with whicli H. nitens is now united, 
 " as the winged rachis and stipes aftbrd no positive mark for 
 specific determination." To these must be added the cosmopoli- 
 tan H. Tunbridgense, and its variety H. Wilsoni, for although in 
 Europe they seem distinct species, " yet (Sir William Hooker 
 remarks) it often becomes difficult accurately to distinguish 
 exotic ones." These pretty little ferns are very plentiful on the 
 moist rocks of our creeks ; but the other species (R. flahellatum) 
 is generally found on the stems of our tree ferns, on which it 
 forms an exceedingly pretty object. 
 
 The genus* Trichomanes (ivonn. thrix,triclios, "hair," 2cn.d. mania, 
 " excess") differs from the preceding genus in generally having 
 a long hair-like receptacle much exceeding the involucre, but 
 this is by no means a certain mark in all species : the involucres 
 are of one leaf, mostly entire, and of a cylindrical or urceolate 
 shape. The most common species in Australia is T. venosum, 
 which grows on the stems of tree ferns, and seldom exceeds a few 
 inches in length. Somewhat larger than this is T. angudatum, 
 which was found at the Eichmond Eiver, by Mr. C. Moore, and 
 by Mrs. K. Parker, at the Kurrajong. It is said to be similar to 
 that found in the Eeejee Islands. 
 
 Dr. Y. Mueller makes only four species of Alsophila, and that 
 one which we have hitherto known as A. Macartliuri, he refers to 
 A. Leichardtiana, as Dr. Leichardt is said to have been the first 
 person who remarked that it was specifically distinct from A. 
 Australis. Dr. Mueller gives only one species of Dicksonia, (I). 
 antarctica)y referring D. duhia to Davallia, and probably regard- 
 ing D. Youngii as a coarser form of the first species ; but he 
 states that Cyatliea medullaris, a tree fern of some fifty feet in 
 height, has been found in the neighbourhood of Cape Otway, and 
 also G. Lindmtiana, at Eockingham Bay. Whether the former 
 splendid fern is identical with that occurring in New Zealand and 
 Norfolk Island, remains to be proved. The genus Cyatliea is 
 nearly allied to AlsopJiila, but it differs in having an involucre, 
 " which is globose, inferior, membranaceous or somewhat horny, 
 at first entire and covering the whole sorus, afterwards bursting 
 from the top with a nearly circular opening, becoming cup-shaped, 
 .more or less entire or lobcd." To this alliance the Doctor also 
 
ATJSTEALIAN FERNS. 51 
 
 adds Deparia Macrcdi, (sometimes united with DicJcsonia) , which 
 it seems has been found at Illawarra. In this genus, the sori are 
 marginal at the apices of the segments, on short teeth, pointing 
 forwards, always from the apex of a vein. Sir William Hooker 
 gives an elegant figure of the allied species D. MatJiewsii, and 
 probably it may have been seen under cultivation in Sydney by 
 some of my readers. According to the latest opinion expressed 
 by Dr. Mueller, Symenophyllum flabellatimi, H. nitens and II . 
 crispatum, should be regarded as varieties of H. demisstmi, and B^. 
 Wilsoni, must be united with II. Tuiibridgense. Trichomanes 
 rigidum (under which T. setilola with the divisions of the pinnules 
 separated into setaceous segments is included) has been recently 
 found at Eockingham Bay, and Mr. Oldfield has reported the 
 occurrence of T. reniforme in some part of Queensland. T. 
 venosum, which is usually found on the caudices of tree ferns, was 
 collected by the writer in the crevice of a rock at Manly Beach, 
 but not in a state of fructification. 
 
 Sub-order 3. — DavaUiece. 
 The genus Davallia (from M.Davall, a Swiss Botanist), has dorsal 
 sori, near, or at the margin of the frond, terminal upon a vein. 
 The involucre is somewhat oval, and attached to the under side 
 of the sori. This genus is represented in Australia by four 
 species — D. elegans, D. pyxidata, D. polypodioides or D. flaccida, 
 and D. pedata, lately found at Eockingham Bay. Our D. pyxi- 
 data comes near to D. Canariensis or the Hare's foot fern, and is 
 figured by Hooker as an interesting species, but he remarks that 
 it sometimes differs so much even in the same frond that one por- 
 tion of it approaches some of the narrow states of D. soUda, 
 whilst another resembles D. Canariensis. My notice of this sub- 
 order ends with the genus Lindscea (so named by Dryander in 
 honour of Lindsay), which has linear sori, parallel to the margin, 
 and generally near to it, the involucre arising from the apex of a 
 vein. Brown's species are four, L. iinearis, L. lanceolata, L. 
 media, and L. microphylla. The first and last of these are small 
 ferns very common in Eastern Australia — the former growing 
 generally in a scattered manner under the shade of a tree or 
 shrub, and the latter from the crevices of rocks in moist places. 
 L. lanceolata is united with L. ensifolia by Sir "W. Hooker, but L. 
 pentaphylla (collected in New Holland by Mr. Bynoe), is re- 
 
'52 A CO"N'TRT"BTJTTOX TO, ETC. 
 
 tained as a distinct species, though further inquiry may lead to 
 the conclusion that it is a mere variety of the preceding. L. 
 'lanuginosa (see Fragmenta, vol. 4, p. 166), a species previously 
 found on trees in Singapore and Penang, as well as in New 
 Guinea, has lately been discovered at Eockingham Bay ; and L. 
 flalellulata, a fern common to China, Sumatra, Java, &c., occurs 
 at Port Essington. According to Hooker, many authors unite 
 this suborder with Dicksoniece, with which, indeed, it seems 
 closely allied, but until botanists can settle the many differences 
 of opinion which they entertain as to the limit of the group and 
 the genera which compose it, the present arrangement seems the 
 most convenient. 
 
 Dr. F. Mueller considers that Dichsonia davallioides is a mere 
 variety of Davallia flaccida. This opinion is formed from a com- 
 parison of specimens from Norfolk Island, the Blue Mountains, 
 and the Macleay, Hastings, and Clarence E-ivers. It does not 
 appear that Oystoptetis fragilis, though frequent in New Zealand, 
 and in the alpine regions of Tasmania, has yet been found in 
 Australia. In addition to the species of Lindscsa already enume- 
 rated, Dr. Mueller states that he has received specimens of L. 
 Fraseri from Stadbrooke Island, Cleveland, and Moreton Bay ; 
 and of L. trichomanoides from Illawarra. and Eockingham Bay ; 
 but he adds that until further investigations have taken place, it 
 is impossible to determine whether some of the species can be 
 maintained. L. cultrata and L. concinna have lately been found 
 at Eockingham Bay. 
 
 SiJB-oiiBEB 4. — FteridecB 
 
 In this suborder are included several genera common in Aus- 
 tralia, characterised by orbicular sori, oblong or linear often con- 
 tinuous, marginal, situated at the apices of the veins with an in- 
 volucre formed of the replicate margin. This, of course, is a 
 mere general character of a most extensive group, varying very 
 much in appearance and habit, but as the genera of which it is 
 composed pass almost imperceptibly into each other, they cannot 
 be satisfactorily placed in separate sections. The genera with 
 which we are more immediately concerned in Australia are 
 Adiantum, Hgpolepis, Cheilanthas, Pellcea, Pteris, and Ceratopteris. 
 In the first of these, A. hispidulum, A. formosum and A. assimile 
 are very abundant in Eastern Australia. At first sight, the last 
 
AUSTRALIAN FERNS. . 53 
 
 of these graceful ferns resembles tlie well-known " Maiden Hair 
 Fern" of other countries, and from that circumstance probably 
 derives its specific name; but Hooker inclines to the opinion 
 that it is identical with A. JEthiopicum, the species next to the 
 Maiden Hair. "When my brother (The Eev. C. Woolls, M.A. of 
 Pembroke College, Oxford), was travelling sometime since in 
 Italy, he collected for me amongst the ruins of Capua, some 
 specimens of the true " Maiden Hair," closely resembling Brown's 
 A. assimile, but the pinnules are more cuneate. A. hispidulumm 
 very widely distributed in this part of the world, and somewhat 
 variable in shape, but it may generally be recognised by its fan- 
 like divided fronds. A. formosum, of which it seems Sir William 
 Hooker had very few specimens, is still more variable in its appear- 
 ance. The genus Adianfum is so called from the dry character of 
 many species (adiantos, dry) ; and Pliny says, " in vain you plunge 
 Adiantum in water : it always remains dry." 
 
 A good collection of Australian species with their numerous 
 varieties might be made within a few miles of Sydney. The genus 
 Hypolepis has not any involucre distinct from the frond of the 
 fern, but that organ consists of the more or less changed and re- 
 flected margin ; hence the name arises from the scale-like appear- 
 ance which that portion of the frond assumes (Jiypo, under, and 
 lepis, a scale). In the northern part of the colony, there is a fern 
 very similar to Polypodium rugosulum, which I am inclined to 
 think must be the H. Dicksonioides of some authors. In some 
 specimens that I have seen, the margin of the frond is scarcely 
 reflected at all, whilst in others it is so clearly seen covering the 
 sori, that the fern cannot with any degree of propriety be re- 
 ferred to Polypodivm. Hooker inclines to the opinion that this 
 fern is not H. tenuifolia, although in an old state some of the 
 fronds resemble it, as " the teeth or lobules of the pinnules may 
 be seen to form an arch over the sori without altering the tex- 
 ture." H. Dicksonioides is undoubtedly a Norfolk Island species, 
 and Kunze mentions it as a native of New Holland. This is 
 probably the case, but S. amauroracliis seems to be a mere va- 
 riety with a darker rachis, but little known. 
 
 GheilantJies is a genus nearly allied to the last, but differing 
 principally in having the involucre confluent and continuous 
 near the margin (cheilos, the margin, and antJios, a flower). C. 
 
54 A cot«'teirutio:n' to, etc. 
 
 tenuifolia is a very common species in Australia, varying consider- 
 ably in size and appearance according to tlie degree of moisture 
 to whicli it is subjected, being sometimes only two or three inches 
 high, and sometimes more than a foot. C. Sieheri seems to be a 
 mere variety of a more rigid habit, whilst C. caudata, which is not 
 well-known, has an affinity to it, but has very elongated termi- 
 nated pinnules, both at the main apex of the frond and on the 
 branches. Whether C. Pressiana from Swan Eiver is a distinct 
 species, or whether all our known species of Cheilanthes are to 
 be regarded as mere varieties of one common type, remains to 
 be shown. 
 
 Brown's JPteris falcata and AdiaMum paradoxum are now re- 
 ferred to the genus Fellcea, so called from pellos, " of a dark 
 colour," because the genus comprises plants with brown or black 
 stipes. P. pao'adoxa has been rather a perplexing one to col- 
 lectors on account of the great variation to Avhich it is subject, 
 and it seems highly probable that hereafter it will be regarded as 
 a mere variety of P. falcata, with which also P. rotundifolia of 
 New Zealand will be associated. Sir W. Hooker, judging from 
 dried specimens placed in his hands, could see no diiference be- 
 tween P. paradocca and P. falcata, " except the usually taller, 
 but narrower and more numerously pinnated fronds, with nar- 
 rower pinnsB, and stipes and rachis squamuloso-hirsute." The 
 identity of the so-called species, however, is more evident from 
 seeing the variations in a living state, and noticing Jiow gradually 
 they pass into each other. K, indeed, we were to take the ex- 
 treme varieties of these ferns, we might imagine them to be dis- 
 tinct species, as many botanists have done who had no oppor- 
 tunity of examining living specimens ; but when we can find so 
 many connecting links between them, we must be led to a differ- 
 ent conclusion — unless, indeed, w^e regard every deviation from 
 the original type as an indication of a new species, and then we 
 may make as many species as there are varying forms. 
 
 The next genus to be considered is Pteris, which differs from 
 the preceding in having " sori arising from a longitudinal con- 
 tinuous receptacle in the axis of the involucre," whereas in Pellcea 
 the sori are in reality separate in the first instance, although 
 eventually they become confluent. There are some species of a 
 doubtful character, vacillating as it were between the two genera, 
 
AtTSTKALIAN TEENS 55 
 
 but in these cases there is a difference of habit which seems to 
 determine their proper place in the suborder. With regard to 
 P. nudiuscula (Brown's Pteris nudiusculd), so little is known, that 
 Hooker hesitated whether to refer it to Pellcea or Nothochlaeiia. 
 It seems probable that it belongs to the latter genus, for in many 
 respects it resembles the forms of Nothocldcena, to which we shall 
 have occasion to refer by and by. As Fteris is a large genus, 
 and, generally speaking, easy to be recognised, it may be useful 
 to state that any ferns which have the fructification marginal, 
 linear and continuous, with a narrow involucre somewhat mem- 
 branaceous, may be referred to the same group. The veins are 
 generally very distinct, but varying in shape, being sometimes 
 reticulated, so that the species may be conveniently arranged in 
 separate sections according to the venation. The species best 
 known in Australia are P. mtibrosa, P. tremula^ P. aquiVma^ (for- 
 merly P. esculentd), and P. incisa (formerly P. vesjyertiliotiis, or 
 the bat's wing). P. aquilina is one of our commonest ferns, and 
 according to Hooker, is a mere variety of the European species, 
 or rather of that widely distributed fern, which in one or other of 
 its forms is found in both hemispheres, in almost all the tropical 
 and temperate parts of the world. Our fern is of a rigid or co^ 
 riaceous texture, and it was originally called " esculent," be- 
 cause it was regarded as identical with the edible fern of the 
 South Sea Islanders. Dr. Clarke, P.L.S. has lately brought to 
 light the esculent properties of the European variety, and there- 
 by has afforded another proof of its intimate alliance with that of 
 the south. P. umhrosa, P. tremula, and P. incisa, are very grace- 
 ful and ornamental ferns. P. pedata is a small plant common to 
 Tropical Australia and many parts of the West Indies, as well as 
 South America. 
 
 Ceratopterls thalictroldes is an interesting aquatic fern, floating 
 or attached to soil in shallow waters. It was found by Cunning- 
 ham in Groulburn Islands, and also by Dr. E. Mueller, in North- 
 West Australia, &c. Hooker remarks that it is entirely sui 
 generis, as it differs from all others in so many respects that 
 botanists cannot agree to the exact place it should occupy. 
 
 Having reviewed the Australian Pteridece, as known to Sir W. 
 Hooker, I shall now turn to the same order as recently inves- 
 tigated by Dr. E. Mueller, that some idea may be formed of the 
 
56 A CONTllIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 progress which has been made in our crjptogamic botany within 
 the last two or three years. Adiaiitum lunulatum has lately been 
 collected at Rockingham Bay. With A. (Ethiopicum, A. assimile 
 and A. trigonum are unhesitatingly joined ; whilst A. trapeziforme 
 and A. setulosum are connected with A. affine, and A. Cimnmg- 
 hami with A.formosum. Our varying forms of Ilypolepis are re- 
 ferred to JPohjpodium rugosidwm, but some of the specimens col- 
 lected by Mr. Macgillivray, at the Clarence and Richmond Elv- 
 ers, are looked upon as exindusiate forms of Neplirodium. The 
 doctor unites Cheilanthes with Nothoclilcdiia, under the species C. 
 tenuifolia^ G. distans, G. vellea, G. Jdrsnta, and. G.fragillima. He 
 also refers the variable Pellcea falcata, to the old genus Pteris, 
 and furnishes us with the following species, as occurring in dif- 
 ferent parts of this continent: P. gerariifoUa, P. Felicieniioi, P. 
 incisa, P. cotnans, P. tr'qjartlta, P. qiiadriaurita, P. crenata, P. 
 longifblia, P. icmbrosa, P. arguta^ and P. aquilina. The grace- 
 ful species P, cmnans, until veiy lately, had been collected only 
 at Apollo Bay, but Miss Atkinson has found it plentifully in 
 some of the gullies in the southern part of the county of Camden. 
 Our plant belongs to the variety generally named P. Eiidlicher- 
 iana, as described in Endlicher's work on the Botany of Norfolk 
 Island. Rockingham Bay and Port Denison have supplied se- 
 veral species of Pteris similar to those indigenous in India and 
 the Islands of the Pacific, and there is reason to believe that as 
 North Eastern Australia is more carefully examined, other species 
 will be discovered. AV^hilst objects ot a pastoral and commercial 
 character are gradually revealing the capabilities of this vast con- 
 tinent, it is 2)leasing to find that the claims of science are not 
 overlooked, and that each expedition, as it opens the vegetable 
 rescources of the country, adds some contribution to our crypto- 
 gamic botany. 
 
 SuB-OEDER 5. — Loniariece. 
 Undee this sub-order, we have to consider the genera of 
 Lomarla, Blechnum, and Doodia, two of which are characterised 
 by linear and continuous sori, whilst the last differs from them 
 not only in the position of the sori, but also in the venation. It 
 may be convenient to class these ferns together, but, as Sir 
 "William Hooker remarks, the limits of the group are not easily 
 defined, and several species of Lomaria, " gradually depart from 
 
AUSTRALIAN FERNS. 67 
 
 the pteroid character, and completely merge into Blechnum.^^ 
 Lomaria, which is the same as Brown's ^tegania, is so called 
 from loma, an edge, on account of the apparently marginal posi- 
 tion of the indusia. The fertile and sterile fronds differ very much 
 from each other in appearance, as the fertile ones are greatly 
 contracted, and the sori seem to occupy the whole of the under 
 surface. The involucre is formed by the revolution of the margin 
 of the frond, and the veins are simple or forked. L. Fatersoni, 
 L. discolor (Brown's Stegania falcatd), L. lanceolata, L.Jluviatilis, 
 and L. procera, are the species with which we are more imme- 
 diately concerned, although perhaps L. discolor and L. lanceolata, 
 are merely varieties of one species. L. Fatersoni, has simple or 
 sometimes pinnatifid fronds, and Hooker mentions it as " one of 
 the rarest of the genus;" but this opinion was probably formed 
 from the limited number of specimens forwarded to him from 
 these colonies, as the species may be found within a few miles of 
 Sydney, in several of the gullies in the county of Camden, on the 
 Blue Mountains, the Mittagong Eange, &c. Berkeley (Int. to 
 Crypt. Bot., p. 516), mentions "that L. Fatersoni, which is cul- 
 tivated at Kew, produced for years simple fronds, but at length 
 became divided." Miss Atkinson collected some fronds at the 
 Kurrajong with well-defined pinnatifid segments, and I found 
 some similar ones not far from Bent's Basin ; whilst at the Fox 
 Ground near Lane Cove, I collected specimens in three different 
 states, simple, pinnatifid, and pinnatipartite, all growing from the 
 same rhizome! The difficulty of determining species from a 
 mere inspection of dried specimens, is shown by the remark of Sir 
 William Hooker, " The fact of L. Fatersoni, bearing partially pin- 
 natifid fronds in cultivation, might throw some doubt on the vali- 
 dity of the species, at least upon the correctness of considering 
 the simple frond as the normal state of the plant." The truth is, 
 that not merely in a state of cultivation, but also in its natural 
 condition, this fern appears in three difierent forms, although 
 the simple form occurs the most frequently. 
 
 L. lanceolata, which seems to pass insensibly into some forms of 
 L. attenuata and L. discolor, occurs in many creeks not far from 
 Sydney, but it varies very much in size and appearance, ranging 
 from a few inches to more than two feet in height.* Some of the 
 
 * Mr. Parcel has lately, collected at the Fox Ground, near Lane Cove, a 
 H 
 
58 A CONTEIBrTION TO, ETC. 
 
 larger variety may be found near Manly Beach, and the smaller 
 on the creeks to the north of Parramatta. The largest species of 
 this genus is L. procera, which has a very wide geographical range, 
 being found in many parts of the southern hemisphere. 
 
 The next genus Blechnwn (so called from hlecTinon one of the 
 G-reek names of the fern) may easily be confounded with the pre- 
 ceding; but generally speaking, the indusium in Lomaria is 
 formed from the altered margin of the frond, whilst that of Blech- 
 num is distinct. This may be useful to guide us in determining 
 our Australian species, but the rule does not seem to hold in 
 every case, so that some botanists propose to unite the genera. 
 Three species, B. cartilagineum, B. striatum, and B. IcBvigatum 
 are very common in New South "Wales, but, like some of the 
 species of Lomaria, they are subject to considerable variation. 
 " B. Icdvigatum,'^ Hooker remarks, " is a very distinct species, and 
 appears to be confined to one locality, being remarkable for the 
 two forms of frond, the one with broad, sterile pinnae, the other, 
 narrow, fertile ones." It is common on the banks of some creeks 
 near Sydney, and generally prefers a moist situation under a rock. 
 Some of the fronds, springing up in favourable localities, are so 
 large that they resemble Lomaria yrocera, but they may easily 
 be distinguished by the fructification. 
 
 Dr. E. Mueller reports that B. orientale, which is identical with 
 the East Indian species, has recently been found in North - 
 Eastern Australia. All the species of Lomaria and Blechnum may 
 be dried and pressed without difficulty, but the spores of the 
 fertile fronds are so numerous that they frequently disfigure the 
 papers on which they are placed. 
 
 The genus Boodia, which derives its name from Samuel Doody, 
 a London apothecary, who was almost the first investigator of 
 British Cryptogamic Botany, comprises a few species of small, 
 rough, and erect ferns, with oblong sori, arranged transversely, 
 vnth the veins forming areolae, or little spaces. The Australian 
 species enumerated by Hooker, are B. aspera, D. blechnoides, D. 
 media, and D. caudata, but if we follow up the principles laid down 
 
 curious variety of L. discolor. Whilst presenting the usual characteristics of 
 the species, the segments of the frond are pinnatipartite half way down from 
 the apex of each segment, giving the fern a remarkable and elegant appear- 
 ance. As some young plants were secured, Mr. Parcel will be able to deter- 
 mine whether the variety is likely to be permanent. 
 
ATJSTEALIAN FEUNS 59 
 
 by that eminent writer, not more than two of the species can be 
 retained. Indeed Sir William seems to suggest that D. hlecJi- 
 noides may prove a mere variety of D. asjpera, and that D. media 
 and D. caudata are probably the same species. The late William 
 Sharp Macleay, Esq., F.L.S., used to take a pleasure in speaking 
 of a Doodia found at the Kurrajong by Miss Atkinson, as D. 
 Atkinsonia ; but Dr. P. Mueller, to whom I have submitted spe- 
 cimens of this remarkable variety, refers it to D. caudata. Some 
 sterile forms of this resemble Lomaria Fatersoni, but of course 
 the venation is very different. Doodia is very common in E. 
 Australia. 
 
 As some of my readers may feel an interest in the opinions 
 recently expressed by Dr. F. Mueller in reference to the order 
 Lomariece, I shall subjoin a brief account of the species, as 
 arranged by that learned writer. L. procera is referred to L. 
 capensisj and it is said to extend from St. Vincent's Gulf to Bock- 
 ingham Bay, and to occur even- on the tops of mountains. L. 
 discolor or L. falcata, which is the commonest form on our Par- 
 ramatta creeks, is also very widely diffused ; and at the source of 
 Bunip Bunip Creek, the Doctor found a bipinnatifid variety of 
 the same species, whilst Mr. Boyle collected on the Dandenong 
 mountains some fronds with pinnatifid and pinnatipartite pinnaa. 
 L. Vulcanica has not yet been found on the Australian continent, 
 although occurring in many parts of Tasmania ; but L. lanceolata 
 has been collected in several places in Victoria. X. alpina grows 
 near water on the Australian Alps, and L. JluviatiUs in South 
 Australia, Delatite, and Upper Mitta Mitta. Brown's specimens 
 were procured in Tasmania, but whether this species is really 
 distinct from the New Zealand L. memhranacea, remains to be 
 seen. Dr. Mueller alludes to the three forms of L. Patersoni, 
 and states that it has a wide geographical range, being found on 
 various parts of the coast from Victoria to Eockingham Bay, and 
 also in New Zealand, the islands in the Oriental Archipelago, 
 and Continental India. L. eccimia is a new species, allied to L. 
 capensis, and occurring near Eockingham Bay. L. articulata is 
 also new, and is accurately described in the fifth volume of Dr. 
 Mueller's Fragmenta, p. 187. This fern was found at the source 
 of the Mackay Eiver, and it is distinguished from other species 
 by the pinnae being articulated to the rachis, and from L. capensis 
 
60 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 in particular by the absence of scales from the rachis and the 
 pinnae, by the bases of the pinnae not being truncate and some- 
 what rounded, by the teeth of the pinnae being more obtuse, and 
 the veins less approximate. 
 
 The genus Blechnum, which the Doctor places before Lomaria, 
 is at present limited to four species in Australia. B. orientale 
 was found on the Adelaide Eiver, by Stuart and "Waterhouse, 
 and near Eockingham Bay by Dallachy. B. striatum has a wider 
 range, and is regarded as the B. straminev/m and B. squamuloswn 
 of some authors. B. cartilagineum occurs in many parts of Aus- 
 tralia, but as yet no observer has noticed it in Tasmania. B. 
 Icevigatum, (B. amhiguum of Sieber,) is one of the commonest 
 ferns on the banks of creeks, and as I have before remarked, the 
 sterile fronds closely resemble those of Lomaria ccupensis or pro- 
 cera. According to Dr. Mueller, the stipes seems always more 
 sharply angled, the scales at its base of a lighter colour and more 
 transparent, the pinnae often more clear and punctate, and the 
 veining less copious. 
 
 Doodia is placed after Polypodium, and the species reduced 
 to two. D. caudata is a very variable fern, and has been noticed 
 from Cape Otway to Eockingham Bay. Dr. Mueller particularly 
 alludes to a three-lobed variety, and also to some abnormal forms 
 of the same species transmitted to him by Miss Atkinson and 
 the writer of this paper, some resembling an Asplenium, and 
 others, a Lomaria. D. aspera includes D. media and I). hlecJinoides, 
 but whether D. maxima of Eraser and Cunningham can be reduced 
 to the same species, demands further inquiry. 
 SuB-OEDEE 6. — AspleniecB. 
 
 This is a sub-order comprising very numerous species, which 
 some botanists have distributed amongst many genera, but ac- 
 cording to the views of Sir W. Hooker, the majority of such 
 genera are incorporated in one great genus, viz., that oiAsplenium, 
 a word derived from a, privative, and spleen, as this genus was 
 formerly held to be a sovereign remedy for all diseases of the 
 spleen, and even to destroy it, if employed in excess. The sori 
 have linear or oblong indusia, more or less oblique, and some- 
 times opposite to each other. One of our most admired ferns, 
 the bird's nest fern, belongs to this genus. In Brown's Pro- 
 dromus, it is Asplenin/ni nidus (the same as Smith's Neottopteris 
 
AtrSTEALIAN FERIS'^S. 61 
 
 Australasicd), but according to the recent arrangement, the 
 species now is A. Australasicum, although Hooker was inclined 
 to include this fern, and also A. 07iuscefolmm, with A. nidus. The 
 fronds of this species are two or three feet long, and six or seven 
 inches wide, and from the peculiar manner in which they form a 
 centre similar to a nest, this plant has acquired the specific name, 
 Nidus. It occurs in many parts of New South Wales, and I 
 may mention, as a caution to fern-gatherers, that sometimes a 
 species of black snake coils itself up in the centre. There are 
 many beautiful species of Asplenium in Australia, but perhaps 
 none is so much admired as A. dimorpJium (Endlicher's A. diversi- 
 foliwn) which, I believe, has not been found in any place except- 
 ing Norfolk Island. The sterile and fertile pinnss are generally 
 on the same frond, and being very different in form, they give a 
 strange and elegant appearance to the plant. The species best 
 known in this part of Australia are A. attenuatmn, A.flahellifolium 
 A. falcatum, A.Jiaccidum (Brown's A. odontites), and A. Australe 
 (Brown's Allantodia). The first of these is fond of shady woods, 
 and has linear acuminated fronds, which are proliferous at the 
 apex (that is, which root at the extremity of the fronds, and 
 throw up new ones). A.JlaheUifoUwnis a common and much ad- 
 mired species, abundant in most parts of Australia, being well 
 distinguished by its fan-like pinnae, and procumbent fronds, which 
 sometimes root at the apex, in a manner similar to the last men- 
 tioned species. "When growing in moist shady places, the fronds 
 are more than six inches in length and have a bright green and 
 delicate appearance, being sometimes bipinnate. A. falcatu/ni is 
 a larger and more coriaceous fern than the fan-like species, and is 
 probably the fully developed form of A. furcatum or A. prcBmor- 
 sum. This opinion could scarcely be formed from the examina- 
 tion of dried specimens, but a careful investigation of living 
 plants, springing up under various surrounding circumstances, 
 will probably lead to the conclusion. Varying fronds of this 
 species may be found in gullies on the Blue Mountains, and also 
 an abundance oi A.Jiaccidum (Brown's A. odontites), which, like 
 the preceding, seems subject to much variation. Dr. Hooker 
 says " it would take many pages to enumerate half its protean 
 forms," and he connects with it several of the generally received 
 species. This amalgamation is the result of comparing several 
 
62 A COITTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 New Zealand varieties with those of this country, for in Australia 
 the forms in question are less liable to run into each other. A. 
 Australe (which used to be called Allantodia from the sausage- 
 like shape of the sori) is a very delicate and membranaceous fern, 
 common in some of the eastern parts of Australia, as well as in 
 Tasmania, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, and India. I have seen 
 it at the Fox Grround growing near Alsopliila Australis, and A. 
 Macarthuri^ and it occurs on the Blue Mountains. Brown made 
 two species of this fern, but Hooker unites both forms, and Dr. 
 Hooker remarks, " I am disposed to consider all the East Indian 
 Allantoid group known to me, except A. Jiinbriatmn, identical 
 with A. Australe'^ The little A. Tricliomanes, or common 
 spleenwort, which occurs not only in Grreat Britain and through- 
 out Europe, but also in each of the other divisions of the globe, 
 has been found in several parts of Australia. Cunningham re- 
 ported many years ago that he had collected it at Bathurst and 
 Parramatta, but I think, as i^: has never been seen anywhere near 
 the latter by subsequent observers, that there is some little in- 
 accuracy in the habitat given by Hooker. As Cunningham for- 
 warded from Parramatta many specimens which he had collected 
 in diiferent parts of the colony, it seems probable that the little 
 fern in question was placed by mistake amongst some specimens 
 collected in the immediate neighbourhood of that place. Mrs. 
 Selkirk and Miss Atkinson have recently collected this fern in the 
 neighbourhood of Berrima. A. paleaceum, which derives its 
 specific name from the copious scales on the caudex, is described 
 by Brown as a tropical fern, and M. Thozet has found it near 
 Hockhamptou. It bears some resemblance to A. jlahellifolium, in 
 the form of the pinnae, and in the proliferous apices of the fronds, 
 but it differs in being much harsher in texture, and in having 
 scales with long fringed margins. Sir W. Hooker remarks that 
 few, if any, ferns are less known than this, and that he was in- 
 debted to Mr. Macgillivray for specimens of it, collected on 
 Erankland Isles, on the N. E. coast of Australia. A. caudatum 
 was found in N. W. Australia by Dr. E. Mueller, and accord- 
 ing to the opinion of some botanists, it is to be regarded as a 
 variety of A. falcatum. One of the most interesting of the genus 
 is A. huJhife^nim (so called on account of the primary pinnse being 
 frequently proliferous), which in numerous varieties is found in 
 
ArSTEALIAN FEENS. 63 
 
 New Zealand, Tasmania, Victoria (Dr. P. Mueller), Northern 
 India, Mexico, and very recently in the vicinity of Mittagong. 
 Dr. Brown considered the form A. laxum as a separate species, 
 as he had never seen it proliferous ; but Hooker unites not only 
 that variety but also several others, with A. hulbiferum, as he 
 does not regard the proliferous^ pinnae as indicating specific dif- 
 ference. Dr. Hooker thought that this species was very closely 
 allied to A.Jlaccidum {A. odontites, E.. Brown), and that it some- 
 times passes into A. Hooherianum, but Sir William expresses a 
 different opinion. A. oUusatum and A. difforme, which Bro^vn 
 regarded as distinct, are now placed together, as they " exhibit 
 almost a gradual transition from the one to the other." Some 
 specimens which Mr. Macgillivray forwarded to me from Cla- 
 rence Eiver confirm this view, for the pinnae vary considerably in 
 shape and appearance. In addition to the species of Asplenium 
 enumerated, I may mention A. simpUcifrons (Fragmenta, vol. 5, 
 p, 74) from Eockingham Bay, which has recently been described 
 by Dr. Mueller, and also A. polypodloides, A.cu7ieatum,a,TidiA. 
 si/lvaticum, which have been determined by the same indefatigable 
 author to be identical with the Indian species. Perhaps on the 
 whole, this genus is the most interesting in Australia, not merely 
 on account of the numerous species, but for the great dis- 
 similarity of the fronds. It will appear, however, that the 
 species are very limited in the neighbourhood of Sydney, only 
 two being found there, and those so diiferent in their form and 
 character, that the casual observer would never suppose them to 
 be allied. With regard to the species themselves, there is some 
 obscurity, for the most distinguished botanists are by no means 
 agreed as to what are true species and what are mere varieties. 
 As an instance of this, it may be seen that Hooker regards A. 
 hulbiferum as perfectly distinct from A. fiaccidwn, whilst Dr. F. 
 Mueller assures us, that " in the fern-tree ravines of Victoria, he 
 had frequent occasion to trace A. hulbiferum and A. flaccidum 
 into each other," both being varieties of ^4. marinwn. And pro- 
 bably this latter opinion is correct, and it affords another illus- 
 tration of the advantage of studying plants as they grow in 
 various localities, and are influenced by surrounding circum- 
 stances. But, after all, we must bear in mind the philosophic 
 caution of Berkeley, " that in these matters we are not to look 
 
64 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 for mathematical precision or for characters which can, without 
 failure, include every form in groups." Suh-order (7) Scolopen- 
 drieoe is not represented in this part of the world, and the des- 
 cribed species do not exceed eight. 
 
 The species of this order, according to Dr. F. Mueller, are 
 arranged in the following manner : Asplenium nidus ; A. simpliei- 
 frons; A. attenuatum ; A. paleaceum ; A.falcatum; A.furcatw7i; 
 A. cuneatum including A. laserpitiifolium; A. Jlahellifolmm, with 
 a remarkable variety A. dissectmn, collected by the Bev. E-. L. 
 King, of Parramatta: A. trichomanes ; A. marinum, with the 
 varieties, oMusatmn, hulhiferum, anidflaceidum ; A. umbroswn; A. 
 polypodioides ; and A. sylvaticum. The second of these is a new 
 species, described in the Fragmenta, vol. 5, p. 74. This was dis- 
 covered near Eiockingham Bay, associated with several species of 
 AcrosticJmm, and has long, narrow, lanceolate fronds. Some beau- 
 tiful specimens of A. sylvaticum (Diplazium) were collected at 
 the Eichmond Eiver by the late Mr. Macgillivray. This is a very 
 elegant fern, with a short erect caudex, a stipes about a foot long, 
 and fronds sometimes two feet and upwards in length. It is re- 
 markable on account of its double involucre, and for the fact that 
 the same species occurs in the Mauritius, Ceylon, Malacca, Java 
 &c. A. marinum was lately found by J. E. Young, Esq., of the 
 Grlebe, in its form of ohtusatum, not many miles from Sydney, 
 growing close to the salt water. It would be interesting to those 
 who wish to arrange ferns systematically, to ascertain if the 
 various forms of this species could be developed by cultivation, 
 for notwithstanding the views of Sir William Hooker and Dr. 
 F. Mueller, whose opinions are indeed entitled to the greatest 
 consideration, I am not aware that the varieties in question have 
 ever been raised from the same spores by any artificial means. 
 Until the amount of variation under cultivation can be distinctly 
 shown, it seems impossible to determine whether A.Jlaccidum is in- 
 deed one of the forms of the well known A. marinum . 
 SuB-OKDEB, 8. — Aspidiacece. 
 
 This sub-order is distinguished by dorsal sori of a roundish 
 shape, with an involucre either peltate and fixed by the centre, 
 or reniform and fixed by the sinus (that is the recess formed by 
 the lobe), whilst the veins vary considerably in the species. In 
 this group we are to consider Aspidittm, NepJirodivm, and Nephron 
 
ATISTEALIAN PEENS. 65 
 
 lepis, of which the species, though not numerous in this colony, 
 are nevertheless highly interesting. The first of these has peltate 
 or buckler-shaped involucres or indusia, fixed by the centre ; and 
 in Australia, it is represented by two species — A, aculeatum, amd. 
 A. coriaceum. Sir W. Hooker has united a great many varieties 
 from all parts of the world under the "first of these species, and 
 amongst them Brown's A. 'proliferum, as he does not regard the 
 proliferous fronds as the character of a distinct species. He re- 
 marks that " in Australia it is known only on the south-eastern 
 portion from Sydney to the Hunter Eiver," but this seems 
 scarcely correct, as it occurs plentifully on the banks of creeks 
 in the counties of Cumberland and Camden, and also on the Blue 
 Mountains, the Mittagong Eange, &c., &c. The fronds vary in 
 size, and the pinnae are sometimes more divided and aculeate 
 than at others ; but from the rusty scales, the harsh texture of 
 the frond, and the buckler-shaped indusium, the species is suf- 
 ficiently indicated. A. coriaceum is not a common species in 
 Australia, and I am not aware whether any botanist had collected 
 it on this continent before it was found by Dr. Mueller near 
 Cape Otway. Hooker remarks that this species varies extremely 
 in size, but that it is scarcely likely to be confounded with any 
 other as its texture is so leathery. The word Aspidium is derived 
 from aspis, a shield or little buckler, from the form of the indusia ; 
 and the next genus, Neplirodium, is so called, from nephros a kid- 
 ney, because the same organs are of a reniform shape. To this 
 genus belongs the well known and widely distributed species N. 
 Filix-mas, which has been found in the Sandwich Islands, but no- 
 where else in the Polynesian Islands, nor in any part of Australia. 
 The " Male Eern," as it is termed, is common in Europe in shady 
 places and woods, and the root, which consists of many matted 
 fibres, forming a turfy or cespitose head, caused it to be regarded 
 as one of the ferns " detested by the crooked plough." (Virgil's 
 Georgics, b. 2, line 189.) The species of Neplirodium^ known in 
 Australia, are those described by Brown under the names of N. 
 molle, N. propinquvm, N. unitum, and N. decompositum, but 
 Hooker unites the second and third of these as mere varieties of 
 one species, whilst he places a fern collected by Frazer at the 
 Teviot Eiver, under the N. unitum of Sieber. Mr. Macgillivray 
 has recently collected some interesting specimens of these ferns, 
 
bb A CONTEIBrTION TO, ETC. 
 
 and at first, I felt some difficulty in distinguishing a variety of iV^. 
 propinq^uum, whicli is reported to have proliferous fronds, from 
 another fern, also gathered by Mr. Macgillivray {Pohjpodium pro- 
 liferum), to which we shall allude hereafter. At first sight, there 
 is a great resemblance between the two ferns, both in the shape 
 of the fronds and in the v6ining, but the position of the sori, as 
 well as the absence of an indusium, must cause them to be placed 
 under difiTerent genera. Mr. Macgillivray, who was a very accurate 
 observer, called my attention to these particulars, and I felt much 
 obliged to him for enabling me to form a satisfactory opinion as 
 to the specific difference of these ferns. 
 
 I believe that N. molle is the only 'one of the three NepJirodia, 
 which seem so intimately connected with each other, that is 
 found near Sydney, but this fern has a very wide range, as Mrs. 
 Porde has recently collected it on the cliffs of the Murray near 
 Blanch Town. With respect to N. decomposititm, the frond of 
 which is much more divided than any of the preceding, I confess 
 that I feel considerable difficulty, as Hooker has united so many 
 forms that are generally regarded as distinct, amongst which are 
 ^ microsorum, iV^ glabellum, Lastrea acuminata, and N. tenerum. It 
 would be difficult for any one, who has not had an opportunity of 
 examining all the intermediate forms of this variable fern, to ar- 
 rive at the same conclusion as the venerable Hooker. In the 
 opinion of several intelligent observers, who have forwarded to 
 me specimens representing the most marked varieties of the 
 species, there seems so wide a difference between the type of the 
 species and Lastrea acuminata, that such a variation is regarded 
 as something more than an accidental deviation. I have- seen 
 specimens of this fern from the neighbourhood of Parramatta, 
 the gullies of the county of Camden, the Blue Mountains, the 
 Macleay, and the Clarence ; and unless I had the authority of 
 botanists so distinguished as Sir W. Hooker and Dr. ~E. Mueller 
 for believing that the varying forms belong to one and the same 
 species, I should be inclined to an opposite opinion. As, how- 
 ever, I have had occasion to remark previously, in reference to 
 another species, there may be so gradual a transition from one 
 form to another, that we must either adopt the views of these 
 eminent men, and make one species, or consider every variety a 
 distinct species, which, I suppose, few who have studied the sub- 
 
AUSTEALli.l!i FEBNS. 67 
 
 ject, would be disposed to do. NepJirolepis (from nepJiros, a kid- 
 ney, and lepis, a scale, in allusion to the scale-like kidney-shaped 
 indusium), is a genus separated from Nephrodlum, from which it 
 differs principally in habit, creeping caudex, and articulated 
 pinnse, although it must be confessed that these characters are by 
 no means uniform. JST. ticberosa was collected near the Brisbane 
 Eiver by Dr. T. Mueller, and near the Teviot by Frazer, and it 
 is remarkable for its large oval scaly tubers, as well as its 
 elongated and pendulous fronds in the variety iV. pendtda. iV. 
 exaltata is thought by some authors to be closely allied to the pre- 
 ceding, and it is one of the genus frequently cultivated. It is 
 found principally in tropical Australia, and is common in many 
 parts of the East and West Indies. N. ohliterata is a very inter- 
 esting species, " climbing on trees and adhering to them like 
 ivy," and it derives its specific name from the fugitive character 
 of its indusium. The caudex is very long and filiform, with 
 fronds from three to fourteen inches long, and pinnated. This 
 species was found originally in Australia by Sir Joseph Banks, 
 and subsequently by Cunningham and Dr. Mueller. Sir William 
 Macarthur, when collecting specimens for the Exhibition, ob- 
 tained some plants of it in the Illawarra district, and I have seen 
 specimens of the same species from the Richmond Biver and also 
 from the Bulli Mountain, the latter of which were collected by 
 Miss Scott. This is regarded as a well marked species, " which 
 though varying in the size and somewhat in the form of the pin- 
 nules, is yet easily recognised." In the long creeping caudex 
 and scattered stipites, it is peculiar in the genus, and the pinnaB 
 are not distinctly articulated. N. acuta was found by Cunning- 
 ham in tropical Australia, and it seems to be a species widely dis- 
 tributed throughout the warmer parts of the world. In this re- 
 view, it will be seen that several of the species now referred to 
 Nephrolepis, were formerly regarded as species of Neplirodiwn ; 
 and indeed if we consider the articulation of the stipites with the 
 rhizoma as the principal mark of distinction between the two 
 genera, there may be some ground for uniting them again. The 
 fact is that the separation arises more from the general opinion 
 of botanists, than from any well marked technical characters ; 
 and Hooker seems to retain the genus more in deference to the 
 majority of fern authors than from any well-grounded conviction 
 
68 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 of his own. Berkeley has well remarked, that if the articulation 
 of the stipites with the rhizoma be regarded as a good mark for 
 division (as suggested by Smith), some species oi Nephrodium and 
 Nephrohpis will be placed in one group, and some in another. 
 Until, therefore, botanists can agree to adopt some better ar- 
 rangement, it seems most judicious to follow the division sug- 
 gested by Hooker, and pay deference to "habit" rather than 
 " technical character." 
 
 When Sir William Hooker was engaged in studying the order 
 now under consideration, he seems to have entertained some 
 doubt as to the propriety of separating Nephrodium and Nepliro- 
 lepis from the old genus Aspidium, because he found some diffi- 
 culty in maintaining under three distinct genera, species which 
 closely resemble each other in the venation, and in the form of 
 the indusium. Sir William, however, followed the views of 
 Eichard in Michaux, Brown, and Desvaux, merely remarking 
 " Entire dependence is not to be placed either on the exact uni- 
 formity of the venation, nor even on the shape of the involucres. 
 These latter do occasionally vary, sometimes orbicular, sometimes 
 cordate on the same species, and sometimes the form and the 
 point of insertion, seem to be intermediate between the two." 
 Dr. E. Mueller, in arranging the species ol the order, places JSfe- 
 phrodiwni and Neplirolepis in the genus Aspidium, as follows : A. 
 melanocaulon, found by Dallachy in Dalrymple's Grap ; A. teneri- 
 caule collected in several parts of Eastern Australia, especially 
 at Clarence Eiver by Mr. Macgillivray ; A. Mspidum, occurring 
 near Cape Otway ; A. aculeatum, common in many parts of Aus- 
 tralia ; A. aristatum, a plant resembling the preceding, and grow- 
 ing at the Hastings, Illawarra, and Eockingham Bay ; A. coria- 
 ceum, apparently somewhat rare, from Cape Howe to Hopkins's 
 Eiver; A. molle {Nephrodium), having a very wide range; A. 
 unitum {Neplirodium) , collected at Clarence Eiver by Mr. Mac- 
 gillivray &c., &Q', A. extensum {Neplirodiutii) discovered by Mr. 
 C. Moore at Duck Creek, Eichmond Eiver ; A. oUiteratum (JVe- 
 pJirolepis), collected at Illawarra by Sir William Macarthur, at 
 Berrima by Mr. C. Moore, at the Macleay by Dr. Beckler, at 
 the Eichmond by Mr. C. Moore, and at Eockingham Bay by Mr. 
 Dallachy. A. exaltatwn {Nephrolepis) gathered at Dunk Island 
 by Mr. Macgillivray, at Teviot Eiver by Erazer, &c., &c; A 
 
ArSTRALIAN FERNS. 69 
 
 tuberosum {Nephrolepis), found at the Teviot, Brisbane, Clarence 
 and Macleay Elvers; and A. decomposifum {Neplirodium) ranging" 
 from Cape Otway to Eockingham Bay, and collected at Penola 
 by tbe Eev. J. E. Woods. 
 
 The last mentioned species is a very variable one, and sometimes 
 occurring without indusia. Dr. F. Mueller mentions two lead- 
 ing varieties, A. marginans and A. tenervm. The specimens of ^. 
 tenericaule {Nephrodimn) forwarded to me by Mr. Macgillivray 
 resemble some forms of Hypolepis or Polypod'mm, as they appear 
 without indusium (for which Mr. Macgillivray assures me he 
 searched in vain), but there can be no hesitation in saying that 
 the plant in question is the same as that figured in the fourth 
 volume of the Species Filicmn, the involucre or indusium there 
 being represented as obsolete. Hooker, however, states that 
 sometimes it has a very small indusium of a cordate reniform 
 shape and membranaceous. This fact should lead pteridophilists 
 to be cautious in determining species without comparing speci- 
 mens from different localities, for it really seems in this instance, 
 that the fern which in some places looks like a Hypolepis or Poly- 
 podium, occurs in others as a true Neplirodium. Much difficulty 
 respecting the varieties of Polypodium rugosulum and Hypolepis 
 dicksomoide's, has arisen from want of properly estimating the ex- 
 indusiate forms of Neplirodium. 
 
 SuB-OEDER 9. — Folyfodiece. 
 
 This extensive suborder includes those ferns which have not 
 any involucre or indusium, but naked sori of a round or oblong 
 shape. The genus Polypodium is so called because some of the 
 species ha^ve a multitude of roots which form close entangled 
 patches, the word being a compound of poly " many," and pons, 
 podos, "a foot." According to Sir W. Hooker, Polypodium com- 
 prises Campyloneuron, Grammitis, Arthropteris, and some other 
 so called genera, as that distinguished author preferred arranging 
 them in separate sections under one great genus, rather than 
 maintaining as independent genera several groups of plants which 
 have " no tangible character." In the genus Polypodium the 
 veins are either free or netted, and the species differ very much 
 in size, structure, and habit. Without dwelling upon the various 
 subdivisions of the genus, it may be sufficient for my present 
 purpose to remark, that the Australian species may be con- 
 
70 A co^^tributiojS" to, etc. 
 
 viently placed in two sections, tlie one comprising the Polypodia, 
 which have free veins, and the other, those which have veins 
 more or less anastomosing or netted. It is true that this ar- 
 rangement appears to separate some ferns agreeing in habit and 
 appearance (such for instance as . tenellum, and . Billardieri) ; 
 but on the whole it will be found most convenient for the study 
 of the genus. In the first section the species are very limited, 
 viz., P. Australe, P. tenellum, P. grammitidis, and P. rugosulmn. 
 The first of these is Brown's Qrammitis Australis, a small fern, 
 with simple or undivided fronds of a linear lanceolate shape, 
 seldom exceeding two or three inches in length, and growing in 
 dense p'atches on the sides of moist rocks. It is common in 
 many parts of Australia, and is widely distributed in other parts 
 of the world. P. tenellum is a very elegant fern with a climbing 
 habit, pinnate fronds, and the stipites jointed above the base. 
 This is the Arthropteris tenella of Smith, the pinnae being arti- 
 culated to the rachis ; and it is mentioned by Berkeley as " a 
 most observable point," that the New Zealand species has no in- 
 dusium; "a striking proof," he remarks, " of the comparatively 
 small value of the indusium." This remark was made on the sup- 
 position that the genus Arthropteris could be maintained, and 
 that A. tenella and A. albo-punctata were very nearly allied ; but 
 Sir William takes a different view of the species, and whilst 
 he retains the one without an indusium in the genus Polypo- 
 dium, he refers the other with the reniform sori, to N'epJirodium. 
 I have alluded in my introductory remarks to the difficulty of mak- 
 ing any systematic arrangement of ferns which is not open to ob- 
 jection, and certainly the case before us furnishes an instance ; 
 for it must be admitted that the ferns in question resemble each 
 other in the climbing caudex, and jointed stipites, whilst in other 
 respects they differ so materially as to render it necessary to place 
 them in different genera. P. tenellum is frequently found adhering 
 to the caudices of tree ferns, as well as on Quintinia Sieberi, Poly- 
 osma Cunninghamiy and other trees which are usually seen in the 
 dark moist forests where the trap formation prevails. This 
 species occurs not only in Australia, but also in New Zealand 
 and many islands of the Pacific. P. grammitidis is generally des- 
 cribed as a Tasmanian or New Zealand plant, but Dr. Mueller 
 has found it on the South-eastern parts of Australia, and he 
 
ArSTEALIAN TEEJfS 71 
 
 mentions it also as one of the ferns in the Chatham Islands. The 
 fronds vary in form, being sometimes linear and sometimes pin- 
 natisected. P. rugosulum is much more divided than the preced- 
 ing species, and it has a rough and somewhat wrinkled appear- 
 ance. The fronds vary in size from a few inches to three or four 
 feet in length, and are tripinnate. Dr. Mueller has justly re- 
 marked that some of the varieties bear great resemblance to the 
 exindusiate form of Nephrodium velutinum, and others to Hypole- 
 pis tenuifolia. Mr. Macgillivray has lately collected some speci- 
 mens at the Clarence, which at first sight I was disposed to con- 
 sider as varieties of P. rugosulum ; but subsequent examination, 
 and the opinion expressed by Dr. Mueller in reference to one of 
 these forms, induce me to think that one of the specimens is Hy- 
 polepis, and the other a Nephrodium {N. tenerum ?) from which 
 the indusia have fallen. Some time since I met with a great 
 quantity of N. decompositum in a similar state, and it was not un- 
 til I had examined numerous fronds, that I succeeded in finding 
 a young plant with the indusia visible on it. In some varieties 
 ofNephrodiii/in,t\iQmdi\\Bmm is of a very fugitive character, and hence 
 the possibility of referring to Polypodium, species which do not 
 properly belong to that genus. P. rugosulum, in different va- 
 rieties, is widely distributed not only in Australia, New Zealand, 
 and the islands of the Pacific, but also in India, South America, 
 &c. Sir William Hooker includes the Norfolk Island Cheilanthes 
 DicJcsonioides or Hypolepis Dicksonioides amongst the varieties of 
 this species. In the second section of the genus the veins are 
 more or less anastomosing or netted, and by some botanists the 
 species are referred to eight different genera. The first Austra- 
 lian species is P. pcBcilophlehiuon (so called from the varying veins 
 on the same frond), which was collected on Dunk Island, north- 
 east coast of Australia, by Mr. Macgillivray. Whether this is 
 really a Polypodium or not seems rather uncertain, but as far as 
 can be determined from the venation, the species is correctly 
 placed. Near this fern must be considered the Campyloneuron 
 which Dr. Mueller discovered on the north-west coast of this 
 continent (see " Botanical Report on the North Australian Ex- 
 pedition under the command of A. C. Grregory, Esq"). The 
 genus Campyloneuron was established from the peculiarity of the 
 venation, the primary veins being pinnate, parallel, and connected 
 
72 A CONTRIBUTIO?^^ TO, ETC. 
 
 by curved or transverse veins ; but Hooker, not regarding this 
 character as sufficient for generic distinction, includes the so- 
 called genus amongst the species of JPoli/podium. Dr. Mueller's 
 discovery will, doubtless, prove interesting, as the allied species 
 are principally American and West Indian plants. The species 
 next in order are by some authors referred to Niphoholus, on ac- 
 count of the stellated hairs or tomentum with which the fronds 
 are clothed on the under surface ; but this character is too arti- 
 ficial to render such a division necessary, and therefore P. an- 
 gustatum, P. acrosticJioides, P. rupestre, and P. confiuens, are re- 
 tained as species of Polypodium. The first two of these occur 
 principally in the north-eastern pa'rt of this continent, and the 
 second is remarkable for having the longest and narrowest fronds, 
 in proportion to their length, of any of the group, some being 
 three feet long. There is some difficulty respecting P. rupestre 
 and P. confluens, and probably they are mere varieties of one 
 species, although in the diposition of the sori and the size of the 
 fronds they seem distinct. The first form is very common on 
 moist shady rocks in creeks, and is widely distributed in Eastern 
 Australia. It has fronds of two shapes, the sterile one being 
 obovate or roundish, and the fertile, linear-lanceolate, gradually 
 tapering into the stalk. In the barren fronds, the veins unite in 
 a net-like manner, but somewhat irregular, whilst some of the 
 veinlets are free in the areoles. As the fronds become elongated 
 and fertile, a midrib is partially developed, and the areoles in- 
 crease in length. The venation resembles that of P. Billardieri, 
 but it is sunk in the frond, and scarcely perceptible in a dried 
 specimen. The fronds which I have collected seldom exceed 
 three or four inches in length, and not a quarter of an inch in 
 width, whilst the fructification is very copious and closely packed 
 together on the upper half of the frond. In the variety of this 
 fern which occurs plentifully on Ash Island, and for specimens of 
 which I am indebted to the kindness of Miss Scott, the fertile 
 fronds are sometimes more than a foot in length, and half an inch 
 in width, being more glabrous than the preceding, and having the 
 fructification confluent near the apex. Before I had read Sir 
 "William Hooker's descriptions of these ferns, I thought that the 
 Ash Island variety was Brown's P. confiuens, for many of the 
 specimens procured by that illustrious author came from Hunter's 
 
ATTSTEALIA2?- FEENS. 73 
 
 Eiver ; but this opinion can scarcely be reconciled with the views 
 of Hooker, who appears to have founded his remarks on certain 
 specimens collected by Cunningham on the Brisbane, and Dr. 
 Mueller, in Northern Australia. As the venation and habit of 
 the Ash Island variety are very similar to the P. rupestre and P. 
 confluens of Hooker, it seems to me highly probable that all of 
 these ferns are merely forms of one species, varying according to 
 the soil, heat, and moisture of the place in which they occur. 
 Thus, for instance, the quantity of stellated hairs and tomentum, 
 as well as the size of the fronds, may be considered as influenced by 
 surrounding circumstances ; whilst probably the increased length 
 of the fronds may lead to the diminution of the fructification. P. 
 attenuatwn has very smooth fronds of a linear-lanceolate shape, 
 with a w^ell defined midrib and the veins scarcely perceptible, 
 whilst the sori are large, of a globular shape, and arranged in a 
 single row on each side of the midrib. The texture of this fern 
 is coriaceous and the petiole somewhat compressed and marginate, 
 whilst the full sized frond is generally about two feet in length. 
 Nearly allied to this, is P. CunningJiami, a New Zealand species 
 frequently associated with the preceding, but, according to 
 Hooker distinct from it. P. irioides, as well as the preceding, 
 is found principally in North-Eastern Australia, and it seems 
 scarcely to diff*er from P. musoefolivm of the Oriental Archipelago. 
 The specific name suggests the resemblance which the fronds 
 bear to the leaves of the iris. These are sometimes three feet 
 long, of a firm, fleshy texture, very smooth, and of an elongated 
 lanceolate shape. M. Thozet, of Eockhampton, has cultivated 
 this fern with success, but the plants which he kindly sent to the 
 writer of this article, did not seem adapted to the climate of 
 Parramatta, for they perished in the cold weather. The long 
 climbing ferns generally referred to P. pustulatum, P. memlra- 
 nifolium, P. diversifolimn, and P. Billardieri, are now united by 
 Dr. Mueller ;in one species, viz., P. scandens, a name which he 
 justly remarks is " exquisitely appropriate." In one form or 
 other this species is widely distributed in Australia, and flourishes 
 most luxuriantly in dark, moist woods. It is not so much ad- 
 mired as P. tenellttm, but as it climbs up the huge trees of the 
 forest, it is an interesting object. It may be found within a few 
 miles of Sydney, but the finest plants of the species occur on 
 
74 A CONTEIBrTION TO, ETC. 
 
 the Blue Mountains, and other places not too much exposed to 
 the salt air. Mr. Macgillivray has recently noticed some forms 
 of these plants on the Eichmond, and he evidently regarded them 
 as distinct species, the one being uniformly a more coriaceous 
 plant than the other. Hooker's P. quercifolium is a tropical 
 species, and distinguished by having the sterile fronds variously 
 lobed often half-way to the midrib. The fertile frond is pinnatifid 
 with the segments oblong acuminate, and the sori are small and 
 numerous. The allied species P. diversifoUum of the same author 
 was collected on the Blue Mountains by Miss Atkinson, and in 
 tropical Australia by others. Sir W. Hooker regards "Willdenow's 
 plant as a variety of P. scandens, but Brown does not intimate 
 that his P. diversifoUum is allied to the scandent species. As 
 the country to the north becomes opened up, and favourable lo- 
 calities are carefully examined by intelligent observers, these 
 ferns will be better known, and we shall be able to form a correct 
 opinion as to the protean appearances of the climbing Polypodia. 
 Dr. r. Mueller has recently expressed an opinion that many of 
 the forms, formerly regarded as distinct species, may be more 
 properly considered mere varieties ; and if Sir William Hooker 
 had been spared to complete his great work, he had intended to 
 publish a " Synopsis Filicum," with a view of omitting all 
 dubious ferns, and of checking what he considered " the unneces- 
 sary multiplication of species." P. proliferum, which has some- 
 times been referred to Nephrodium, has recently been found at 
 the E-ichmond Eiver by Mr. Macgillivray. The fronds are gla- 
 brous, somewhat coriaceous, and pinnated, being repeatedly pro- 
 liferous at the apices and axils of the pinnae, and they are gene- 
 rally about two feet long, with pinnse from three to six inches 
 long. The veins sometimes connive and form a continued vein oi* 
 costule, as in Neplirodium unitum. P. verrucosum has also been 
 found at Eockingham Bay, and seems to be identical with the 
 species occurring at Penang, Singapore, &c, It is a distinct and 
 handsome species. 
 
 SuB-OEDEE 10. — Grammitidece. 
 
 Next to the genus Pohjpodium, Sir William Hooker describes 
 
 the suborder Grammitidece, which includes several genera with 
 
 sori more or less oblong or linear, and destitute of any involucre. 
 
 *' The Grammitidece are distinguished by the generally very elong- 
 
ATJSTEALIUT PEEKS. 75 
 
 ated narrow naked sori, simple or branched or variously anasto- 
 mosing, arising from the veins or extending to the parenchyme." 
 (Hooker). Those genera with which we are more immediately 
 concerned are (1.) Notliocldcena ; (2.) Gymnogramme ; (3.) Meni- 
 scmm ; (4.) Antrophyum ; (5.) Vittaria. The first was so called 
 from nothos, spurious, and chlaina, a cloak, because the sori are 
 not enclosed in a genuine indusium, being for the most part 
 covered by the paless of the frond. Four species {N. distans, N. 
 nudiuscula, iVl lanuginosa^ and N. pumilio) are enumerated, but it 
 seems very doubtful whether two of these can be retained. In- 
 deed it is difficult to define the limits of the genus itself, for some 
 of the species have the habit and sori of Oheilanthes, whilst others 
 press closely upon Gymnogramme. N. distans is one of our small- 
 est ferns, and very widely distributed throughout Australia. The 
 fronds are hairy above, and paleaceous beneath, seldom exceeding 
 six to eight inches in length, with the lower pinnae distant from 
 each other. N. lanuginosa is a species common to Spain and the 
 warmer regions of the Mediterranean, as well as to several parts 
 of Australia. The whole of this plant is densely clothed with 
 soft white or rusty wool. Gymnogi^amme (from gymnos, naked ; 
 and gramme a line) derives its name from the linear arrangement 
 of the naked sori on the forked veins of the frond. G. leptophylla 
 is found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, as well as in Aus- 
 tralia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. Its northern limit is said 
 to be Jersey, the only locality in the British Isles. Dr. Mueller 
 found it in Victoria, and Mr. Oldfield, in Western Australia, but 
 this little fern, so interesting from its association with other 
 regions, is by no means common in Australia. G. rutcefolia is also 
 a diminutive species, very general in some parts of this country, 
 but not occurring, I believe, on the sandstone formation. The 
 form of the frond resembles the leaves of the common rue, and it 
 is clothed with hairs on all sides, being in no way specifically dis- 
 tinct from the Spanish variety. The next species G. papaverifoliay 
 some specimens of which Sir T. Mitchell collected in Tropical 
 Australia, may be united with the preceding, as there are in- 
 termediate specimens connecting the two. One of the most re- 
 markable species of the genus is G. Muelleri from Fort Cooper, 
 North-eastern Australia, which was collected by Edward M. 
 Bowman, Esq., and subsequently cultivated by M. Thozet, of 
 
76 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 Eockhampton. Sir W. Hooker, in his remarks on this fern, says, 
 " It would be idle to speak of the great acquirements and the un- 
 bounded liberality of the prince of Australian botanists. Dr. 
 Mueller, P.E.S., of London, and G-overnment botanist of Mel- 
 bourne, who must ever rank with the noble-hearted Dr. "Wallich 
 amongst botanists. To Dr. Mueller I owe the only specimens 
 of this very remarkable fern that have yet been detected." G. 
 Muelleri does not exceed six or eight inches in length, and has 
 pinnae alternate and rather distant, of an inch long and somewhat 
 ovate in shape, clothed on the upper side with dense white scales, 
 and on the lower with rusty ones. There is an excellent figure 
 of this fern in the Species Pilicum, and if it be compared with that 
 of Ceterach, which has sometimes been referred to Gymnogramme, 
 but latterly to Asplenium, many points of resemblance may be 
 traced between the two ferns, especially in the thick fleshy fronds, 
 the dense scales, and immersed forked veins, G. Muelleri has no 
 indusium, unless the membranous ridge which exists on the re- 
 ceptacles just behind the sori be regarded as one. Ceterach is also 
 destitute of that organ ; but Sir W. Hooker, reasoning from ana- 
 logy, contends that the latter fern is allied to Asplenium alternans, 
 and therefore cannot be placed in the genus Gymnogramme. 
 It was not known to the illustrious author that any species of 
 Menisdum was indigenous in Australia, as it is not long since 
 that at Eockingham Bay, a new species of it was discovered, a 
 description of which may be seen in the 4th vol. of Dr. Mueller's 
 Fragmenta, p. 165. This fern is named M. Kennedyi, in honour 
 of Mr. Kennedy, and it is reported to be a superb plant, allied to 
 M. proliferum, which is now referred to a section of Polyp odium. 
 To the genus Meniscium belong several species remarkable for 
 their cresent-shaped sori, which are somewhat parallel and 
 placed across the spaces between the veins of the frond. Some 
 of these ferns approach so near to Hooker's section Goniopteris, 
 that it is not easy to distinguish between them, and indeed with 
 the exception of shape in the sori, they agree in all respects with 
 Polypodium. The word Meniscium is said to be derived from mene, 
 the moon, in allusion to the shape of the sori. Antrophyum (from 
 antron, a cavern, and phyo, to grow, in reference to its native 
 place of habitation), has latterly found two representatives in 
 Australia in the species A. plantagineum and A. semicostatum, 
 
AUSTEALIAN FEENS. 
 
 77 
 
 which Dr. F. Mueller reports have been collected near Eocking- 
 ham Bay. This fern is a foot or more in length, of a linear- 
 lanceolate shape, with sori immersed, and anastomosing (that is 
 causing an angular or netted formation from the union of the 
 veins), and occupying the whole of the frond. The genus Vit- 
 taria, of which one species occurs in Australia, viz., V. rigida, is 
 so called on account of the narrow ribbon-like appearance of the 
 fronds which resemble simple-leaved grass-like plants. V. elongata, 
 which is a mere variety of V. rigida, was known to Eobert Brown 
 as a tropical fern, and it was also collected by the late Allan 
 Cunningham and Mr. C. Moore, on our tropical Eastern coast. 
 SuB-OEDER 11. — AcrosticJiece. 
 In tljis suborder, the sori have not any involucre, are on the 
 surface, and apparently cover the whole under side of the frond, 
 or segments with a reniform stratum of capsules. The veins 
 vary considerably, and the fronds are simple or compound, fre- 
 quently of two forms. The first genus for consideration is Acros- 
 tichum, a word derived from acros and stichos, " the commencement 
 of a verse," because the reverse of the fronds indicated traces of 
 lines, resembling the beginning of lines of poetry. As this 
 character, however, does not apply to all the species, it is better 
 to regard Acrosticlium as a genus distinguished by a uniform mass 
 of sori, clothing nearly the whole under side of the fronds, and 
 having simple or compound veins uniting in various ways. A. 
 conforme, A. repandum, A. aureum, A. jpteroides. and A. spicafum, 
 have been found by Dr. ¥. Mueller and others, principally in 
 Tropical Australia, but A. pteroides (of which only a solitary 
 specimen was known to Sir W. Hooker) is regarded as a doubt- 
 ful species. In the next genus, Platy cerium (from platys, broad, 
 and ceras, a horn, in allusion to the shape of the frond) differs 
 from the preceding chiefly in having only a portion of the under 
 side of the frond covered with sori. The fronds are also large, 
 and of two shapes, the new annual fronds being as it were im- 
 posed upon the old withered and dead ones. P. alcicorne is 
 a very common fern in Australia, and generally grows on rocks 
 01* trees, being well known under the popular name " Staghorn." 
 P. grande, which occurs in the northern parts of the colony, and 
 in the north-eastern coast of Australia, has fronds sometimes five 
 or six feet long, and seems identical with the species found at 
 Singapore. 
 
78 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 The AcrosticliecB are generally of a coarser nature than other 
 ferns, and they differ from them in having the spore cases not 
 merely on the veins, but also occupying the parenchymal in- 
 terstices themselves. The thick spongy fronds of Platy cerium 
 have been compared to the horns of elks, and the veins of the 
 fertile fronds run down to a stem-like base, differing from any- 
 thing in the suborder. This genus occurs frequently in New 
 South "Wales, from Illawarra to the Burnett, but Acrostichum be- 
 longs to the North and North-eastern parts of Australia. Eock- 
 ingham Bay seems a very favourable locality for some of the 
 species. A. aureum is widely dispersed throughout the world, 
 being found in most tropical and sub- tropical countries, but vary- 
 ing considerably in shape. At Aneiteum, some of the pinnae are 
 reported to be a foot and a half long, and three inches broad. 
 Brown's A. fraxinifolium is now referred to this species, as well 
 as several others formerly regarded as distinct. With regard to 
 A. pteroides, which does not appear to have come under the no- 
 tice of Dr. Mueller, the species is certainly remarkable, and it is 
 to be hoped that travellers in Tropical Australia may fall in with 
 it, as probably it may belong to another genus. 
 SrB-ORDER 12. — Schizceacecd. 
 
 Having followed the arrangement of Sir "W. Hooker, through 
 the preceding suborders, I now proceed to consider the Sub-orders 
 (12) SchizceacecB, (13) OsmundacecB, (14) Danceacece and (15) 
 Opliioglossacecs, which that eminent Botanist was not permitted 
 to review. In the conclusion to the 5th vol., of the " Species 
 Mlicum,^' he remarked that it had been his intention to include 
 Osmundacecd and Ophioglossaccde in that volume, but that he found 
 the material too bulky, and then he adds, with becoming humility, 
 " the author is preparing, if his life and health be spared to ac- 
 complish it, a volume to be entitled " Synopsis Pilicum," and to 
 add to it all needful corrections and alterations, and additional 
 species that had come into his possession during the twenty years 
 his work had been in progress." Sir William did not live to 
 complete the work he had designed, and therefore, I must now 
 turn with feelings of deep regret, to other authors for the classi- 
 fication of the remaining suborders. Before doing so, however, 
 I am sure it will not be deemed irrelevant, to pause for a moment 
 and acknowledge the services, which that distinguished botanist 
 
ATJSTEALIAN PEE^TS 79 
 
 rendered to the cause of science. Having passed the term of 
 years usually allotted to man, he enjoyed a reputation to which 
 few can hope to attain. He was indeed highly favoured by 
 Divine Providence ; whilst the whole course of his life, even to 
 within a few days of its termination, was an illustration of the 
 great results which can be accomplished by the steady pursuit of 
 any branch of science. Not long since, the late Sir Benjamin 
 Brodie exhibited a remarkable instance of this truth, for by pur- 
 suing his favourite studies without suffering himself to be diverted 
 from what he deemed the main object of his life, he rose by de- 
 grees to be the most eminent surgeon of the day, and for a num- 
 ber of years maintained the high character he had acquired. In 
 like manner. Sir William Hooker became most illustrious in 
 another branch of science, and for upwards of half a century ren- 
 dered the most important services to his fellow-creatures by de- 
 veloping the resources of the vegetable kingdom in a series of 
 volumes which will long continue as monuments of his indomit- 
 able perseverance, sound judgment, and surpassing talent. With- 
 out referring to his works in general, I feel it a duty to mention 
 two matters in particular in which Sir William Hooker has lat- 
 terly advanced the cause of science in this colony, viz., in the 
 first place, by laying the foundation of the Mora Australiensis, 
 now in course of publication under the auspices of Mr. Bentham 
 and Dr. F. Mueller, and arranging systematically in his Species 
 Filicum, all the species of Australian ferns which were known at 
 the time of the publication of that great work. 
 
 The SchizceacecB comprise a group of ferns, differing very widely 
 in appearance and character from others, and they are distin- 
 guished by their spore cases being oval or oblong, seldom globose, 
 and sessile, opening vertically on their outside. They have a 
 striated apex, analogous to a transverse ring, produced on con- 
 tracted marginal lobules, or special appendices, in the form of 
 either simple, racemose, or paniculate contracted fronds or spike- 
 lets. In this suborder, we have to consider only two genera 
 Schizcea and Lygodium. ScJiizcea (from schizo, to divide) is so 
 called, because the spore-cases are arranged on the linear seg- 
 ments at the apex of the fronds, and Lygodivm (from lygodes, 
 flexible), because the species have a twining habit. In the latter 
 genus, the sori are on marginal appendices, forming numerous 
 
80 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 linear spikelets. Tlie fronds sometimes twine from twenty to 
 forty feet, and the pinnae are usually conjugate, lobed, palmate, 
 pinnatifid, pinnate or bipinnate. The species of Scliizcea are a- 
 mongst the most singular looking ferns known. The fertile appen- 
 dices are terminal, and form a pinnate crest of linear segments, 
 and in their appearance, they may be compared to dried leaves 
 on the top of simple or forked stems. Four species of SchizcBa 
 were described by Brown, viz., S. rupestris, S.Jlstidosa, S. hifida 
 and >S'. dichotoma, but Dr. F. Mueller regards the last two as mere 
 varieties of one species. S. rupestris is a very diminutive plant, 
 generally growing on the caudices of Todea harhara, or amongst 
 mosses on some moist rock by the side of a creek. It seems to 
 be known only at present as occurring at Port Jackson, Parra- 
 matta, and the Blue Mountains, but as the species is very small, 
 and very unlike other ferns, it is probable that collectors in 
 other parts may have passed it by without notice. >S'. hifida is 
 more common and more widely diffused. It is a singular look- 
 ing plant, with its fructification at the extremity of leafless stems, 
 and has so little resemblance to ordinary ferns, that persons un- 
 accustomed to the examination of such plants, might easily pass 
 it by as if were a tuft of some grassy plant in a decaying state. 
 S^.Jistulosa is marked by Brown as a Tasmanian species, but Dr. 
 P. Mueller has recently found it between Wilson's Promontory, 
 and "Western Port. Lygodiwn occurs in the East Indies and 
 America, as well as Australia, and on this continent appears to 
 be limited to two species, both of which are tropical, viz., L. 
 onicrophyllum, and L. semi-hipinnatum. Whether these species are 
 really distinct from those found in other parts of the world, is 
 not altogether clear. It may be remarked that the genus is now 
 divided, the plants with netted veins being referred to Lygodictyon. 
 i. articulatmn is from Kew Zealand, and L. flexuosum and X. 
 scandens (micropliyllum ?) from the East Indies and China. 
 SuB-OEDEE 13. — OsmundacecB. 
 This suborder is now limited to two or three genera, differing 
 in habit and appearance, but having spore-cases, somewhat glo- 
 bose, pedicellate^ reticulated, unilocular, bivalved, with an ob- 
 lique apex, and destitute of a ring. Brown's Osmunda, which is 
 now Todea barbara, is a large fern common on creeks near Sydney, 
 and sometimes assuming the appearance of a dwarf tree fern. 
 
ATJSTEALIAN FEEIfS. 81 
 
 The fronds are glabrous, lanceolate, sub-bipinnate, sometimes ex- 
 ceeding three feet in length, and dilated at the base, where is 
 formed an erect caudiciform rhizome. The sori, which are pedi- 
 cel] ed or stalked, are confined to the inferior pinnules of the 
 frond. This genus was named in honour of Henry Julius Tode, 
 of Mecklenburg, an experienced mycologist. Nearly allied to 
 Todea, is the beautiful species now called Le-pto'pteris Fraseri, in 
 which the spore-cases are placed upon the veins without forming 
 distinct sori, and the fronds are beautifully translucent. This is 
 one of our most admired ferns, and the fronds, which are very 
 delicate and membranous, sometimes measure three feet. The 
 term Leptopteris is derived from leptos, slender, 2in.^pt€ris, a fern, 
 and the specific name is in honour of the late Mr. Eraser. Miss 
 Atkinson found some fine plants of this species at the Kurrajong. 
 L. hymenophylloides is a native of New Zealand, and diff"ers but 
 little from an allied plant recently collected at Aneiteum. 
 Sub-order 14. — DanceacecB, 
 This is a small group, and the few genera of it are so well 
 marked, that they may be recognised in almost every stage of 
 their growth. The fructification consists of large sessile or 
 pedicellate spore-cases, which are either horny, opaque, distinct 
 and unilocular, or laterally and oppositely connate, so becoming 
 multilocular. Marattia elegans, or M. salicina of this suborder, 
 is an ornamental plant with glabrous fronds, bi-tripinnate, six to 
 nine feet high and darkish green. This species was supposed to 
 be peculiar to Norfolk Island and New Zealand, but it was sub- 
 sequently- found at the Island of Ascension, and now within the 
 last year, it has been discovered on the North-east coast of Aus- 
 traha. M. cicutoefolia is from Brazil, and M. alata from Jamaica. 
 It is said that " if a bulb oiM. alata be examined, the base will be 
 found composed of two or more imbricating concave scales, within 
 which the first frond is more or less completely enclosed by two 
 lobes arising on each side at the base. These are never circinate, 
 and cannot be regarded as inferior pinnae, but rather as appendages 
 of the rhizoma, as they grow beneath the point at which the stem 
 disarticulates. In M. cristata, the edge at length becomes green 
 foliaceous, and variously lobed and crisped." (Berkeley's Crypto- 
 gamic Botany, p. 523). The large rhizoma of M. salicina is pre- 
 pared and eaten as food by the New Zealanders. Angiopteris 
 
82 A COIfTEIBTJTION TO, ETC. 
 
 evecta, which has lately been found at Eockingham Bay, has sori 
 linear, continuous, compound and sub-marginal. The spore-cases 
 are obovate, sessile, emarginate and laterally confluent, being ar- 
 ranged in two opposite series. This is an ornamental fern, with 
 tripinnate fronds from six to ten feet high, of a deep olive 
 green, and a native of the East Indies, the Mauritius, Bourbon, &c. 
 Lindley remarks that *he fragrant leaves of A. evecta, are said 
 to be employed in the Sandwich Islands to perfume the cocoa-nut 
 oil. 
 
 SuB-OBDEB l^.-^OpJiioglossacea. 
 
 The suborder Ophioglossacecd or Adder's Tongues, are techni- 
 cally termed " Filical Acrogens, with^ingless, distinct two-valved 
 spore-cases, formed on the margin of a contracted leaf" Of this 
 suborder, two minute species formerly existed in the immediate 
 neighbourhood of Sydney, but they are now seldom seen there. 
 These are O. graminevm, and O. costatum, small delicate plants, 
 the one with grassy nerveless leaves, and the other with oblong- 
 lanceolate one-nerved fronds. 0. pendulum, Dr. Mueller kindly 
 informs me, is also a native of Eastern Australia, usually parasi- 
 tical on Platycerivm. It occurs in Queensland and occasionally 
 farther south. BotrycMum belongs to the same order, and de- 
 rives its name from Botrys, a bunch, on account of the bunch-like 
 form of its fructification. B. Australe occurs sparingly in Eastern 
 Australia, and seems scarcely to differ from B. virginicum, the 
 largest of the North American species. In New Zealand Botry- 
 chium is used as a pot-herb, and sheep are said to be so fond of it, 
 that it is difficult to procure specimens where they have access. 
 SelmintTiostacJiys (from Hehninthos, of an earth worm, and stachys, 
 a spike, in allusion to the worm-like disposition of the sporangia) 
 is similar in habit to the last genus, and has whorls of spore-cases, 
 opening vertically and surmounted by a crested appendage. The 
 species S. Zeylanica has recently been found near B.ockingham 
 Bay. (Erag. vol. 4, p. 166.) 
 
 In Dr. E. Mueller's list of Australian ferns, O. gramineum and 
 O. costatum are referred to O. vulgatum. Botrychium australe, or 
 JB. virginicum is united with B. ternatum, and it is stated that B, 
 lunaria has been found on the Australian Alps. Ophioglossuni 
 vulgatu/m is becoming very rare in New South Wales, but there 
 can be no doubt that it wiU be seen ever^ now and then in places 
 
AtJSTRALtAN FEENS. 8S 
 
 not accessible to sheep. Miss Atkinson recently found some on 
 a hill near Berrima, and Mrs. Selkirk noticed it, in considerable 
 quantities, in the Episcopal Churchyard at Eichmond. 
 
 From a review of the ferns of Australia, so far as they are 
 hitherto known, it appears that the species described are about 
 160, being more than those indigenous in New Zealand. Accord- 
 ing to a recent estimate, those islands are said to present by far 
 the richest assemblage of ferns in the south temperate zone, 
 nearly 120 species, besides many marked varieties. The ferns of 
 Tasmania are, with few exceptions, identical with those of JN'ew 
 Zealand; and in Australia there are more species common to 
 both countries than was formerly supposed, as the variations of 
 some forms are not now regarded as distinct species. About 
 twenty ofour ferns occur in Norfolk Island, and eleven are similar 
 to European ones, of which last number " the occurrence of the 
 rather common Australian and New Zealand Gymnogrmivnie rutce- 
 folia in the Pyrenees, where it is extremely scarce, and no where 
 else in the whole world, so far as is known, is one of the most re- 
 markable facts in the distribution of plants that has ever been 
 made known." Recent discoveries in North-Eastern Australia 
 have revealed to us some widely distributed species identical with 
 the East Indian ferns, and those of the Oriental Archipelago, 
 amongst which Diplazium poli/podioides (collected by Mr. Dallachy, 
 at Rockingham Bay, and lately by Mr. Macgillivray, on the Rich- 
 mond River) is one of the most interesting. Within the last few 
 years, great progress has been made in ascertaining the geo- 
 graphical distribution of species, and the probable identity of 
 plants formerly regarded as distinct, but from the materials before 
 us, abundant as they are when compared with former researches, 
 it is evident that much remains to be elucidated before any com- 
 parative tables of the ferns common to different countries can be 
 implicitly relied on. The first great step towards the investi- 
 gation of Australian ferns was the publication of Robert Brown's 
 " Prodromus Florce NovcBSollandicB ;^ and it is astonishing, after 
 the lapse of half a century, to find that recent explorers have not 
 added to the descriptions of that illustrious botanist more well- 
 marked species than they have done. In comparing the species 
 known to Brown with those enumerated in the late work of Sir 
 William Hooker, the reflecting mind is led to appreciate more 
 
84 A COTfTEIBTTTION TO, ETC. 
 
 tully the wonderful labours manifested in the " ProdromusJ' and 
 to admire the profound talents and unwearied industry of its dis- 
 tinguished author, so " that the universal consent of botanists 
 recognises 'most justly the title conferred on him by his illustrious 
 friend, Alexander Yon Humboldt, of " Botanicorum facile Prin- 
 ceps." No person was more capable of forming an opinion of 
 Brown's merits as a writer on ferns than the late Sir William 
 Hooker, and that learned author, in the Preface to the " Species 
 Mlicum,'" says " had he given hif? master-mind to the complete 
 development of the subject, little would have remained to his 
 successor, but to tread closely in his steps." The mantle indeed 
 fell upon Hooker, but that eminent ^nd venerable writer was 
 not permitted to accomplish the great work of which five volumes 
 have already been made known to the world ; for having lived 
 beyond the ordinary period of human existence, he has left for 
 others to fill up the details of that extensive plan which he had 
 so ably devised. 
 
 Before I close this paper, I must also express the obligation I 
 feel to Dr. T. Mueller for the list of Australian ferns published 
 in the Botanical Eeport on the North Australian Expedition, and 
 also for the description of some new species in his Fragmenta 
 PJiytographicd Australia, as well as the valuable information fur- 
 nished by him respecting interesting ferns supposed to be iden- 
 tical with those in other parts of the world. It is the ardent wish 
 of the writer that Dr. Mueller's life may be spared to accomplish 
 the works on which he is engaged, for perhaps there is no botanist 
 now living who is so well acquainted with Australian ferns, or 
 who, from extensive investigations and well exercised philoso- 
 phical habits, is so well qualified to clear away the difficulties of 
 the subject. In his valuable sketch of the vegetation of the 
 Chatham Islands, the doctor has already made some very judicious 
 remarks on the ferns of this part of the world, and his main 
 object has lately been to give a short account of what is really 
 known to the present day of our Australian species. As his work 
 is published in Latin, and circulated amongst the learned in all 
 parts of the world, it will afford the means of making our ferns 
 extensively known, and at the same time it will enable those who 
 are preparing popular articles, (such as that in which I have lately 
 been engaged), to correct any inaccuracies into which they may 
 
AUSTllALIA?^ TEENS. 85 
 
 have fallen. A man so intensely occupied in scientific pursuits 
 as the doctor is, and who from fondness for elucidating the 
 mysteries of the vegetable kingdom, scarcely allows himself an oc- 
 casional hour for relaxation, should recollect that there is a limit 
 for human exertions, and that no constitution how strong soever 
 it may be, can long endure almost incessant demands made upon 
 it. This fact appears to have been well understood by an eminent 
 octogenarian recently removed from an exalted sphere of useful- 
 ness, and it would be well if Dr. T. Mueller, resting for a while 
 on the world-wide reputation he has acquired, would take the ad- 
 vice of the poet and mingle a little innocent recreation with his 
 graver studies. 
 
 Misce stultitiam consilis brevem. 
 
 Dulce est desipere in loco. 
 By so doing, he might by the blessing of Providence prolong an 
 existence not only invaluable to these colonies, but also exten- 
 sively useful to the human race by the important discoveries he 
 is continually making. Whilst engaged in those studies which 
 tend to promote the glory of Grod, and the moral and practical 
 benefit of mankind, Dr. P. Muelle»'s labours cannot be too highly 
 appreciated. The beautiful and delicate structures which by the 
 aid of the microscope he is gradually revealing to us, and the pe- 
 culiar adaptation of their organs to the circumstances in which 
 they are placed, exhibit innumerable illustrations of the wisdom 
 and goodness of the Creator. Nor should it be forgotten that the 
 silent progress of that science in which he is occupied, is intim- 
 ately connected with the advancement of the useful arts, for as the 
 properties of plants become known and their practical applications 
 ascertained, it will be found that the discoveries of the scientific 
 inquirer excercise a direct and powerful influence on the comfort 
 and material prosperity of mankind. 
 
 * The ferns now supposed to be identical with the European ones are : — 
 1. Gymnogramme rxdcefolia, 2. Q. leptopht/lla, 3. Hymenophyllum Tunbrid- 
 gesne and H. TP ilsoni, 4. JPteris aquilina, 5. Awlenmm Trichomanes, 6. A. 
 marinum, 7. Aspidium aculeatum, 8. Adiantum ^ffiiopioum ? 9. Pteris arguta, 
 10. Ophioglosfium vulgatmn, 11. Botrychmm lunar la. 
 
se 
 
 A COXTEIBUTIO^' TO, ETC. 
 
 LIST OP AIJSTEALIAN FEENS, 
 
 Systematically arranged, according to the views indicated in Sir 
 
 William Hooker's " Species Mlicum.'^ 
 
 
 
 ( 
 
 Suborder 1— aLEICHENIACE^ 
 
 GLEICHENIA. 
 
 G.jplatyzoma (P. microphyllum, 
 
 R. Br.; 
 O. rupestris "^ Probably mere 
 G. spelunccB > varieties of O. 
 G. microphylla j microphylla. 
 G. dicarpa 
 G.fiahellata 
 
 G. Sermanni ) Regarded sometimes as 
 G. dichotoma \ y&neties of G. ftabellala 
 
 Suborder 2.— POLYPODIACE^E. 
 
 ALSOPHILA. 
 
 A. Australis 
 
 A. Leichha/rdtiana, or A.Macartlmri 
 
 A. Cooperi 
 
 A. Rebecca 
 
 A. Bohertsiana 
 
 CYATHEA. 
 
 C. Medulla/ris 
 
 C. Lindsay ana ■ 
 
 DICKSONIA. 
 
 D. antarctica 
 
 D. Youngii (C. Moore) 
 D. duhia (Davallia duhia,'R. Br.) 
 D. davalUoides {Davallia Jiaccida, 
 F. M.) 
 
 DEPAEIA. 
 
 D. Macroei 
 
 HYMENOPHYLLUM. 
 
 H. marginatum 
 
 H. Jlahellatum ) 
 
 H. nitens > H. demissum, F.M. 
 
 H. cr'ispatum j 
 
 R. Tunhridgense 
 
 H. Wilsoni 
 
 TRICHOMANES. 
 
 T. venosum 
 T. angustattim \ 
 T. caudatum ) 
 T. rigidum \ 
 T. setiloba y 
 T. reniforme (?) 
 
 Suborder 3.— DAVALLIEJE. 
 
 DAVALLIA. 
 
 D. pedata 
 
 D. elegans 
 
 D.pyxidata (var. of D. solida,'F. M) 
 
 D.polypodioides {D.fiaccida,'R. Br) 
 
 LINDS^A. 
 
 L. cuUrata 
 
 L. qoncinna 
 
 L. linearis 
 
 L. lanuginosa 
 
 Jb.fldbellulata 
 
 L. media 
 
 L. trichomanoides 
 
 L. microphylla 
 
 L. pentaphylla 
 
 L. ensifolia {L. lanceolata, R. Br.) 
 
 L. Fraseri 
 
 Suborder 4.— PTERIDEJi:. 
 
 ADIANTUM. 
 
 A. lunulatum 
 
 A. hispiduliim 
 
 A. (Ethiopicum (A. assimile, Tl.Br.) 
 
 A. ajffine {A. trapeziforme, Forst.) 
 
 A . Jormosum {A. Cunninghami, 
 
 Hook.) 
 A. paradoxum, Pellcea falcata 
 
 HYPOLEPIS. 
 
 S. amaurorachis 
 H. Dicksonioides 
 
 Probably varieties of Polypodium rugosu- 
 litm, Hook, and F. M. 
 
 CHEILANTHES. 
 
 C. tenuifolia'\ 
 
 C. Sieberi L Probably varieties 
 C. pressiana C of C. tenuifolia 
 C. caudata ^ 
 
 P. falcata 
 P. paradoxa 
 P. niidiuscula (?) very little known 
 P. geranioefolia (Pteris pedata, 
 R. Br.) 
 
AUSTEALIAX FEENS 
 
 87 
 
 PTEEIg. 
 
 P. Felicienna (P. nitidula ?) 
 P. incisa {P. vespertilionis, E,. Br.) 
 P. comans var. P JEndlicheriana 
 P. tripartita 
 P. quadriaurita 
 P. crenata 
 P. longifolia 
 P. timhrosa 
 
 P. arguta (P. tremula, R. Br.) 
 P. aquilina (P. esculenta, E.. Br.) 
 CEBA.TOPTEEIS. 
 
 C. tMlictroides 
 
 Suborder 5.— LOMARIE^ 
 
 LOMAEIA. 
 i. Patersoni 
 L. discolor 
 L. lanceolata 
 L. alpina 
 L. procera ') y 
 
 L. fluviatiiis 
 
 L, articulata (F. M.) 
 
 BLKCHNUM. 
 B. orientate 
 P. striatum 
 B. loevigatum 
 B. cartilagineum 
 
 DOODIA. 
 D. aspera '\ 
 D. hlechnoides > 
 JD. media j 
 B. caudata ") 
 
 B. AtJcinsoniana ) 
 
 Suborder 6.— ASPLENIE^. 
 
 ASPLENIUM. 
 
 A. Australasictim (A. nidus, E. Br.) 
 
 A. simplicifrons (F. M.) 
 
 A. attenuatum 
 
 A. paleaceum 
 
 A. falcatum ') , . j . \ 
 
 A.furcatuml (^^^- ^' ^««^«^«^) 
 
 A . Jlabellifolium 
 
 A. marinum "^ 
 
 A. obtusafum 
 
 A. ohliquum 
 
 A. difforme ^ vars. oiA. marinum 
 
 A. bulhiferum (F. M.) 
 
 A. fiaccidiLm \ 
 
 A. odontites J 
 
 A. umbrosum {allantodia R, Br.) 
 
 A. Trichomanes 
 
 A. cuneatum, var. laserpitiifolium 
 
 A. pohfpodioides (Biplazium) 
 
 A. sylvaticum {Biplazium) 
 
 Suborder 7.— SCOLOPENDRIE^ 
 
 Not represented in Australia. 
 
 Suborder 8.— ASPIDIACE^. 
 
 ASPIDITTM. 
 
 A. aculeatum {A. proliferum, R Br.) 
 A. aristatum 
 A. coriacetim 
 
 NEPHEODIUM. 
 
 N. decompositum 
 
 N. tenericaule 
 
 N. propinquum (If. unitum) 
 
 N. extensum 
 
 NEPHEOLEPIS. 
 N. obliterata 
 N. tuberosa 
 N. exaltata 
 N. acuta 
 
 Suborder 9— POLYPODIEiE. 
 
 POLYPODIUM. 
 
 p. Australe (Grammitis, R. Br.) 
 
 P. grammitidis 
 
 P. contiquum 
 
 P. tenellum 
 
 P. mgosulum 
 
 P. proliferum 
 
 P. pcecilophlebium 
 
 P. aureum 
 
 P. verrucosum 
 
 P. subauriculatum 
 
 P. angustatum 
 
 P. acrostichoides 
 
 P. rupestre 
 
 P. confluens 
 
 P. attenuatum 
 
 P. longifolium 
 
 P. iridioides 
 
 P. pustulatum \ p ^^^^ p. m. 
 
 P. Billardieri ) ' 
 
 P. quercifoliam | j^ -^ 
 
 P. diversijolium ) ^ 
 
 Suborder 10— aRAMMITIDE^. 
 
 NOTHOCLCENA. 
 N. fragilis 
 N. distans 
 N. nudiuscula (?) 
 If. lanuginosa 
 N. pumilio (?) 
 
 GYMNOaEAMME. 
 O. leptopTiylla 
 G. rutoefolia 
 G. Muelleri 
 
 MENISCITJM. 
 
 M. Kennedyi 
 
88 
 
 « 
 
 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 ANTEOPHTUM. 
 A. semicostatum 
 
 A . 'plantaginexim 
 
 VITTAEIA. 
 
 V. rigida {V. elongata) 
 
 Suborder 11.— ACROSTICHE^. 
 
 ACBOSTICIIUM. 
 
 A . conforme 
 A. repandiim 
 A. aureum 
 A . pteroides 
 A . spicatum 
 
 PLATTCEEIFM. 
 P. alicorne 
 P. grandfi 
 
 Suborder 12-SCHIZ(EACE^. 
 
 SCHIZCEA. 
 
 S. bifida 
 
 S. rupestris 
 
 S. flabellum ) /« t-^j xi «^\ 
 
 S.dichotomal^^-^''fi'^'''^-^'^ 
 
 S.fistulosa 
 
 LTGODItrM. 
 
 L. microphyllum 
 L. semibipinnatum 
 
 Suborder 13— OSMUNDACE^. 
 
 TODEA. 
 
 T. barbara 
 
 T. Fraseri (Leptopteris) 
 
 Suborder 14— DAN^ACEJE. 
 
 ANGIOPTEEIS 
 A. evecta 
 
 MAEATTIA. 
 
 M. salicina (M elegans) 
 
 Subord. 15--0I'HI0aL0SSACE^ 
 
 OPHIOGLOSSUM 
 BOTRTCHIUM. 
 
 B. Australe {B. ternatum'F. M.) 
 B. lunaria 
 
 HELMINTHOST ACH YS . 
 
 S. Zeylanica 
 
 liYCOPODIACE^, from Dr. F. 
 Mueller's Fragmenta (Vol. 5) 
 
 LYCOPODIUM. 
 L. selago 
 L. Phlegmaria 
 L. clavatum {L . fastigiatum) 
 L. densiim 
 L. Carolinianum 
 L. serpentinum 
 L. later ale 
 L. cernuum 
 L. scariosum 
 L. volubile 
 
 SELAGINELLA. 
 
 8. Pressiana 
 S. uliginosa 
 S. concinna 
 
 PSILOTUM. 
 
 P. triquet/rum 
 P. complanatum 
 
 TMESIPTEEIS. 
 T. Tannensis 
 
 PHYLLOGLOSSTJM. 
 
 P, Drummondi 
 
 THE WOODS OF THE PAERAMATTA DISTRICT. 
 
 TT not unfrequently happens, tliat persons in their anxiety to 
 discover new and valuable productions in some distant part 
 of the globe, overlook those v^hich exist in their immediate neigh- 
 bourhood. This is especially the case with our indigenous trees 
 and shrubs. Whilst people incur vast expense in importing tim- 
 
PAREAMATTA DISTEICT. 89 
 
 ber and other materials for industrial purposes, they despise the 
 noble trees around them, and too frequently ignore the existence 
 of plants and shrubs, which from their medicinal and other pro- 
 perties, might be turned to practical account. On the present 
 occasion, I propose directing the attention of my readers to some 
 of the most useful woods of the district, with a view of inducing 
 those, who have the time and opportunity, to assist in developing 
 our resources and in ascertaining the adaptation of indigenous 
 material to the purposes of the artisan. In the Parramatta dis- 
 trict, there are about twenty species of " Grum Trees," or Eucalypti, 
 many of which are highly useful, as they afford good timber, resins 
 of a medicinal character, and also volatile oils. The " Blue Grum," 
 or JE. rostrata, is a very hard compact wood, and when properly 
 seasoned, is exceedingly durable, being well adapted for heavy 
 deck framing, the beams and knees of vessels, and for planking 
 above the light-water mark. This valuable tree, which formerly 
 abounded on the Toongabbie Creek, is not so plentiful as it was 
 in past years, and it is to be regretted that in the early days of 
 the colony, when stumping and burning oif was the order of the 
 day, little attention was paid to the preservation of this Grum and 
 other species calculated to be useful in after times. In Victoria, 
 the Blue Gum has been much used for railway sleepers, and has 
 also been employed for making various articles of furniture. The 
 "Iron Bark," or E. paniculata, is known as one of our hardest 
 and heaviest woods. Of this wood, there are two kinds with white, 
 and one with red flowers. Passing over some of the ordinary 
 purposes for which* it is usually employed, it appears from a re- 
 port published in Melbourne, to which we are indebted for much 
 of this information respecting our common woods, that Iron Bark, 
 from its great strength and tenacity and close grain, is highly 
 useful to the coachmaker and wheelwright for poles and shafts of 
 carriages, and spokes of wheels. Its greasy nature also renders 
 this wood very serviceable to the mill-wright for the cogs of heavy 
 wheels. Por this purpose, Mr. Dight of Melbourne and others 
 engaged in similar pursuits, have been accustomed to send to 
 this colony for Iron Bark, and it has also been worked up in 
 various ways in ship-building. It seems rather curious that this 
 wood should be imported into Victoria, when the same species of 
 * Catalogue of the Victorian Exhibition, 186X. 
 M 
 
90 A COITTRIBTITroN TO, ETC. 
 
 ^ucah/ptus exists in that colony ; but the fact is, that our Iron 
 Bark exhibits a much smaller number of cells dispersed through 
 the substance of the woody fibre, and consequently is more im- 
 perishable than the Victorian tree. The cause of the variation 
 has not yet been ascertained, but it is supposed to arise from the 
 difference of soil and climate. Grum Kino is procured from the 
 same tree, and by experiments in Melbourne, the destructive dis- 
 tillation was found to yield a particularly thick and rugged sub- 
 stance, studded with deposits of dark gum-resin and containing a 
 large product of pyroxylic spirit. Our "Box," again (U Jiemi- 
 phloia), which is the prevailing tree in some parts of the district, 
 affords a valuable timber, and is largely used by coachmakers and 
 wheelwrights for the naves of wheels and heavy framing ; and by 
 millwrights for the cogs of their wheels. In addition to the pur- 
 poses to which we see it applied in this neighbourhood, it is re- 
 ported to be employed in ship -building, and forms one of the best 
 materials for treenails, and for working into large screws in the 
 mechanical arts. The " Blackbut," {IE. pilularis), which does 
 not appear to be so well known in the adjacent colony as the pre- 
 ceding species, has long been used here for flooring boards and 
 house purposes, and is justly regarded as one of our noblest trees. 
 It is found principally upon the banks of our creeks to the north 
 of the town, but owing to the progress of cultivation and the 
 necessary clearing of the ground, the larger Blackbuts in the im- 
 mediate neighbourhood have long since perished. Three species 
 of " Mahogany," occur near us, commonly called Eed, White, and 
 Swamp Mahoganies, all of which are known to practical men as 
 affording abundant material for fencing, slabs, &c., &c. The 
 White species (^JE. acmenioides) , which closely resembles " Stringy 
 Bark" in its appearance, is probably the least known of the three 
 and when worked up for palings or flooring boards, has a beautiful 
 satin-like surface. The specific gravity of this wood far ex- 
 ceeds that of Stringy Bark, being closer and more compact, 
 whilst the grain is sometimes prettily waved. Our remaining 
 Grums are not so highly esteemed for the strength and durability 
 of their wood, but many of them possess valuable resins, whilst 
 from the leaves of all of them volatile oils may be distilled, vary- 
 ing in character and specific gravity. When specimens were 
 being prepared for the Exhibition of 1861, ouv Melbourne friends 
 
-PAllKAMATTA DISTEICT. 9l 
 
 procured some excellent volatile oil from the leaves of the 
 "Woollybut" forwarded from Parramatta, and it was found that 
 the oil exhibited the remarkable property of imparting an indelible 
 transparent stain to paper, indicating that a resin was held in 
 solution. " This opinion," continues the report, " was strength- 
 ened by the unusually high specific gravity which it possesed, viz., 
 "0940, and by the fact that its boiling points are also much above 
 the average, being 380° and 420° respectively. The taste of this 
 essential oil is aromatic and cooling, with but little pungency ; it 
 has a fragrant camphoraceous odour, and an oily consistency. The 
 yield from 100 lbs. of leaves is 3 oz., 3i drs. In a kerosene lamp 
 this fluid gives a good bright clear flame, but somewhat inferior 
 to kerosene in intensity." It is strange that our "Woollybut, 
 (j&J. longifolici), which is so little esteemed by the Parramat- 
 tonians, should be so highly valued at a distance, and the fact is 
 suggestive to us ; for in the vicinity of our town — not farther 
 than Greneral Macarthur's bush — an abundance of leaves might 
 be gathered for following up the experiments so skilfully com- 
 menced at Melbourne. Amongst the other trees of our district, 
 nearly allied to the "Grums," are three species of "Apple," (Ango- 
 phord), and one of "Turpentine," {Syncarpia^ In some parts of 
 iN'ew South Wales the apple is valued by coachmakers and wheel- 
 wrights, being used extensively for the naves of wheels ; and the 
 " Turpentine," when properly seasoned, is likely to prove a 
 durable and strong wood. Carpenters complain that it is liable 
 to shrink and warp, but this arises from using the wood in a green 
 state, or from neglecting to fell the tree w^hen it is least influenced 
 by the sap. The process of seasoning timber seems to be very 
 imperfectly understood here, and it is that circumstance, rather 
 than any defect in the wood, which causes people to undervalue 
 our colonial material for practical purposes. 
 
 Before I pass over the Myrtaceous trees of the district, I 
 must notice what is called " The Broad-leaved Tea Tree," (CalUs- 
 temon sallgniis), the wood of which, being very hard, has been 
 successfully employed in x^^lography or engraving. One of the 
 Pittosporums, I have been informed, can be used for the same 
 purpose, but the species to which I refer seldom occurs near 
 Parramatta, and when it does, it is too small to be rendered avail- 
 able. In Pye's creek, the " Native Myrtle" (BacMomia rngHi- 
 
92 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 folia), another larger-leaved Myrtle with yellow flowers {Tristania 
 nereifolia) , and the " Lilly Pilly" (Uu^enia Smithii) , are of fre- 
 quent occurrence, and the wood of them being very tough, it is 
 often made into flails, handles, &c. Our " Tea Trees," though 
 frequently despised, contain valuable properties, which hereafter 
 will be turned to good account. The bark of some species may 
 be converted into paper, and the leaves of all contain volatile oils, 
 whilst the wood of two admits of a polish and may be worked up 
 into articles of furniture. The oil extracted from the Tea Trees 
 bears a striking resemblance to the cajeput oil of commerce, has 
 a bitter and camphoraceous taste, and is followed by a cool sen- 
 sation like that produced by peppermint. The three species from 
 which the oil is procured, abound in this neighbourhood viz: — 
 Unariifolia, ericifolia, and genistifoUa. " It is found that lOOlbs. 
 of fresh branchlets and leaves of the first will yield a product 
 measuring 28 fluid ounces. It presents the appearance of a very 
 light straw coloured mobile liquid, of rather a pleasant odour, 
 resembling the oil of cajeput, but less aromatic and pungent, and 
 possessed of a singularly agreeable taste — in which respect it 
 diff'ers from most of the other oils — strongly suggestive of both 
 mace and nut-meg, followed by the usual mintlike after taste, 
 common in a greater or less degree to the myrtaceous oils. The 
 specific gravity is "0903, and the boiling point is 348°." 
 Amongst the smaller trees of the district the " Christmas bushes" 
 are interesting, not merely for the beauty of their flowers, but in 
 one species (^Ceratopetalum apetalum) for the excellency of its 
 wood, and the fragrance of its bark. This is generally called 
 " Light Wood," and is a favourite with coachmakers. Although 
 on our creeks, it is a small tree, yet in some parts of the colony 
 especially on the Blue Mountains and the Mittagong Range, it 
 attains the height of 60 feet, and afibrds fine timber for doors, 
 shutters, &c. It is a curious fact in the distribution of plants, 
 that whilst this species predominates on the creeks to the north 
 of Parramatta, the allied tree (Schizomeria ovata), and very 
 similar to it, grows on the Toongabbie Creek. In the same 
 locality also may be found one of our " Native laurels" {Cryp- 
 tocarya glaucescens) , which in the early days of the colony was' 
 called " Sassafras," and undoubtedly possesses medicinal proper- 
 ties. The tree now called Sassafras belongs to a difierent family, 
 
pareamaTTA disteect. 93 
 
 and does not occur within twelve miles of the town and then only- 
 very sparingly. On the Toongabbie Creek also small specimens 
 of the native " Cork Tree" (Dnboisia my oj) oroides') may be found. 
 On Pye's creek, the " Native Eosewood" {Synoum ylandulosurri) 
 is occasionally met with, and when in flower is very ornamental, 
 but whilst in some parts of the colony it becomes a large tree, 
 with us it is a mere shrub. 
 
 The " Native Cherry" {Exocarpus cupressiformis) seldom attains 
 any size in our district, but the wood can be used for map-rollers, 
 &c. Our proteaceous shrubs and trees are too diminutive to be 
 of much service. With the exception of two species of " Honey- 
 suckle" (Banksia) which can be worked up for knees of boats, 
 the rest do not grow so large as in some other parts of the colony. 
 This is especially the case with our "Wooden Pear" {Xylomelum 
 pyriforme), the "Native Beef Wood" {Stenocai'pus salignus), 
 andLoiuatia loiigifolia a tree with flowers very similar to a Grevillea. 
 The " Native Oaks," when found sufficiently large, are available 
 for difl'erent articles of furniture, and the swamp-oak ( Camarina 
 paludosd) is very good for handles. With the exception of two 
 or three species of Acacia or " Wattle," there is scarcely any 
 leguminous tree that can be said to make much wood. When 
 the Acacias can be found large enough, they are useful for 
 furniture, and one species is exceedingly desirable where tough- 
 ness and durability are required. All the species are astringent, 
 in a greater or less degree, and a decoction of bark has been 
 found efficacious in curing dysentery when all other remedies have 
 failed. 
 
 Without pursuing the subject any further, it must be evident 
 to every reflecting person that the Parramatta district possesses 
 many valuable woodn, and that several of their qualities remain 
 yet to be developed. If we are anxious to prepare specimens for 
 our friends in Europe, there is no occasion to go to any great 
 distance for woods, as thirty or forty diflerent kinds could be 
 collected within a few miles of the town. And, indeed, it is a 
 fact that specimens of wood have been recently forwarded to the 
 Paris Exhibition, which are not in any degree rarer than some of 
 our own district ; and, therefore, it is to be regretted that the 
 people of Parramatta did not endeavour to secure some portion of 
 the honour which will be bestowed on the colony, by forwarding 
 
94 A COJfTRIBUTIOX TO, ETC. 
 
 a complete set of woods belonging to the district, worked up into 
 different articles of furniture, and arranged systematically for 
 the edification of all interested in such matters. Nature has 
 done more for us than we are thankful for, or are even aware of; 
 and it would be easy for us to prove that the Parramatta district is 
 not only highly favoured in the excellency and durability of its 
 woods, but that its creeks abound in plants which may hereafter 
 be rendered available for the jmrposes of medicine and the arts 
 in general. We have much to study in our own immediate neigh- 
 bourhood, and whilst in the pure atmosphere of the country we 
 are engaged in seeking after the useful and beautiful productions 
 of the earth, we shall not only attain in^some measure, " a sound 
 mind in a sound body," but also a profound impression that "the 
 works of God" are indeed " great," and " sought out of all them 
 that have pleasure therein !" 
 
 I 
 
 MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PAKRAMATTA 
 DISTEICT. 
 
 T is much to be regretted that scientific men in this colony have 
 paid so little attention to the subject of Medical Botany. 
 Surrounded, as we are, by shrubs and plants possessing medicinal 
 J)roperties, there is a wide field for investigation ; and, no doubt, 
 it will be found in time to come, that we have been sending to 
 distant countries for expensive medicines, whilst remedies equally 
 efilcacious might be procured close at hand in all their native 
 freshness. It was the belief of the ancients that all physic is 
 included in simples ; and hence they had recourse to remedies 
 "simple, natural, of no expense, always at hand, and within the 
 reach of the j)oorest persons." Pliny cannot endure the idea of 
 sending to remote countries in quest of medicines, whilst nature 
 in her wild profusion scatters them almost everywhere. The 
 great doctors of antiquity, ^sculapius, Hippolytus, Chiron, 
 and Japis, invariably connected the art of curing with the power 
 of herbs ; and, indeed, so impressed were the ancients with the 
 
' PAEBAMATTA DISTRICT. 95 
 
 importance of Medical Botany, that in the earlier times the 
 knowledge of plants was almost exclusively medicinal. In modern 
 times, it has been too often the practice to condemn the use of 
 simple remedies as being anile and quackish, and to extol prepara- 
 tions of a mineral character as being more certain, speedy, and 
 uniform, in their operation. Simple as old women's remedies 
 may be, they generally possess the advantage of being harmless. 
 If they do not eifect much good, or at all events, if they do not 
 come up to the mineral medicines in the rapidity of their action, 
 they seldom do much harm ; whilst it cannot be denied that the 
 use of calomel and other such medicines, in the hands of unskilful 
 practitioners, often lays the foundation of incurable distempers 
 in the constitution. In such a state of things, therefore, it can- 
 not be denied that the homoeopathic doctors are rendering incal- 
 culable service to society by introducing to notice some of the 
 old-fashioned medicines, simple in character, indigenous to most 
 countries, and easy of preparation. I am not now discussing the 
 question as to the comparative merits of homoeopathy, or allopathy, 
 but simply adverting to a fact which ere long may have its in- 
 fluence in developing the medicinal resources of Australia. When 
 we look round us even in the Parramatta district, there is, indeed, 
 a wide and almost untrodden field before our eyes, containing 
 deeply -buried truths and startling mysteries, which a long life 
 would fail entirely to elicit. The harvest to be reaped is plenteous, 
 but the labourers are few. AVith the exception of Dr. Ferdinand 
 Mueller, the eminent botanist of Victoria, scarcely anyone has 
 instituted any experiments into the hidden properties of our 
 native plants, and for his researches indeed the people of Parra- 
 matta, as well as the scientific world in general, stand deeply 
 indebted, for amongst some of those which he has tested, several 
 species occur in our immediate neighbourhood. But Dr. Mueller, 
 profound and energetic as he is, has not time for pursuing so 
 abstruse an investigation. His duties as Government Botanist 
 of Victoria, and Director of the Botanical Garden in Melbourne, 
 as well as the multifarious works he is engaged in preparing for 
 the press, preclude the possibility of his doing much for practical 
 chemistry. The light, however, which he is throwing upon the 
 subject of medical botany cannot fail to have its efi"ect, and it is 
 sincerely to be hoped, that others profiting by the valuable 
 
96 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 suggestions lie lias given to the world, may enter upon the study 
 of our medicinal plants, and prove that whilst we. have valuable 
 remedies within our reach, we need not rely too much upon 
 foreign importatious to promote the art of healing. From experi- 
 ments which were made in Melbourne some seven years ago, the 
 valuable properties of some of our bush trees were fully proved. 
 The secretions of resins and gum resins, as well as the essential oils 
 obtained by distillation from their leaves, were highly commended 
 both for their medical and commercial advantages, and it was 
 truly remarked that " in these resources alone, there is presented 
 a vast field where industry and science may be peacefully 
 associated, and reap the rich reward which is due to exertion and 
 intelligence." And let it be borne in mind that these results 
 arise from no foreign sources, but from the species of Eucalyptus, 
 Melaleuca, and Acacia, or in plain words from the Gum trees. Tea 
 trees, and Wattles all around us. These trees possess properties 
 of an astringent character, and therefore, in a country so exposed 
 as Australia is in some localities to such complaints as diarrhoea, 
 dysentery, and low fever, nature has provided remedies at once 
 simple, near at hand, and within the reach of all. All we require 
 is, that men of science and observation should make known in 
 plain and unmistakeable terms, the species best adapted for our 
 purposes, and the simplest and cheapest method of preparing 
 medicine from them. Amongst the plants on which Dr. P. Mueller 
 has experimented, are Mentha satureoides and Plttosporum 
 tindulatum. The former is well known here by the name of Wild 
 Pennyroyal, and long before the learned Doctor graced our shores, 
 a decoction of it was used as a tonic. It appears, however, that 
 a valuable oil may be extracted from the little plant, which can 
 be employed medicinally, as many species of Mint enumerated in 
 the Pharmacopceia, or chemically in imparting to other ingredientis 
 a pleasing flavour and scent. The Pittosporum, is not so abundant 
 in our district, but it is a tree frequently cultivated in gardens 
 and the fact should be made known that the flowers yield an 
 almost jasmine-like scent by distillation. Prostanthera, which the 
 Doctor also mentions, occurs but sparingly near Parramatta, but 
 the species of Zierla, Boronia, and Corrma (all Rutaceous plants) 
 occur frequently, and abound in volatile oils. A series of experi- 
 ments on these plants would prove not only highly interesting, 
 
PAEEAMATTA DISTEICT. 97 
 
 but calculated to do mucli for the promotion of medical botany. 
 The bark of some species of our Persoonia, may be employed 
 medicinally in decoctions, but their properties are as yet but little 
 known. Two little plants of the G-entian Family, common enough 
 in the spring, the one with pink and the other with yellow 
 flowers, {ErytJircea Australis and Sehcea ovata) are great favourites 
 with those persons who know the value of them, and they have 
 proved highly efficacious in certain stages of dysentery. The 
 pink one is generally called Centaury and is the more powerful, 
 and like the allied European species " possesses all the essential 
 properties of the gentian of the shops, and although not used pro- 
 fessionally, is a very valuable native medicine ; in places where it 
 grows, it is carefully collected for use in rustic pharmacy." 
 A learned physician, not a hundred miles from Parramatta, was 
 so impressed with the efficacy of this little herb, from noticing 
 the use of it amongst certain old women in his neighbourhood, 
 that he was not too proud to adopt their remedy and recommended 
 it to his patients. This was an instance of candour in a great 
 mind which deserves to be recorded, for medical men generally are 
 so wedded to what is popularly called "Doctor's Stuff," that nature 
 with all her endearments appeals to them in vain. Our species 
 of native Ruhus also, I happen to know, was recommended by 
 another medical practitioner amongst us. Bulus idceus is known 
 in Europe for its astringent properties, and B. hispidus of 
 America is used instead of Cinchona. It seems highly probable, 
 therefore, that our H. parviflorus, or common native Easpberry, 
 the valuable properties of which have been discovered by the old 
 women, may one day claim a place in the Pharmacopoeia. The 
 native Sarsaparilla (Smilax glycyphylla) is already to be found in 
 that useful work, but strange to say, although the plant abounds 
 in our creeks, foreign sarsaparilla is imported and sold in the 
 shops. The native plant is said to be tonic and antiscorbutic, 
 and in the form of a decoction, makes a wholesome and agree- 
 able beverage. The late much respected Dr Greenup, (whose 
 name will long be associated in Parramatta with everything that 
 was benevolent and scientific) used to recommend this as an alter- 
 ative and tonic. It is to be regretted that persons sometimes 
 through mistake use the leaves of Hardenhergia or Kennedia for 
 sarsaparilla. These cannot have the same good effect. Our true 
 
98 A CONTEIBIITION TO, ETC. 
 
 Sarsaparilla is what is known by the name of " Sweet Tea or 
 "Wild Liquorice." One of our native laurels {Cryptocarya glances- 
 cens), a tree allied to the Sassafras of the Pharmacopoeia, deserves 
 to be mentioned as possessing medicinal properties as yet but 
 little appreciated. The berries would yield oil, and probably a 
 decoction of the wood might be employed for a tonic. Our native 
 grape (Vitis Jiypoglauca) yields a jelly of a beautiful crimson 
 colour, which has a flavour similar to those agreeable remedies 
 that are used sometimes in cases of sore throat. It seems prob- 
 able that a good gargle might be prepared from this fruit, and if 
 the dye could be fixed, the colour of the juice might be rendered 
 available for many purposes. The Ghenopodiacece of the neigh- 
 bourhood vary in their properties, some being exceedingly 
 nauseous, whilst others are cooling and antiscorbutic, and prove 
 eatable as spinach. Verbena officinalis or the common Vervain, 
 was a very popular plant in ancient times, and even now it is 
 regarded as febrifuge and vulnerary, whilst it may be used ex- 
 ternally as a rubefaciant in rheumatism and other pains of the 
 joints. It has been used in this country as a decoction for giving 
 tone to the stomach, and arresting the incipient stages of con- 
 sumption, but whether it really possesses any efficacy in such 
 cases is not known. The native Veronica (V.plebeia) is very 
 similar in properties to some of the European species, the leaves 
 of which are substituted for tea, but they are more astringent 
 and less grateful. Our Gratiola also should be tested, for as it is 
 common on almost all our creeks and marshes and possesses a 
 powerful scent arising from the volatile oil it contains, the plant 
 may prove serviceable. The G. officinalis of Europe which is 
 nearly allied to our G. pedunculata, is very acrid and drastic, and 
 although sometimes useful in hypochondriasis, must be employed 
 with extreme caution as it has proved poisonous. It is reported 
 that the prevalence of this weed in some of the pastures in 
 Switzerland, renders them useless. Prunella vulgaris or Self Heal 
 is indigenous here as well as in Europe, and, according to the 
 Pharmacopoeia, is bitter and astringent, and occasionally used as 
 bark. In the country in England, the leaves are supposed to be 
 efficacious in healing cuts, and hence the name. Our native 
 Currants (Leptomerid) have properties which might be turned to 
 other accounts besides that of making jam and jelly. The 
 
PAEKAMATTA DISTRICT. 99 
 
 different species possess a very powerful acid, which appears 
 remarkably in the way it mixes with other jams. The acid could 
 be employed in flavouring sugar drops, or as affording a substitute 
 for lemon syrup. In addition to the native plants which might 
 be rendered available for medicine, there are now many introduced 
 plants which have become acclimatised and do not seem to vary 
 from the foreign species. Some few of these deserve notice 
 especially Datura stramonimii or the Thorn Apple, JRicinus com- 
 munis or Castor Oil, Anagallis arvensis or Pimpernel, Phytolacca 
 octandra or American Nightshade, Fceniculum vulgare or Pennel, 
 Euphorbia helioscopia or Wart-wort, and sundry species oiBumex 
 and Plantago. Most of these are regarded as affording remedies 
 in certain disorders. Thus, for instance. Datura stramonium^ 
 though poisonous, is employed in asthma, and the seeds when 
 expressed and made into ointment with hogs' lard, are good for 
 irritable ulcers, bums, and scalds. Bicinus not only yields castor 
 oil, but the leaves of the plant have been successfully used by Dr. 
 Pringle as a galactopoietic. The doctor has recently reported 
 two remarkable cases. The one was that of a woman, who from 
 total absence of milk in one breast, and a very limited supply in 
 the other, had lost two children in succession in early infancy. 
 By the application of the Castor Oil leaves for about a week, 
 the effect was truly astonishing, for the evil was remedied, and 
 the woman was enabled to rear her children afterwards. The 
 second case was that of a delicate lady, who through the same 
 simple application for three days, was rendered capable of sup- 
 plying the nourishment necessary for twins. 
 
 The little weed Pimpernel has a beautiful flower of a rich 
 crimson colour, and is sometimes called the poor man's weather 
 glass, as it is said to close on the approach of bad weather. It is 
 used in mania and hydrophobia, and the juice, when applied to 
 the eye in certain stages of ophthalmia, is reported to cleanse it 
 in a remarkable manner. Mr. Charles Tunks, of Parramatta, tried 
 it on the eyes of a dog and found it very efficacious in removing 
 the ulcerous matter, and improving the vision of the poor animal. 
 Phytolacca is spreading very much and bids fair to follow the 
 railway into the interior. It is used as a purgative medicine, 
 &c., and if any method of fixing the colour could be devised, 
 the purple juice of the berries would yield a most valuable 
 
100 A CONTEIBTJTION TO, ETC. 
 
 dye. P. decand/ra is cultivated sometimes in gardens, but P. 
 octandra is found in so many parts of these colonies, that some 
 persons regard it as indigenous. Fennel is used in Europe for 
 seasoning fish, and an oil is obtained from the seeds. The plant 
 is springing up in many cultivated fields, and some persons regard 
 it as poisonous, but this opinion is decidedly opposed to 
 European experience. Amongst some of Dr. Mueller's recent 
 experiments, he has shown that from the common weed Myriogyne, 
 snuff can be prepared, and that from several species of Pimelea 
 an acrid resin can be obtained which has remarkable blistering 
 properties. He has also ascertained that our common Apple 
 tree has 2 '9 of tannic acid, and 0"9 of 'gallic, whilst the Eugenia 
 Smithii has 16 "9 of the former, and 3 '6 of the latter. These, and 
 many other results are highly interesting, and whilst they demon- 
 strate the progress of science in these colonies, they exhibit many 
 useful facts which may hereafter exercise an influence on medicine 
 and the arts in general. It seems that GastroloUum grandifiorum, 
 the poisonous plant of the north, and Swamsona Gi^eyana which 
 is sometimes called the Poison Pea of the Darling, are to be sub- 
 jected to a "rigorous toxicological and chemical examination" at 
 an early period. 
 
 Prom the glance that I have taken at the medicinal plants of 
 the neighbourhood, it is quite evident, that they are not merely 
 numerous, but that, as yet, their properties are very little under- 
 stood. Nature has provided remedies for many diseases to which 
 " flesh is heir," and yet, from carelessness and indifference, or 
 from prejudice and vanity, we neglect to profit by her profusion. 
 In many cases, the qualities of herbs are regarded as fii subjects 
 for quack doctors or old women, whilst in others, an opinion 
 evidently exists, that medicines enough are known already. And 
 yet it is reasonable to suppose that the G-reat Architect of the 
 Universe created nothing in vain, and that the smallest plant is 
 not only an illustration of His wisdom, but that it occupies a 
 position in the economy of nature, which in the present order of 
 things cannot be dispensed with. It should be the object of 
 science therefore to discover the uses of plants, and when those 
 uses have been discovered, to communicate them for the benefit 
 of mankind. Before the invention of printing, important dis- 
 coveries were frequently lost to posterity for want of some means 
 
PAEEAMATTA DISTEICT. 101 
 
 to perpetuate the knowledge of them. Now, however, that we 
 possess the most extended means of circulating information 
 through tKe press, and of preserving the discoveries of the present 
 age for thq moral elevation and material advancement of those yet 
 to come, it behoves us, whenever we have ascertained that the 
 properties of any particular plant have a tendency to alleviate or 
 remove the ravages of any disease, to place the fact on record. 
 And if persons of observation, residing in different parts of the 
 colony would adopt this course, and not act on the selfish prin- 
 ciple of acquiring knowledge for their sole gratification or advan- 
 tage, we should soon collect a body of facts that would tend 
 materially to advance the science of Medical Botany amongst us, 
 and to render unnecessary the importation of many medicines 
 from abroad. What Pliny said centuries ago, is true now even 
 with us, that simple, natural, and in expensive remedies are alw^ays 
 at hand : " Hcec sola naturce placuerat esse remedia, parata vidgo, 
 inventu facilia, ac sine impendio.^^ 
 
 EEMAEKS ON THE 
 
 BOTANY OFBERRIMA, & THE MITTAGONG EANGE, 
 
 WITH 
 
 A GLANCE AT " EEEE SELECTION." 
 
 JRead before the Parramatta Church Society, 1864. 
 
 TjUEINGr a short visit to Berrima and the Mittagong Eange in 
 the beginning of October last, I had a favourable opportunity 
 of examining the vegetable productions of those parts, and of 
 collecting many specimens of plants which I had not previously 
 seen in a living state. The town of Berrima is on the Winge- 
 carribbee Eiver (which is a tributary of the Wollondilly) , and 
 some years since it was a place of some importance ; but owing 
 to the discontinuance of transportation to this colony, and the 
 consequent reductions in the Government establishments, it has 
 become a place of less note. Berrima is rather more that eighty 
 
102 A COIS'TEIBIJTIOX TO, ETC. 
 
 miles from Sydney, and, now that the railroad has been opened 
 as far as to Mittagong, the journey from the metropolis to Berrima 
 can be accomplished in a few hours. The Mittagong Eange, which 
 may be regarded as an easterly spur of the Blue Mountains, 
 forms the northern boundary of the Southern table land on the 
 coast side of the main dividing chain. The highest point is about 
 2454 feet above the level of the sea, and the range runs through 
 the whole length of the county of Camden, terminating close to 
 the sea in the lUawarra mountain, about fifty miles south of 
 Sydney. The vegetation in the immediate neighbourhood of 
 Berrima varies very much from that of the Mittagong Eange, 
 especially where the sandstone rock is covered or displaced by 
 whinstone or trap ; but probably some of the prettiest flowering 
 shrubs may be found within a short distance of the town. In 
 reference to the geology of the Mittagong Eange, and its re- 
 semblance in some parts to that of Tomah, I have received the 
 following communication from my eminent geological friend, the 
 Eev. W. B. Clarke, F.a.S. ; "The summit of Mount Tomah is 
 covered by basalt, which extends away to Mount Hay, where, 
 however, the igneous rock somewhat varies from the ordinary 
 character of basalt. The west end of the Mittagong Eange is 
 partly trachyte and partly a porphyritic greenstone. But basalt 
 occurs in the more southern part of that range, and forms some 
 isolated hills in the country near the "Wingecarribbee Swamp and 
 Mount Kinnoul. Basalt also occurs in great abundance near Ivy 
 Hall — at Cordeaux, on the Berrima Eoad — and in other parts of 
 that country. The Mittagong carries its igneous character right 
 down to Kiama. It is not, therefore, extraordinary to find the 
 vegetation on Tomah and certain parts of the Mittagong agree. 
 Between the head of Cordeaux Eiver and the Eoad from Jamberoo 
 to Bong Bong are several other large masses of basalt, and there, 
 also, tree-ferns abound. The different colours on the surface 
 soil of those localities are probably due to a greater or less 
 proportion of iron oxide." Of the Eutacese, two species of the 
 genus Boronia (B. microphylla and B. anemonifolid), one of Phe- 
 halivm (P. squamalosum), and one of Philotheca occur frequently 
 amongst the disintegrated sandstone, whilst the Epacris family, 
 which in Australia takes the place of Heathworts, is there repre- 
 sented by four species of Epacris and three of Leucopogon, viz., 
 
BEEEIMA AND MITTAGONG. 103 
 
 JE. microphylla, JS. riparia, JS. onosmcefolia, E. nivalis, and L. 
 microphi/Uus, L. virgatus, and L. ericoides. All these shrubs are 
 very pretty, and they form a pleasing relief to the rigid proteaceae 
 with which they are occasionally associated. The proteaceous 
 shrubs belong principally to the genera of Grevillea, BanJcsia, 
 Persoonia, Lomatia, Hahea, and Petrophila, of which I noticed at 
 least eleven species, {Grevillea Baueri, Banhsia Australis, B. 
 spinulosa, Bersoonia virgata, B. lucida, B. prostrata, Lomatia 
 salaifolia, L. ilicifolia, Hahea microcarpa, S. dacty hides and 
 Petropliila pedunculata) . The most ornamental of these is the 
 little Grevillea which grows close to the town. The leguminous 
 shrubs and trees naturally divide themselves into the Mimosse 
 and the Papilionaceae. 
 
 Before I enumerate any of the species, I may mention that the 
 plants supposed to be the most injurious to sheep belong to the 
 LeguminossD, but, with the exception of Indigofera Australis, or 
 the native indigo, I did not see any plant of the order which I 
 could look upon as deleterious. And even with respect to that, I 
 am inclined to think that by the term "indigo" many of our 
 squatters mean Swainsona ; for Dr. Cox and Mr. Eussell have 
 recently favoured me with specimens of >S'. coronilliBfolia from the 
 Macintyre, which they assure me is called " indigo," and is re- 
 garded as a decided poison to sheep or cattle. It is a pretty 
 plant and cultivated in gardens, and is perfectly distinct from the 
 poisonous shrub Gastrololium grandifiorum from the Flinders, a 
 species very similar to one in Western Australia which caused 
 such havoc amongst the sheep some few years ago. 
 
 Of the Mimosese, I noticed six species of Acacia (A. multinervia, 
 A. decv/rrens, A. falciformis, A. oleifolia, A. vomerifbrmis, and A. 
 tmibrosa) ; but only one of these attains any size, the rest being 
 mere shrubs or small trees. The PapilionacesB are represented 
 by species of Bultencea, Kennedia, Bossicea, Mirhelia, Baviesia, 
 Billwynia, and Oxylohium, {Bultencea altissima, B. elliptica, Ken- 
 nedia prostrata, Bossiceafoliosa, Mirhelia grandiflora, Daviesia lati- 
 folia, B. mimosoides, Billwynia Jlorihunda, B. parvifiora, and Oxy- 
 loUum arlorescens) . Kennedia prostrata has pretty scarlet flowers, 
 and is worthy of cultivation. It occurs near the sea-coast, as well 
 as in the more elevated parts of the colony, and it was one of the 
 earliest papilionaceous flowers introduced into England from 
 
104 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 this colony. The species of Daviesia are not very ornamental ; 
 but the leaves contain a powerful bitter property, which renders 
 them palatable to horses and cattle. Comesperma ericinum and 
 Bauera rubicBfolia occur near Berrima, and seem identical with 
 the species found in the neighbourhood of Sydney. The latter of 
 these has small pink flowers, with eight or ten petals, and it may 
 frequently be noticed near the creeks at the North Shore. The 
 family to which Comesperma belongs, viz., that of the Milkworts, 
 is a very limited one in this part of Australia. Dr. Mueller's 
 Poly gala veronicea is now found to be identical with P. Japonica, 
 and it is interesting as being the only species of the genus found 
 in New South Wales. Comesperma erMnum and C. voluhile, as well 
 as the almost leafless little plant C. sphcerocarpum, may all be 
 collected near Parramatta. These plants may easily be recognised 
 by any one who is acquainted with the species of Polygala so 
 common in gardens, and which are natives of America or the 
 Cape. Some of the cultivated species have a tendency to spread 
 in this colony, and sometimes they may be noticed in the bush, 
 far from any garden, the seeds having been conveyed away in all 
 probability by birds. 
 
 Of the SantalacecB, I remarked two species of native cherry 
 {Exocarpus cupressiformis and ^. strictd), two of native currants 
 {Leptomeria acida and L. acerha), and a small shrub with minute 
 white flowers nearly allied to the same genus {Choretrum parvi- 
 florwm). Some of these occur in the county of Cumberland ; but 
 Exocarpus latifolia (of which I have recently received specimens 
 from M. Thozet of Eockhampton) is a species of cherry which is 
 almost tropical. This is very different from our species, and has 
 oval nerved leaves. Amongst the other plants which I collected 
 near Berrima were JPimelea linifolia, similar to that in the low 
 country, but having somewhat pink flowers ; a very pretty 
 Oryptandra (G. propinqua) with minute wax-like flowers ; a 
 Tetratlieca (T. thymifolia) with purple petals ; and an elegant 
 Veronica with perfoliate leaves {V. perfoliata). The genus 
 Veronica is well known to gardeners, but the most admired species 
 are natives of New Zealand {V. Lindleyi and V. speciosa). The 
 common species of New South Wales is V. pleheia, a small decum- 
 bent plant with blue flowers, and ovate serrate leaves, resembling 
 the European species V. chammdrys. Some of the species, 
 
BERRIMA AND MITTACrOlS^G. 105 
 
 especially the last mentioned, are sometimes used as substitutes 
 for tea, arid there is every reason to believe that the one so 
 generally diffused in this colony possesses medicinal properties 
 not inferior to that dignified by the name V. officinalis. The species 
 {V. perfoUatd) which grows at Berrima, and near Mudgee, as well 
 as in other parts of the interior, is a pretty little plant w^orthy 
 of cultivation. On the banks of the river, Micranthea hexandra 
 (UujpTiorhiaceiB) is very abundant, and also the shrubs Fomaderris 
 ligustrina, Panax dendroides, Leptospermum ohovatum, Pleurandra 
 stricta, Hihhertia diffusa, Frenela Australis (a native cypress), and 
 a stunted Casuarina, or forest oak. Of the difficult genus 
 JEucalyptus, or gum, I reckoned eighteen species, several of which 
 are perfectly distinct from any near Parramatta. I am well 
 aware of the difficulty in determining the species of this genus, 
 and until Mr. Bentham and Dr. P. Mueller have carefully ex- 
 amined the specimens forwarded to them from all parts of Aus- 
 tralia, it may be as well to rely on the local names, rather than 
 on those which I may imagine they should have. When I find 
 writers of some eminence referring very different trees to the 
 same species, I cannot but see the inadequacy of the descriptions 
 hitherto relied on ; and I trust that Dr. Mueller's cortical system 
 may be useful in enabling the student to determine at once the 
 group to which any species belongs. This will be a great step 
 towards the elucidation of the difficulty ; for, although in some 
 species the bark varies considerably, yet the Doctor's system is 
 preferable to that of working out species by the comparative 
 length of the operculum, which has undoubtedly led to some con- 
 fusion. However, whether we place any reliance on the length 
 of the operculum, or whether we adopt the difference of the bark 
 as a convenient mark for distinction of species, it seems almost 
 useless in this genus to regard much either the shape or size of 
 the leaves. Beyond indicating the general form of the leaf in 
 any species, and noticing the ramification of the veins, we must- 
 not attribute any importance to the exact outline or measure- 
 ment of the leaves, for sometimes on the very same tree they 
 may be found of various shapes and sizes. Hence I think it by 
 no means improbable that some of the earlier botanists, who des- 
 cribed at a distance, from dried specimens, may have considered 
 mere varieties as distinct species, or what is still more erroneous, 
 
106 A COKTEIBtTTION TO, ETC. 
 
 they may have supposed that the young tree, with its ovate or 
 conuate leaves, is not identical with the more advanced tree with 
 its stalked and lanceolate leaves. With the exception of the 
 gigantic " messmate," which belongs to the Mittagong Eange, I 
 remarked near Berrima a scrubby Eucalyptus, similar to that on 
 the Blue Mountains. This I believe to be Cunningham's E. 
 onicrophylla. Not far from the place where I noticed it, the pow- 
 dery-leaved tree, called the " Argyle apple," was plentiful. There 
 can be but little doubt that this is E. pulv'erulenta It generally 
 appears on rocky places, and never attains any great size. The 
 tree has some resemblance to the apple of these parts {Angoplwra 
 intermedia), but the leaves are much more glaucous. The Camden 
 woolly -but which is so common near Berrima, appears to me to 
 be E. diversifolia, for the leaves are sometimes opposite and some- 
 times alternate, varying in shape from ovate sessile to narrow 
 lanceolate. This is a large tree, very like the wooUy-but of the 
 county of Cumberland in appearance, but the leaves are frequently 
 opposite, and the upper branches smooth : the seed vessels also 
 differ materially. Some time since I was under the impression 
 that our woolly-but Avas E. gompliocepliala, but my learned friend 
 Dr. F. Mueller assures me that that species is restricted to another 
 part of Australia. The mountain ash I find to be E. mrgata, 
 a species not found near Sydney. Influenced by the difference 
 of soil and climate, this useful gum attains a great size, 
 and the wood is very serviceable, being used for shafts, 
 fencing, and other purposes. The bark of this tree is fibrous 
 in the lower part, but the branches are smooth, so that in 
 character and appearance it bears a resemblance to our black- 
 but {E. pilularis). One of the species, which is generally 
 found in low flats, is called " the Lead-coloured" or Water Gum," 
 and seldom exceeds thirty feet. It is a well marked species, 
 having the bark wrinkled below, but the greater part of the tree 
 perfectly smooth and of a lead colour. The wood is not much 
 valued. When I first saw this gum I regarded it as a new 
 species, and suggested to Dr. F. Mueller that it might appro- 
 priately be named in honour of my worthy friend the Eev. James 
 Hassall, of Berrima, who possessing a thorough knowledge of the 
 district in which he resides, takes a j^leasure in conducting his 
 friends through the wildest and most intricate parts of the bush 
 
BEERIMA AND MITTAGONG. 107 
 
 that lie may shew them the hidden beauties of the country. 
 "When Sir William Macarthur was collecting woods for the Ex- 
 hibition, the Eev. J. Hassall rendered him essential service in 
 guiding him to the paj't of the range called "The Sassafras." To 
 the same gentleman, Mr. Moore, Mr. Hill, and subsequently my- 
 eelf, were indebted for a similar favour. I thought, therefore, it 
 would be a graceful compliment to hand down his name to pos- 
 terity in connection with one of the noble trees which he delights 
 to exhibit. It appears, however, that the " lead-coloured gum," 
 though differing in the bark from a species previously described, 
 is in reality a mere variety of E. stellulata, which Dr. F. Mueller 
 found near Lake Omeo, and the sources of the Macallister, and 
 of which I forwarded him specimens from the neighourhood of 
 Mudgee. The white gum of the Berrima district is now ascertained 
 to be E. coriacea, and the yellow gum near Bongbong, a 
 variety of E. Stuartiana. The remaining species which I noticed 
 are identical with those of our district, most of which are de- 
 scribed in the second volume of Dr. P. Mueller's Pragmenta. On 
 my way to the Sassafras I noticed Sowerlcsa juncea, a marsh 
 plant, growing also near Sydney, a plant of the daisy family 
 {Brachycome) , a mid camomile {Helipterum antliemoides), two 
 species of eyebright {Euphrasia speciosa and E. pahidosa), Stack- 
 housia monogyna^ and a Benealmia which seems in some respects to 
 agree with Brown's description of B. pulchella. "Whether the 
 two species B. pamculata and B. pulchella are really distinct, or 
 whether they are two varieties of one species, differing in some 
 respects from the effects of the locality in which they occur, re- 
 mains to be determined. The one termed B. paniculata I have 
 seen in gullies at the Kurrajong, and also in a similar situation 
 near Bent's Basin. It seems to me a larger plant than that near 
 Wingecarribbee, and the leaves are generally rough at the 
 margins. Two remarkable trees of considerable size grow near 
 the Wingecarribbee Swamp, which I am happy to find are accu- 
 rately described in the first and second volume of Mr. Bentham's 
 Flora Australiensis. The one locally termed "Acacia," \b Eu- 
 cryphia Moorei of the Saccifragecd, an ornamental tree, the young 
 shoots and foliage of which are pubescent, and the buds very 
 gummy. The leaves are pinnate and the leaflets from nine to 
 eleven. Mr. Bentham states that flowers and fruit of this species 
 
108 A CONTBIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 are the same as in tlie smaller forms of JE. JBillardiei i, which is a 
 Tasmanian tree. This is one of the most interesting trees of the 
 district, and when not in flower resembles some of the larger 
 species of Acacia. It was first found by Mr. Moore, near the 
 sources of the Clyde and Shoalhaven Eivers, but it appears to be 
 abundant in the Berrima district. I dare say that when this tree 
 becomes better known, it will be introduced into gardens and 
 pleasure grounds. The other tree to which I have referred is 
 ElcBOca/rpus Jiolopetalus of the Tiliacece, the wood of which was 
 taken home to the Exhibition by Sir "William Macarthur ; but as 
 that gentleman had not an opportunity of examining either the 
 flower or seed vessel of the tree, Iiq was unable to determine 
 what it was. The wood was marked number 182, " genus un- 
 known, a beautiful tree with foliage resembling that of the Quercus 
 ilex, wood close grained, and good for joiners' work, from an 
 elevation of about 3000 feet near Berrima. ' ' This noble tree some- 
 times attains eighty feet, and differs from the other species of 
 JElceocarpus in having the petals entire. E. cyaneus which occurs 
 at the North Eocks, near Parramatta, and also in the neighbour- 
 hood of Sydney, has a very extended range, for it is found all 
 along the coast from Wilson's Promontory to Eockhampton. JE. 
 obovatus is also widely spread, and as on the Hunter it was popu- 
 larly called " ash," it has given its name to Ash Island, where 
 formerly the tree used to abound. Both of these species have 
 fringed petals, but the tree from Mittagong differs in that respect, 
 having the petals entire, and hence its specific name, ^^holopetalus.'' 
 Stypandra glauca, a pretty blue flower of the Asphodel family, 
 occurs frequently on the ranges, and a species of Pimelea called 
 " cotton" (P. liypericina) grows abundantly in the more open 
 spots. This is a much larger plant than any Pimelea I had seen 
 previously, being six or eight feet high. The bark is very 
 fibrous, and is much used by the free-selectors for binding up any- 
 thing. In marshy places, I remarked Car ex gracilis and Spergula 
 arvensis, the latter of which although very similar to the European 
 plant, can scarcely be regarded as an introduced species. Mari- 
 ■ anthus procwnbens also was seen in many places. In that part of 
 the Mittagong Eange, which has been recently made the object 
 of free-selection, the dense parts of the forest closely resemble 
 those of Mount Tomah. As the geological formation seems 
 
BEBEIMA AlfD MITTAGONG. 109 
 
 almost identical, and tlie elevation is considerable, being only 700 
 feet less than that of Mount Tomah, many of the same shrubs and 
 trees are found in both places. The principal gum-tree of the 
 range is the Messmate, which in appearance is very similar to 
 stringy bark, but the upper branches are smooth and the bark in- 
 ferior. The origin of the name "Messmate" is somewhat 
 singular. At first the tree was supposed to be stringy bark, but 
 when it was found to differ from that species in the grain of the 
 wood and the fibre of the bark, some one remarked that if the tree 
 were not stringy bark, it was certainly "messmate" to it: hence it 
 was called the Messmate. This species is of gigantic dimensions, 
 being more than IGO feet high and six or seven feet in diameter, 
 and, therefore, the labour of clearing the ground, one would 
 imagine, is somewhat discouraging to settlers. And yet, as I 
 passed along, I heard few complaints on that head, all hands being 
 cheerfully engaged in felling timber, or burning off, or preparing 
 ground already cleared. Most of the men seemed pleased at 
 the idea of being landed proprietors, how limited soever their 
 farms might be ; and one in particular spoke in glowing terms of 
 his future prospects, and said that he already valued his land at 
 £10 per acre. There is, doubtless, a pleasing satisfaction arising 
 from the possession of anything which a man may justly call his 
 own ; and this feeling is probably enhanced by the amount of 
 labour which he expends apon it in improvements. The terms 
 on which land is obtained, are at the rate of £1 per acre, one 
 quarter of the purchase money being paid as a deposit. Accord- 
 ing to the Act of Parliament, no farm can be less than 40 acres 
 nor more than 320 ; so that a person on selecting the smallest 
 block of land has to pay £10, and, at the expiration of three 
 years from the date of purchase, he is expected to tender the 
 remaining £30 to the Colonial Treasurer ; but, should that be 
 inconvenient, the payment ot the balance may be deferred from 
 year to year at a charge of 5 per cent., or on the payment of 30s. 
 per annum. If the terms of the Act be not complied with, the 
 land will revert to the Crown, be liable to be sold at auction, 
 and the deposit be forfeited. 
 
 "Without regarding the political aspect of the question, and the 
 evils which may or may not arise from free selection without 
 survey, in other parts of the colony, I could not but be impressed 
 
110 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 vnth. the idea, that the system of alienating the public lands in 
 small allotments suitable for farms, is calculated to call forth a 
 great deal of physical energy, and to make a hard-working and 
 industrious population. To ascertain the true character of a 
 people, however, it is necessary to reside amongst them for a time, 
 and to watch their habits closely — not merely when they are en- 
 gaged in their ordinary occupations, but also when they relax 
 their exertions for a season, and devote themselves to amusement 
 or recreation. It is under circumstances of the latter kind, that 
 a man's true character becomes developed. "Whilst engaged in 
 labour which is almost habitual to him, the man of moral and 
 religious feeling, can scarcely be distinguished from one of a very 
 opposite character. The physical powers of both may be the 
 same, and both, as far as external appearances are concerned, 
 seem to have the same object in view. It is only when the pres- 
 sure is removed, and a man is as it were off his guard, that we 
 see the startling difference ; for whilst the really good man, in his 
 seasons of leisure, is anxious to promote the moral welfare of his 
 family, and to redeem the time by the study of the Holy Scrip- 
 tures, and by those pursuits which are calculated to elevate his 
 nature, ever regarding himself as one that hereafter must give an 
 account of his stewardship — the opposite character devotes him- 
 self to pleasures of an unprofitable kind, wasting his time and 
 earnings in gambling and dissipation, and laying the foundation 
 for inevitable misery, both for himself and family. Not, there- 
 fore, having had an opportunity of following the free selector, 
 through seasons of relaxation, as well as of active employment, I 
 can speak merely of my impressions from a rapid visit ; and such 
 impressions, I must in candour say, are favourable to the indi- 
 dual himself engaged in the clearing and cultivating of the soil, 
 as well as to any system which is designed to open the resources 
 of the country, and to place small farms in the hands of well dis- 
 posed persons. It was a pleasing feature in the character of 
 many individuals, to hear them speak so anxiously respecting the 
 education of their children, and their earnest desire to have 
 periodical visits from some minister of religion. Where such a 
 desire exists, it is not difficult to foresee that means will be 
 adopted to secure the erection and establishment of schools, and 
 the occasional, if not regular, ministration of religious ordinances. 
 
BEREIMA AND MITTAGOKG. Ill 
 
 In the present posture of affairs, when the settlers, from the want 
 of suitable roads, are unable to send their produce to a good 
 market, there would be much difficulty in raising a salary for a 
 minister, or, even without aid from the Grovernment, of founding 
 a school ; yet I cannot help thinking that a people who seem to 
 appreciate religious services so highly, and who are pleased even 
 with an occasional visit from a minister, will eventually adopt 
 means to secure the accomplishment of their wishes. At all 
 events, it is a subject for consideration for the committee of the 
 Church Society, and other societies which are intended to afford 
 means of propagating the G-ospel in the interior. If one of the 
 objects of free selection is to encourage the emigration of respect- 
 able families with a little capital from the mother country, it 
 seems highly important to give due prominence to the moral as- 
 pect of the question. The class of people best adapted for the 
 kind of life indicated are little farmers, or men accustomed to 
 hard work, who have saved something by their industry, and are 
 desirous of possessing farms of their own. But it can scarcely 
 be expected that the best description of such persons will be in- 
 duced to surrender all the endearments of home, and to seek their 
 fortunes in a distant country, unless they hear that some prelim- 
 inary measures are in progress for the moral and spiritual benefit 
 of those intending to emigrate. 
 
 Having digressed a little from my subject, to glance at the 
 free selectors, I must now refer to other plants found on the 
 range. In addition to the Messmate, the iSassqfras {Doryphora 
 sassafras), is very common in some parts where the sandstone 
 gives way to the trap formation. This fine tree affords timber for 
 flooring boards and house purposes, and the bark is used in de- 
 coctions for its medicinal properties. There is also the tree 
 called " Beech" {Schizomeria ovata), which is nearly allied to 
 Ceratopetalum apetalum. Both of these have soft, light, and close- 
 grained wood, not merely useful for cabinet work, but also much 
 in request for coach-building. They may be noticed likewise in 
 the neighbourhood of Manly Beach, and on the Toongabbee 
 Creek ; but all the trees of this kind in the vicinity of Sydney 
 and Parramatta, are very much stunted in their appearance, when 
 compared with those of the mountains, for at Mount Tomah and 
 the Mittagong Eange, the same species become forest trees, 
 
112 A COXTRITJUTTOX TO, ETC. 
 
 attaining the height of sixty or eighty feet. It seems almost a 
 pity that in the process of clearing, so many valuable trees of 
 beech, and light wood, should be sacrificed to the flames, for in 
 the course of a few years, as railroads extend into the interior, 
 and means are thus aflforded to convey timber to Sydney, such 
 trees will be much sought after. The same remak, indeed, is 
 applicable to other trees in the same locality, such as the " beef 
 Avood," or Stenocarpus saligmis, which on the mountains attains 
 the height of eighty feet, and produces wood of great beauty 
 likely to be useful for veneers in cabinets ; Eugenia Smithii or 
 ""Lilly Pilly," which is also a forest tree with wood which, when 
 properly seasoned, may become valuable to carpenters ; the Poly- 
 osma Cunningliami, or Yerella, " a very beautiful small tree with 
 bright glossy foliage and very fragrant flowers, and soft close- 
 grained wood" (Sir W. Macarthur) ; the black plum or Cargillia 
 Australis, a tree of the ebony family, yielding a fruit eaten by the 
 aborigines, and having very tough wood ; Alphitonia excelsa, or 
 " red ash," a tree sometimes nearly 100 feet high, with close- 
 grained wood; TricliiUa or Synoum glandulosum, or a "native 
 rosewood," a tree which appears very variable in size, for whilst 
 those which I saw on the range were small slender trees, Mr. 
 Moore reports that he found some on the Clarence and Kichmond 
 nearly 100 feet in height, " the timber of which when fresh is of 
 a deep red colour, emitting a scent similar to the common rose, 
 and useful for inside lining of houses and ship building ;" Citpania 
 semiglauca, of the Sopindacece a small tree with hard Avood ; and 
 Brymis dipetala or the "Pepper tree," a shrub with pretty flowers 
 and pungent seeds. The Musk tree or Euryhia argophylla is 
 common in some parts of the range. The leaves of this tree are 
 pervaded by a strong musk-like scent, but it appears after care- 
 ful experiments that the scent cannot be obtained by distillation 
 as an essential oil. Hedycarya or the "spurious mulberry" also 
 occurs in the same locality, and, although of small size, it is said 
 to have a soft beautiful wood quite available for cabinet work. 
 In referring to the woods of the colony, I have been indebted in 
 some instances to the valuable information furnished for the Ex- 
 hibition of 1862 by Sir William Macarthur. The important ser- 
 vices rendered to the colony by that gentleman, in collecting 
 specimens, have been so highly appreciated in Europe, that they 
 
BEERIMA AND MITTAGONG. 113 
 
 need but little commendation from me ; but I feel great pleasure 
 in associating the name of that much esteemed and indefatigable 
 colonist with a subject in which he has manifested so much inte- 
 rest, inasmuch as he, in company with the Eev. J. Hassall, passed 
 over the same ground that I have been considering, and collected 
 many beautiful specimens of wood in the very spots which I have 
 lately had the gratification to visit. Most of the climbers which 
 I noticed were similar to those of Toniah, belonging principally to 
 the genera of Aphanopetalum, Tecoma, Marsdenia, Sinilax, Clssus, 
 Ti/lopJiora, Sarcopetalmi, and Stephania. The orchids, especially 
 the parasitical ones, were also identical, as well as the strong 
 scented shrub Frostantkera, the pretty little Citriohatus or "orange 
 thorn," and a diminutive thorny species of Cantliium, resembling 
 the Bursar in or thorn of the low country. Two of the most re- 
 markable plants of the range are Fieldia australis^ a climbing 
 rooting-stemmed plant adhering to the trunks of the Tree Fern, 
 and belonging to the Bignonia family, but having baccate fruit ; 
 and Quintinia Sieberi, a curious tree, which, although sometimes 
 standing alone in the forest, and attaining a height of forty or fifty 
 feet, is fretjuently to be seen growing from the Tree Fern {Dick- 
 soma antarctica), each having its separate stem in the ground, 
 but so blended together as at first sight to appear one and the 
 same tree. Allan Cunningham was the first who noticed this 
 botanical curiosity, on Mount Tomab, but subsequent observers 
 are of opinion, that this extraordinary tree, although sometimes 
 apparently growing by itself, is nevertheless always propagated 
 in the first instance from the stem of the tree fern. The same 
 opinion is also expressed respecting Eucrypliia Moorei, of which I 
 have already spoken. The cryptogamous botany of the range 
 seems identical with thatof Tomah, the ferns, mosses, and lichens, 
 as far as I was able to observe, being alike in both places. The 
 most striking fern is Dicksonia antarctica, or a tree fern, remark- 
 able for its graceful palm-like appearance, and attaining in favour- 
 able localities a height of thirty feet, and upwards. There were 
 also two other species of tree fern belonging to the genus A Iso- 
 phila {A. Austral is and A. Leichhardtiana), and similar to those 
 occurring within a few miles of Parramatta. The climbing species 
 0? Foli/podiuni (P. tsnellam, P BiUardieri and P. rujestre), very 
 frequently meet the eye of the observer, the most elegant of which 
 
114 A CONTEIBUTIOJ^-^ TO, ETC.. 
 
 P. tenellum, as it winds round tlie trees of tlie dense forest, as- 
 sumes tlie appearance of a Tecoma. The species of Asplenium 
 most abundant are A. nidus, or tlie Bird's Nest Fern, and A. 
 odontites or flaccidum (Hooker), with its pendulous fronds. Lo- 
 maria lanceolata, and L. Patersoni occur frequently, as well as 
 Pteris umhrosa and Nephrodium decompositum, with some species 
 of ScliizcBa, Blechnum, Gleichenia, Lindscea, DavalUa, and Doodia, 
 that are common in our immediate neighbourhood. The ferns 
 most interesting to me, were the small and tender fronds of 
 Tricliomanes venosum and Hpmenophyllmn nitens. These grow 
 plentifully round the stems of the tree ferns, and afford by their 
 bright green fronds, a pleasing contrast to the dark coloured 
 caudices on which they grow. Of the Hymenopliylliun^ I should 
 have felt inclined to make two species, but I perceive that Sir 
 William Hooker, after a careful review of numerous specimens 
 forwarded to him from these colonies, reduces //. nitens and IL 
 Jiabellatum to one species. The only species of Lycopodium which 
 came under my notice was L. tdiyinosum, and of the mosses, which 
 appeared diiferent from those of our neighbourhood, were Ilooheria 
 pennata, two species of Hypnum (probably II. spininerve, and H. 
 clilamydifolliwi), and Leshia mollis. No doubt many more species 
 occur in the more retired and gloomy parts of the range, which I 
 had not leisure to visit, but I scarcely think that the species vary 
 much from those collected near Tomah. 
 
 It is probable that a more careful examination of the range, 
 may reveal other cryptogamous plants, especially of the more mi- 
 nute ferns and mosses, but I doubt very much whether any really 
 new species remain to be discovered in that part. I think it 
 likely, however, that some of the admired ferns of the Kurrajong 
 and Tomah, such as Leptopteris Fraseri, PicJcsonia davallioides, and 
 NepJirodium molle may yet be found in the ranges. The Nepliro- 
 dium decompositum is identical with that of Tomah, but it varies 
 considerably in form and appearance from the same species when 
 growing in shady and damp gullies. In Sir William Hooker's 
 opinion, several ferns hitherto deemed distinct, must be referred 
 to this species. 
 
 In concluding my remarks on the botany of the Berrima Dis- 
 trict, I cannot but express the pleasure I felt in visiting a most 
 wild and romantic part of the colony, where I had an opportunity 
 
BEBEIMA AND MITTAGONG. 115 
 
 of examining in a living state many plants quite new to me, and 
 of noticing some of the results of "free selection." It has long 
 appeared to me a most desirable object to place industrious 
 families on small farms, and I cannot but hope that the experi- 
 ment now being tried on the Mittagong Eange, may turn out 
 favourably. I am not called upon in any way to speculate on 
 social and political difficulties, that may arise from affording 
 facilities for the occupation of remote lands, in which from the 
 want of proper communication with the nearest towns, the settlers 
 may be exposed to hardship from inability to dispose of their 
 super-abundant produce. Nor need I dwell too much upon the 
 establishment of people in a remote district, where according to 
 the ideas of some persons, a populalion must grow up without 
 moral and religious influences. I prefer to view things as they 
 are. Possessing a healthy and bracing climate calculated to de- 
 velop the physical energies of the people, and favoured with a 
 soil which seems adapted for the raising of agricultural produce, 
 as well as the cultivation of many European fruits and grasses, I 
 can scarcely wonder that some of the settlers are already looking 
 forward to a time when their industry will be rewarded. As we 
 have seen, from a brief glance at the timber of the district, the 
 settlers are surrounded by dense and beautiful woods, which, as 
 the country is opened and facilities are afforded for better means 
 of communication, may become really valuable, not merely from the 
 practical uses to which many of the trees may be devoted, but also 
 from the different kinds of oil which may be extracted from their 
 leaves — a subject far too extensive to be discussed in the present 
 paper, as may be seen by reference to the catalogue of the Victo- 
 rian Exhibition for 1861. Amongst the woods submitted for exam- 
 ination, it is somewhat remarkable that the specific gravity of our 
 common wooUy-but is 1 "187, which seems rather high when com- 
 pared with the other woods, for none of the gums, with the ex- 
 ception of the ironbark and box, stand nearly so high. It seems 
 to me that the specimens of this wood which were procured from 
 Gippsland, must be of a closer grain than ours, or else that the 
 result of steam drying to which this gum was subjected, has given 
 it a comparative increase of gravity. The leaves from which the 
 essential oil was extracted were forwarded by me from Parramatta 
 ^nd this oil exhibits the remarkable property of imparting an in^ 
 
116 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 delible transparent stain to paper, indicating that a resin is pro- 
 bably held by it in solution. In a kerosene lamp, this fluid gives 
 a good bright, clear flame, but somewhat inferior to kerosene in 
 intensity. 
 
 And with regard to the moral aspect of the question, I 
 cannot but see that whilst deprived of many comforts and ad- 
 vantages resulting from town-life, the settlers are removed from 
 many temptations. People are not always moral and religious 
 in proportion to their proximity to " the sound of the Church 
 going bell," as the condition of too many large town^ unhappily 
 testifies ; nor do men always value ordinances which are con- 
 veyed, as it were almost to their doors, without any trouble 
 or expense on their part. If, therefore, in a remote district, the 
 population, feeling the want of those religious privileges to which 
 they have been accustomed in their earlier years, are disposed to 
 make some sacrifice to establish Divine service amongst them, and 
 to offer unto the Lord their God that which costs them something, 
 they will afford a noble example of the efficacy of Christian prin- 
 ciples, and prove to their fellow-colonists that as the G-ospel is of 
 Divine origin, it must continue to extend its salutary influence, 
 whether supported by the Governments of this world or not ; 
 and that in due time the promises God to His Church will be 
 faithfully and literally accomplished. " The kings of the earth," 
 indeed, "may set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, 
 against the Lord, and against His Anointed," but we are assured 
 that in spite of every opposition, the period will at length arrive 
 when " the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as 
 the waters cover the sea." 
 
 And here I might very properly close my remarks, but perhaps 
 some apology is due for having amalgamated in one paper topics 
 which some persons may deem incongruous. Botany, free se- 
 lection, and the claims of religion, have all passed rapidly before 
 us ; and yet when we consider the common bond of union, which 
 either directly or indirectly connects every pursuit of this lower 
 world, and the sanctifying influence which religion sheds on the 
 discoveries of science, I cannot but think that we should rejoice 
 in every opportunity of associating any objects which are calcu- 
 lated to promote the glory of God, or to elevate the moral nature 
 of man. As we pursue our course through this wide and beauti* 
 
BEEEIMA AND MITTAGONG. 117 
 
 ful world, it behoves us to take an extensive survey of all around 
 
 us, that we may see the harmony and perfection of God's works, 
 
 and acquire a comprehensive view of the admirable " adjustments 
 
 which exist in creation as a whole." 
 
 " Happy is he who lives to understand 
 Not human nature only, but explores 
 All natures, — to the end that he may find 
 The law that gorerns each ; . . . . 
 
 that does assign 
 
 To every class its station and its office 
 
 Through all the mighty commonwealth of things. 
 
 Up from the creeping plant to sovereign man." 
 
 And if on any occasion it is expedient to introduce the claims of 
 religion, and to show that the investigations of science are not in- 
 consistent w^th the moral and spiritual interests of our fellow- 
 men, it must be peculiarly appropriate to dwell on such topics 
 when addressing the members and friends of a society which is 
 engaged, in any degree, how humble soever it may be, in swelling 
 the notes of that angelic anthem, " Grlory to Grod in the highest, 
 and on earth peace, goodwill towards men." To confine myself 
 to mere matters of detail, would amount almost to a dereliction 
 of duty; for whilst the Church Society, or, shall I say, the 
 Christian Church, has such claims upon its sympathies, and so 
 many in isolated spots are echoing the cry to send them help, I 
 feel happy in directing the attention of my fellow- Christians to 
 the present posture of affairs, with a view of stirring up the 
 slumbering energies of those who have the means of rendering 
 material aid to the propagation of the Grospel. Such a topic as 
 this, I must repeat, is appropriate at any time when addressed to 
 a religious society, but it is certainly so in an eminent degree 
 when we consider that legislative aid is gradually dying out, and 
 that the church must now throw herself upon the sympathies and 
 affections of the people. In such circumstances, we cannot too 
 strongly protest against the notion which even yet lingers in 
 many minds, that the bishops, or the clergy, or any church officers 
 constitute " the Church." Every believer in Christ who has 
 been admitted into the Church by baptism is a member of the 
 same, and, no matter how humble his position in society, he must 
 be regarded as an integral portion of the Church. If the laity in 
 general could realise this idea, and the responsibility which it en- 
 tails upon them, " numbers' and perseverance," to use an expres- 
 
118 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 sion of our late Bishop, would soon accomplish much more than 
 State-aid has ever yet done ; and in that case the very measure, 
 which some denounce as an unmitigated evil, would tend to de- 
 velop the resources of the Church, and expand the affections of 
 the faithful. Out of apparent misfortune, therefore, good may 
 arise, and thus, by a mysterious dispensation, the clouds and 
 darkness, which now seem to envelop what may be termed, the 
 transition state of the Church in these colonies, may clear away, 
 and thus introduce a purer state of things. There is, ilideed, a 
 mystery in all around us — whether we regard the natural or the 
 moral world — and as a late writer remarks "the more we ex- 
 amine into all God's ways and doings in providence and grace, 
 the more are we led to see the force of the Apostle's state- 
 ment, — ' O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and know- 
 ledge of God ! How unsearchable are His judgments and His 
 ways past finding out !'" 
 
 " So He ordained, whose way is in the sea, 
 His path amidst great waters, and His steps 
 Unknown; whose judgments are a mightj deep, 
 Where plummet of Archangel's intellect 
 Could never yet find soundings, but from age 
 To age let down, drawn up, then thrown again, 
 With lengthened line and added weight, still fails; 
 And still the cry in Heaven is, ' O, the depth !'" 
 
 DE. F. MUELLER'S LITHOGRAMS OF 
 NATIVE PLANTS. 
 
 (4to 1865.) 
 T\ E. r. Mueller's last work on " the Plants indigenous to the 
 colony of Victoria," has briefly been noticed in the daily 
 papers, but I think that a publication so eminently calculated to 
 make known the Flora of Australia, deserves additional consider- 
 ation. In the article to which I refer, it was remarked " although 
 the illustrations are principally designed to make known the 
 plants of Victoria, the reader will perceive that many of the 
 species are common in other parts of Australia ; and, therefore 
 
DE. I*, mtjeller's lithogbams. 119 
 
 tlie work before us will be regarded as a most valuable accom- 
 paniment to tbe Flora Australiensis." The truth of this observa- 
 tion must be evident to every one who has carefully examined 
 the work, for of the sixty-six lithograms presented to the public by 
 the learned doctor, no less than thirty-seven of them are illustra- 
 tions of species common to "New South Wales and Victoria, whilst 
 eighteen may be regarded as typical of genera scattered widely 
 over the continent of Australia. In referring to the great utility 
 of the work, therefore, as affording assistance to the student of 
 Australian botany, and enabling him to recognise some of our 
 most interesting plants, it may be well to remark that although 
 the illustrations were "principally designed" for a limited flora, 
 they are in reality of a much more expansive character, and throw 
 considerable light on the obscure structure and remarkable pecu- 
 liaraties of many Australian genera. The importance of this con- 
 sideration may be inferred by consulting the species of the follow- 
 ing genera, as described by Dr. F. Mueller: — 
 
 1. Acacia 7, Muryhia 13. Prostanthera 
 
 2. Antennaria or Gnapltalium 8. Galium 14. StackJwusia 
 
 3. Bauera 9. Grevillea 15. Stenanthera 
 
 4. Calotis 10. Mirhelia IG. Sti/lidium 
 
 5. Cassinia 11. Plantago 17. Tetragonia 
 
 6. Conospermum 12. Pomaderris 18. Veronica 
 Although the identical species of these genera do not occur in 
 
 our immediate neighbourhood, yet they faithfully exhibit the 
 generic characters which associate them with other species 
 familiar to us ; and thus they must contribute and tend materi- 
 ally to assist the student in the labour of classification. If, for 
 instance, the first lithogram be examined, viz., that of Tetragonia 
 implexicoma, no one can fail to observe its striking resemblance 
 to T. expansa or the " Kew Zealand Spinach," whether, indeed, 
 he regards the general appearance of the plant, or the organic 
 structures developed in the sectional drawings. Hence the 
 student, who is acquainted with Dr. Mueller's lithograms, when 
 meeting with the spinach so common in some parts of our coast, 
 will find no difiiculty in ascertaining the genus to which it belongs. 
 Take again the pretty little Bauer a figured by Dr. Mueller, and 
 compare it with the species at the North Shore and other places 
 near Sydney, and it will be found that the lithogram connects 
 
120 A CONTEIBrTIOJ^ TO, ETC. 
 
 the two species together in an unmistakeable manner, so that 
 whilst studying the peculiarities of a plant found on Mount 
 William, the mind will associate them with those of another 
 species in the immediate neighbourhood of our metropolis. I 
 might, indeed, go through the species of all the eighteen genera, 
 and show how profitably they could be studied with a view of be- 
 coming acquainted with our own flora of Australia in general; 
 but as I think this must be abundantly evident to the careful ob- 
 server, I shall proceed to notice particularly the plants which are 
 common to both colonies. Of these it may be interesting to re- 
 mark nine species were described many years ago, by the cele- 
 brated Bobert Erown, viz., Boerliavia onutahlis, Cassia platypoda, 
 Cassytha glahella, Lobelia purpurescens, Lyonsia straminea, JHyrsine 
 variabilis, Notelcea liyustrina, Persoonia Galeyi, and Taxanihema 
 Australis. The first of these plants is placed by Brown 
 amongst the tropical ones, but since the publication of the Pro- 
 dromus, Boerliavia has been found not only in Victoria, but in 
 many parts of the interior of this colony. Dr. Mueller's figure 
 is so well executed that, in comparing it with a specimen T lately 
 received from the neighbourhood of Mudgee, it was impossible to 
 mistake the species. Cassia platypoda is described in the Elora 
 Australiensis (vol. 2, p. 287), under the name of C. eremophila. 
 It is a species found in Eastern, Western, and Southern Australia. 
 Cassytha is a parasitical plant, resembling the dodder in ap- 
 pearance, and C; glabella and other allied species are so common 
 in Eastern Australia, that the lithogram will easily be recognised. 
 The uses of this plant are not known, but the fruit (which is a nut 
 coated by 'the permanent calyx) is sometimes eaten by our colonial 
 youths. Lobelia purpurascens is a pretty little flov/er common in 
 our creeks, but whilst interesting in a scientific point of view, it 
 is not likely to find favour amongst gardeners. Lyonsia straminea 
 is a climbing plant of the Apocynacese, more remarkable for its 
 comose seeds than for the beauty of its flowers. I have lately 
 noticed a Lyonsia on General Macarthur's estate, which has nearly 
 reached to the top of a swamp oak. Myrsine variabilis is a shrub 
 of the same family as the Ardisia, and it is well named variable, 
 for hot only the leaves, but the genei'al character of the plant is 
 much influenced by the locality in which it grows. In comparing 
 some of the diminutive shrubs of this species growing near the salt 
 
i)B. F. mxtellee's lithogeams. 121 
 
 water witli others flourisliing on fresh water creeks, one might be 
 led to separate them ; and yet there is nothing in these varieties to 
 m'lrk specific characters. Notcdea Ugustrina, or one of our native 
 olives, is another of Brown's plants. The allied species N. ovata 
 is much more common in this colony, and I believe it was from 
 that species that Mr. IShepherd succeeded in obtaining some good 
 specimens of olive oil. Persoonia Caleyi does not occur in the 
 neighbourhood of Sydney, but it closely resembles some of the 
 species so familiar to us under the name ol geebung. Taxanthema 
 Australis is now transferred to the genus Statice. It is mentioned 
 as one of the plants found in the early days of the colony at Port 
 Jackson and Hunter's Eiver, but I do not think it can be common, 
 as I have never succeeded in finding it in a wild state 
 
 Having noticed the lithograms which illustrate the plants de- 
 scribed by Brown, I now turn to those remaining figures which 
 also represent species common to New South Wales and Victoria. 
 Of these (exclusive of Mirbelia occylohioides, which is said to have 
 been found in Argyle by Cunningham), there are twenty-eight 
 lithograms of plants which occur in various parts of the colony, some 
 near the coast, and others in the interior. The family which Dr. 
 Mueller has laboured most efiectually to describe is that of the 
 Composites, which, whether regarded as one of the most extensive 
 in this part of the world, or whether contemplated as exercising 
 more profoundly than any other, the skill of the scientific botanist, 
 is attended with much difficulty. In other orders, flowers which 
 closely resemble each other may frequently be referred to their 
 respective genera with moderate care and attention ; but amongst 
 Composites it sometimes happens that plants which are widely 
 separated by technical distinctions, appear very similar in their 
 general characters, the classification depending mainly on the 
 shape of the style. Amongst these Composites, there are eight 
 species figured which may be said to belong to this colony, viz. : — 
 Solenoggne helUoides ; Senecio vagus; Myriogyne Canninghami ; 
 Eclipta platyglossa ; Elacliothmnnus CumnngJiami; Humea ozo- 
 thamnoides ; Folycalymma Stuartii ; and Uthuliopsis dioica. The 
 first of these Composites is a little plant of the daisy kind, which, 
 perhaps, is one of the commonest we have ; but unless considered 
 microscopically with reference to the adaptation of its organs for 
 the functions designed by nature, it has but little beauty to re- 
 
 9 
 
122 A CONTEIBTTTION TO, ETC, 
 
 commend it. Senecio vagus is of the groundsel genus, and whilst, 
 according to Dr. Mueller, it flourishes in shady, moist valleys of 
 the Dandenong ranges of Mount Disappointment, and on the 
 Delatite, I have collected specimens of it on creeks in the county 
 of Camden. Myriogyne Cunninghami is an insignificant little plant, 
 remarkable for the abundance of its female florets, and if not iden- 
 tical with the species common in the neighbourhood of Sydney, is 
 certainly closely allied to it. Eclipta platyglossa is a small trail- 
 ing plant with yellow flowers and opposite leaves. "We have 
 hitherto regarded it as a species of Wedelia, but whether the 
 species found in moist places in the county of Cumberland, is dis- 
 tinct from that collected at the Clapence, remains for consider- 
 ation. Dr. Mueller's figure suggests the propriety of regarding 
 them as difierent species. JElacTiothamnus Cunninghami has been 
 sometimes referred to Therogeron, and sometimes to Erigeron. It 
 does not appear to grow near Sydney, but it has been noticed in 
 the interior, particularly on the Darling and Macquarie. Humea 
 ozothamnoides does not at all resemble the species of Humea so 
 common near Sydney and Parramatta, and so remarkable for its 
 strong scented, tobacco-like leaves, but it looks like a Gassinia 
 or Ozothamnus. Dr. Mueller, who first noticed this species on the 
 Upper Murray and the Snowy Eiver, regarded it as the type of a 
 new genus {llceckerid)^ but subsequently he referred it to Humea 
 (Erag. vol. 1, p. I?)- Polycalymma Stuartii is a largish flower, 
 consisting of a dense head of yellow florets, and belonging to a 
 genus established by Dr. Mueller in 1852. I have never seen it 
 in a living state, but my friend Mr. Frederick Suttor sent me 
 some good specimens of it from the Darling. Ethidiopsis dioica 
 is the Ethulia of Sir Thomas Mitchell, and the JEpaltes of De Can- 
 dolle, and is remarkable for its dioecious flowers, the male and 
 female plants being distinct. The figure deserves attentive study, 
 and, in common with the other Composites of the work, afi'ords 
 much assistance to any one desirous of arranging such flowers on 
 proper principles, and of referring them to their appropriate place 
 in the natural system. This flower occurs on the Macquarie, 
 Lachlan, Murrumbidgee, Murray, and Darling. Two of the myr- 
 taceous lithograms represent trees which are very interesting. 
 Eucalyptus odorata ia the "peppermint" of South Australia, but 
 it is said to extend as far as New England. "Whether this is 
 
BE. F. Mueller's lithogeams. 123 
 
 really the case, or whether the New England species is E. piperita, 
 remains yet to be determined. In the present unsettled state of 
 the genus, when all the known species are passing under the care- 
 ful review of Mr. Bentham .and Dr. E. Mueller, for the purpose 
 of identification and scientific arrangement, it would be inexpe- 
 dient to form any definite opinion. I cannot, however, agree 
 with the view expressed in the Fragmenta (vol. 2, p. 66), that j&. 
 odorata is scarcely to be separated from J&. populnea or E. populi- 
 folia. They appear distinct species, and I think that when the 
 Doctor compares his own elegant figure of the species with that 
 of Sir "William Hooker's, he will modify the opinions which he has 
 published on the subject. The other Myrtaceous tree is that for- 
 merly known as Eugenia Smithii or Acmena elliptica, but now 
 transferred to the genus Syzygium, as >S'. Irachynemum. This is 
 our " Lilly Pilly," which although on our creeks a small tree, at- 
 tains, in favourable localities, the height of eighty feet or more, 
 and afi'ords excellent timber for carpenters and coopers. The 
 figure of this tree is perfectly correct, but it scarcely conveys an 
 adequate impression of the freshness and beauty ofthe Lilly Pilly 
 as seen on the banks of our creeks or shady gullies. When the 
 fruit is ripe, and its white, purple, or plum-coloured tints afford a 
 pleasing relief to the dark and sombre evergreen leaves around it, 
 there is scarcely a prettier object. The berries vary very much 
 in colour, and before they assume the shrivelled appearance, as 
 represented in the figure, are decidedly ornamental. Of the 
 leguminosse, I notice only two which can strictly be said to be- 
 long to this colony, viz., Trigonella suavissima and Psoralea acafi' 
 tliocarpa. The first of these was particularly noticed by Sir 
 Thomas Mitchell in his expedition on the Darling, but it seems 
 to have been previously collected by Cunningham on MoUe's 
 Plains : the other is now called Glycyrrhiza psoraleoides and grows 
 on the Lachlan and Darling. Celastrus Australis is a tall woody 
 climber not uncommon in some parts of the bush in the county of 
 Camden ; and Samhucus xantlwcarpa, or the native elder, with 
 yellow fruit, may be found near Sydney. 
 
 Both of these shrubs will be easily recognised, as also our 
 native raspberry (JRuhus parviflorus) which some have thought 
 might be much improved as a fruit by grafting and proper culti- 
 vation. Of the Groodeniacese, there is a figure of Velleya connata, 
 
124 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 whicli resembles V. lyrata that occurs frequently near Eandwick ; 
 but it seems to be more closely allied to V. perfoliata^ a species 
 somewhat rare, which Miss Atkinson found near the Valley of 
 the G-rose. It is described in Brown's Prodromus as a species 
 belonging to Port Jackson and the Hunter, on the authority of 
 Alexander Gordon. The plant figured by Dr. F. Mueller has 
 not been found in this neighbourhood, and it seems to belong 
 almost* exclusively to Victoria, as it was collected at the boundary 
 between the two colonies. Logania nuda is an almost leafless 
 shrub with small flowers, found principally on the banks of the 
 Murray. L. florihunda, which is common with us, differs very 
 much from this species in appearancd and character, and is one 
 of the few Australian flowers that is remarkable for its scent. 
 Our little L. pusilla is a very diminutive plant, with white flowers 
 and triangular interpetiolary stipules. L. nuda is elaborately de- 
 scribed by Dr. F. Mueller in the Pragmenta (vol. 1, p. 129). 
 Zehneria micrantJia, or Cucumis Muelleri, is an interesting plant of 
 the CucurbitaceaB or cucumber family, and in the Pragmenta it 
 is said to be indigenous on the Murray and the Darling. Some 
 little time since I received a specimen from Duck Creek, and I 
 felt pleased with it, as being one of a very small family in this 
 colony, for with the exception of our native gourd {Sicyos Aus- 
 tralisy or S. angulatd), I am not aware that any other species of 
 the order exists near us. The figure of Loranthvs eucalyptioides 
 of the mistletoe family is so much like the ordinary forms of 
 Loranthiis prevailing in this colony, that I feel little hesitation in 
 claiming it as one of our native mistletoes. At present, there is 
 some difficulty in defining the species, as it seems that several 
 forms have flowers almost identical, whilst the leaves vary ac- 
 cording to the nature of the tree on which they are parasitical. 
 This circumstance has not escaped the notice of Dr. P. Mueller, 
 who remarks : " All the described species require a careful new 
 disquisition, as they are not only parasites of various plants similar 
 to each other, but also of genera of very difterent natural orders." 
 Thus, L. eucalyptioides produces, as long as it adheres to Eucalypti 
 or Casuarinos, or now also to Virgilia capensis, long falcate leaves, 
 which, when the plant receives its nourishment from BanJcsia in- 
 tegrifolia assume an ovate orbicular shape, and a very fleshy con- 
 sistence, whilst the flowers become sessile. (Definitions &c., by 
 
DE. F. mtjellee's lithogeams. 1^5 
 
 r. Mueller, p. 48). If this be correct, the number of species com- 
 monly so called must be considerably diminished, and a question 
 of no little interest must be raised a-s to the possibility of rearing 
 very different forms from similar seeds. It may be well to ob- 
 serve that the species of Loranthus are not dioecious as the 
 European mistletoe is, the latter genus being represented in this 
 colony by Viscum incanum. or aureum, a parasite on Eucali/ptij and 
 Angophoros occuring in different places from Twofold Bay to the 
 Burnett. The variety V. aureum was collected on Ash Island by 
 Miss H. Scott, and on the Blue Mountains by Miss Atkinson : it 
 does not appear common in New South Wales. Mremophila hig- 
 nonifiora of the Myoporum family is found in the northern parts 
 of this colony, as well as in Victoria. It was collected by Sir 
 Thomas Mitchell and others, and is worthy of cultivation. I 
 scarcely know whether I should include ^ebcea alUdiHora of the 
 Gentian family amongst our indigenous flowers, as it seems to be- 
 long rather to Tasmania or Victoria. If, however, the exact 
 species does not occur in this colony (of which I am by no means 
 certain), we have L. ovata, which, with the exception of the colour 
 of the corolla, resembles it very closely, and probably possesses 
 the same qualities. These little medicinal plants, together with 
 Erythrcea Australis, are valuable for their bitter properties, and 
 are used with good effect in certain stages of dysentery. The 
 asclepiad Bhyncharrhena quinquepartita is found on the Murray 
 and Darling, whilst an allied species occurs on the Suttor and Daw- 
 son. In the neighbourhood of Sydney this order is represented 
 by Marsdenia and Tglopliora, some of which are remarkable for 
 their milky juice. One of the former is rather an elegant climber, 
 with sweet-scented flowers, and another of the same genus has 
 large tuberous roots, which are said to be edible when boiled. 
 Dr. Mueller's Solanum vescum, which he regards as " a new in- 
 digenous fruit of Victoria," seems almost identical with S. lacini- 
 atum or our kangaroo apple. The native name of this fruit is 
 " gunyang," and the Doctor says that hitherto it has been found 
 only in Gripps Land Without expressing any opinion on the 
 subject, I am tempted to make particular reference to it, as in the 
 course of my rambles in the bush, I have certainly seen forms of 
 Solanum very like that represented by the Doctor's figure. It 
 seems probable that the exact species may occur in some parts of 
 
126 A CONTEIEtJTIOIS' TO, ETC. 
 
 the colony, and that hitherto it has been confounded with S. 
 laciniatum. The pretty genus Halgania is brought before us in the 
 figure of H. andromedifolia, which has been collected at the Mur- 
 ray, Lake Tyrrel, and Phillip's Eange. The flowers of a species 
 which I received from the Lachlan, were of a beautiful blue 
 colour, the brilliancy of which remained for a long time even in a 
 dried specimen. Of the Euphorbiacese, the Doctor has given a 
 figure of Bertya gummifera or oleifolia which deserves attentive 
 consideration from the faithful manner in which the minute parts 
 of the flowers are represented. By studying this species, a per- 
 son may easily recognise other species which occur twenty or 
 thirty miles from Sydney, especially B. pomaderrioides, which I 
 found some little time since in a gully, near Bent's Basin. Dr. 
 Mueller, to whom I forwarded my specimen, regarded this as a 
 new species, and described it as such in the Eragmenta (vol. 4, p. 
 34). Tillcea ^urpurata is of the Crassulacese, and in the Elora 
 Australiensis, it is noticed as one of E. Brown's plants, Parra- 
 matta. There are two species of the genus here, but they are so 
 small and insignificant that they would escape the notice of any 
 one excepting the systematic observer. The figure of Saloragis 
 odontocarpa gives a good idea of the family with which it is as- 
 sociated, and will enable the student to make out the other 
 species which frequently occur in the damp places around us. I 
 have collected four or five, but they are not remarkable for any 
 beauty, nor do they appear to possess any important properties. 
 The last plant to be noticed is Fanax dendroides of the Araliacea?. 
 This is common in the vallies of Southern and Eastern ranges of 
 Victoria, and it also grows in some parts of New South "Wales. 
 P. elegans was collected on Ash Island by Miss H. Scott, and P. 
 samhucifolium is abundant on our creeks. P. Miirrayi from 
 Twofold Bay, is stated by Dr. Mueller to be a very noble and 
 graceful tree, attaining the height of sixty feet. 
 
 Dr. Mueller's lithograms must prove of incalculable advantage 
 to those who are engaged in the study of Australian botany, and 
 indeed to that large class of persons who, being content with a 
 general knowledge of matters, may rest satisfied with being able 
 to refer a plant to its natural order without entering into those 
 minute details which are the objects of systematic botany. Eor 
 the further accomplishment of this purpose, I think that a brief 
 
DE. F. mtelleb's lithogbams. 127 
 
 synopsis of the natural orders most prevalent in Australia, would 
 assist very much in conveying correct impressions to the reader. 
 Dr. r. Mueller has already furnished a table of the kind in the 
 first volume of his work on Victorian Plants, and a similar one 
 might advantageously be added to the publication now under con- 
 sideration. The present volume does not supply a type of all the 
 great orders of this vast continent, as the Rutacece, Dilleniacece, 
 SapindacecB, &c., are as yet unrepresented in these lithograms ; 
 and of the three extensive orders (UpacridacecB, Mi/rtacece, and 
 Compositid), so beautifully illustrated in the figures I have noticed, 
 the Composite is the only order that is so fully represented as 
 many will desire. As the work progresses, however, we may be 
 assured that all the orders found in Australia will be duly and 
 faithfully delineated by the learned Doctor, and that he will spare 
 no exertion to render it as useful and popular as it can be. The 
 design of the Doctor is certainly a step in the right direction, for 
 whilst the " Fragmenta Phytographise Australiae," and even the 
 '' Flora Australiensis," may remain as sealed books to many, every 
 one will admire and appreciate the elegance and accuracy of the 
 lithograms. It might be wished, indeed, now that photography 
 is rendering invaluable aid to various branches of science, that 
 means could be adopted to place within reach of every one 
 anxious to gain some knowledge of the vegetable kingdom in Aus- 
 tralia, copies of these lithograms at a moderate price, and perhaps 
 of reduced size. The splendid volume now before the world, 
 which reflects so much lustre on the talents of Dr. Mueller and 
 the liberality of the Victorian Government, must necessarily be 
 an expensive work, and consequently not accessible to the masses. 
 Hence I have ventured to offer to my excellent friend, a sugges- 
 tion which I trust may lead to practical results, and throw ad- 
 ditional brilliancy on the reputation he has acquired throughout 
 the civilised world. Scientific works, and more especially when 
 illustrated, are usually very expensive, and on that account I sup- 
 pose, more than any other, we seldom meet with such books as 
 "Harvey's Australian Sea Weeds," or "Hooker's Species of 
 Perns," in private libraries. Any one who contributes to the 
 dissemination of useful knowledge by reducing the expenses of 
 publication, and by popularising the scientific labours of the 
 learned, may justly be deemed a man of progress in the most en- 
 
128 A CONTEIBXITION TO, ETC. 
 
 larged sense. Dr. Mueller has evidently felt the force of this 
 consideration, for whilst soliciting the sympathy and co-operation 
 of the colonial Governments, and thus endeavouring to effect 
 objects which are unattainable by isolated individuals, he has 
 adopted two measures which cannot fail to advance the cause he 
 has so near his heart. He has, in the first place, laid before the 
 Australian public, in the " vulgar tongue," a mass of varied and 
 useful information respecting the flora of this country; and, 
 secondly, he has illustrated, in a popular manner, some of the 
 most interesting species common to these colonies. 
 
 M 
 
 PLANTS FROM THE DAWSON AND THE DARLING 
 DOWNS. 
 
 (1866) 
 T friends Mr. E. Eoss, of Dyngie, near Banana, and Mr. James 
 Mills, of the Darling Downs, have lately forwarded to me 
 some interesting specimens which they had collected in their 
 respective rambles. As many of the plants which these gentle- 
 men noticed, are but little knoAvn in this part of Australia, it may 
 not be unprofitable to make some remarks on the collection 
 transmitted to me. Amongst the Proteaceous shrubs which Mr. 
 Hoss saw on the Dawson, are Hakea lorea and Grevillea striata, 
 the former being remarkable for its thong-like leaves, sometimes 
 measuring two feet in length, and for its hard woody seed vessel, 
 and winged seed. The species of Hakea common in the neigh- 
 bourhood of Sydney, are H. jpungioniformis, H gibbosa, H. aci- 
 cularis, H. saligna, and H. dactyloides, which, although differing 
 in foliage and habit, may be easily recognised by their woody 
 follicles, which after a time split in half and display two black 
 seeds with a long broad wing at one end of them. The Grevillea 
 of the Dawson has long rush-like leaves, and seems identical 
 with that found on the Castlereagh. The species of the genus 
 
QUEENSLAND. 129 
 
 near Sydney, are merely shrubs (viz., O, punicea, G. sericea, and 
 G. Iinea7ns), with purple and white flowers, not very ornamental ; 
 but on the Eichmond Eiver, the silky oak ( G. i ohustd) is a very 
 fine tree, sometimes attaining the height of 70 feet, and affording 
 a suitable wood for the staves of casks, whilst the bright orange 
 colour of its flowers gives it a very showy appearance. This and 
 some other species of Grevillea, have been cultivated with suc- 
 cess ; but the smaller and more delicate species, such as G. Baueri 
 and others, seem rather impatient under the care of the gardener, 
 and do not display the same beauty which is so attractive in their 
 native scrubs. Xylomelum pyriforme^ " the wooden pear," oc- 
 curs on the Darling Downs, and so also does Conospermum ellip- 
 ticum, a herbaceous plant with dull white flowers. Other Pro- 
 teaceous plants, not very far from the same locality, are enum- 
 erated in Sir Thomas Mitchell's Tropical Australia ; but it has 
 been justly remarked that " from the parallel of the mass, the 
 order diminishes in both directions, but the diminution towards 
 the north appears to be more rapid on the East, than on the West 
 Coast." The leguminous plants forwarded to me, with the excep- 
 tion of Canavallia ohtusifolia and Vigna vexillata, and some species 
 of Acacia, do not occur near Sydney. The Oanavallia is a long 
 trailing plant with purple flowers and large pods, and must be 
 familiar to those who are in the habit of amusing themselves on 
 the rocks at Manly Beach. The Viyna is another twiner of a 
 similar character, and nearly allied to the kidney bean. It seems 
 to have a very extensive range, as it has been gathered in many 
 places between the Blue Mountains and the northern parts of 
 Australia, being identical with the species found in tropical Asia, 
 Africa, and America. Mr. Eoss mentions the occurrence of the 
 coral tree (^Erythrina vespertilio), with leaves resembling a 
 bat's wing extended. Sir T. Mitchell found this tree at the base 
 of Mount P. P. King, and particularly observed the pod, which 
 contains two peas of a bright scarlet colour, about the shape and 
 size of a Prench bean. The natives use the trunk of this tree for 
 various purposes, but it seldom attains more than a foot in diam- 
 eter. The " Bat's Wing coral tree" is now cultivated in the 
 neighbourhood of Sydney. Another leguminous tree which at- 
 tracted Mr. Eoss's attention was Bauhinia Carronii. The leaves 
 of the genus are remarkable, the leaflets being either two distinct 
 
130 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC, 
 
 from the base, or united into an entire or two lobed leaf, with five 
 to eleven digitate nerves. Tliree species are described in the 
 " Flora Australiensis," and since the publication of that work, a 
 fourth species with very small leaves has been found near the 
 Grulf of Carpentaria. Hovea longipes, Mitchell's H. leiocarpa, is 
 also on the Dawson, and, in some respects, resembles the species 
 near Sydney in the blue pea-shaped flowers and somewhat ovoid 
 pods ; but from the report of my friend, it is a much larger shrub, 
 the trunk being nearly two inches in diameter. The wood, when 
 polished, is rather ornamental, as it is marked with dark yellow 
 and brown streaks. This is the same shrub which Mitchell 
 noticed in a valley near the Belyamdo, which he says " was gay 
 with the ultramarine blue flowers" of the Rovea. The species of 
 Acacia seem to be very numerous in North-eastern Australia, and 
 two of them (^A. homalophylla and A. pendula) have a dark 
 coloured fragrant wood, better known by the name of myall, 
 which the natives sometimes make into boomerangs, and the stock- 
 men into whip handles. The myall is often referred to by travel- 
 lers in Australia, and is distinguished by its abundance of yellow 
 flowers, silvery drooping branches, and the violet perfume of its 
 wood. My young friend sent me ten different species of Acacia 
 from the Darling Downs, and some of them (such as A. Unifolia, 
 A. vomeriformis and A. cultrlformis) are remarkable for their wide 
 distribution. A. spectahilis, from the same quarter, resembles A. 
 discolor, which is abundant near Sydney, but the flowers are 
 brighter, and the leaflets not so numerous. Associated with these, 
 are two papilionaceous shrubs {Fultencsa foliosa and Indigofera 
 Australis), the former of which was collected by Cunningham, 
 near Wellington Valley, and by Frasir, at the Lachlan ; the 
 leaves are very numerous and minute, and the flowers of an orange 
 colour. My learned friend Dr. F. Mueller has kindly determined 
 this species for me, and he also informs me that the little indigo, 
 which I had supposed to be a distinct species, is a mere variety of 
 I. Amtralis. I see that Mr. Bentham is of the same opinion 
 (Flora Aust. : vol. 2, p. 200), although no one who had not seen 
 the large suit of specimens which led to this conclusion, could 
 suppose that the diminutive plant in question was a mere variety 
 of the well known shrub of this district. Mr. Bentham reckons 
 five varieties, of which the one from the Darling Downs is var. L 
 
QUEENSLAND. l3l 
 
 signata. The litt'e plant is rigid, glabrous, and almost leafless, 
 the numerous rigid petioles bearing very small obeordate leaflets 
 in distant pairs, with very prominent dark-coloured stipellary 
 glands. In the instance before us, there is an example of the 
 great difficulty which the systematic botanist has to contend with 
 in the determination of species ; for, when betw^een plants appa- 
 rently of distinct origin there are so many connecting links, he is 
 led to conclude that the variations may be accidental, and that, 
 therefore, it is imprudent to multiply species unnecessarily. Un- 
 til greater progress has been made in the investigation of this ab- 
 struse subject, audit has been ascertained by the diligent obser- 
 vation of species under cultivation, whether they are indeed liable 
 to the amount of variation which is now assumed, it seems in 
 many cases quite impossible to assign to them their proper places 
 in the respective genera. The careful student of Australian 
 botany will fully appreciate these remarks, when he is endeavour- 
 ing to fix the species of such genera as Daviesia, Dillwynia, In- 
 digofera, &c., and he will rest satisfied with believing that much 
 remains to be elucidated by the gradual advancement of science. 
 Amongst the specimens, there are several species of Cassia, three of 
 which appear to be C. Icevigata, C. Australis, and C. eremophila, 
 the others being too imperfect for determination. Mr. Bentham 
 remarks in reference to the first of these, it is " a common species 
 in tropical America, occurring also in tropical Africa, but pro- 
 bably introduced there, and perhaps not really indigenous in Aus- 
 tralia." This shrub is often called Laburnum, and is allied to a 
 Cassia from which senna is prepared. The flowers of this and 
 most of the species are of a showy yellow, the sepals and petals 
 five, stamens ten, anthers generally perfect, opening in terminal 
 pores or short slits. In the course of his excursions, Mr. Eoss 
 noticed "the wax plant" {Iloya carnosa), "the Spotted Tree" 
 (Flindersia maculosa), "the Bottle Tree" {Sterculia rupestris), 
 " the native lemon" (Atalantia glauca), three species of ' caper" 
 (C. MltcheUlL C. nummularia, and C sarmentosa), and the More- 
 ton Bay " yellow wood" {Xantlioxylon Iracliyacantliwn). The 
 Eremophila MitcheUii, which on the Daw^son is frequently called 
 " sandal wood," seems to be somewhat plentiful. This was first 
 observed by Sir T. Mitchell, who speaks of it as a fine tree fifteen 
 feet high, with white flowers ; but it has subsequently been found 
 
132 A COJfTEIBUTIOX TO, ETC. 
 
 on the Castlereagli and the Darling. Pittosporum pMllyrcBoides, a 
 graceful tree with seed vessels containing red seeds, occurs pretty 
 generally in the interior ; but the two plants which seemed to 
 please my friend more than any others, were Fimelea hcematos- 
 tachya, and Garcliospermum Halicacahum. The former of these I 
 was disposed to think identical with Mitchell's P. trichostachya, 
 which that distinguished explorer found on the Maranoa. Dr. E. 
 Mueller, however, who has carefully studied the new species of 
 the genus, assures me that this is not the case. The Pimelea of 
 the Dawson is certainly the prettiest of the genus, and attains the 
 height of two feet. The flowers are in dense spikes, of a cylin- 
 drical form, and of a reddish colour. (See Frag., vol. 1, p. 84). 
 It is said to flourish in basaltic plains, from the Newcastle range 
 to the Burnett. This plant differs so much in appearance from 
 the species of Pimelea common in New South Wales, (P. linifolia, 
 P. curvijiora, and P. spicata), that at first sight one would scarcely 
 be inclined to associSite it with them. The Gardiospermum (so 
 called from the heart-like spot on the seeds) is a straggling or climb- 
 ing plant, and resembles Clssiis clematldea in its leaves and habit. 
 The flowers are white and inconspicuous, but the seed vessel is an 
 inflated membranous capsule, from which circumstance the plant 
 is sometimes called "balloon vine." As the seed vessels hang 
 from the vine, they have the appearance of small silken bags. 
 The species is not peculiar to Australia, being found in the East, 
 and also "West, Indies. Mr. Eoss reports that the blacks -eat the 
 fruit of a Jasminum, and probably also the tender parts of the 
 stem, and the base of the leaves of Cymbidiiun canictdatum, which, 
 according to Dr. E. Mueller, is " the only orchid of the interior 
 of tropical Australia" which affords mucilaginous food. The 
 climbing plants Stephania hernandifolia, Lyonsia strammea, and 
 two species of Marsdenia, seem to be widely diffused, and it is 
 said that the blacks eat the unripe pods of some species of ascle- 
 piad. One of the most interesting plants from the Darling 
 Downs is Stenocliilus maculatus, or the native fuchsia. The name 
 designates the narrowness of the lip in the corolla, by which pe- 
 culiarity it is distinguished from some allied genera ; but I be- 
 lieve that Dr. Mueller proposes to unite the genus with that of 
 JSremophila. A good idea of these flowers may be formed from 
 Dr. Mueller's elegant lithogram of E. Ugnonlflora (PL 55), and 
 
QUEEKSLANO). 133 
 
 also those of E. LatroUi and E. Wbollsiana, whicli are figured and 
 described in the first volume of the " Fragmenta Ph jtographisB 
 Australiae." Sir T. Mitchell collected one species of Eremophila 
 and four of StenocJdlus [See "Tropical Australia"], and Mrs. E. 
 Forde has recently noticed some of the same family on the Lower 
 Darling. Nearly allied to these plants, is Myoporum Cunninghami^ 
 a shrub, which, in some respects, resembles Plttosporum pJiil- 
 li/rceoides, but differs altogether in the formation of the seed vessel. 
 The Dodoncea (a shrub with hop-like fruit) forwarded to me, seems 
 identical with D. cuneata, which is plentiful in this colony, but 
 probably a more attentive examination might lead to the con- 
 clusion that it is the allied species D. peduncularis, which has been 
 collected on the Maranoa. One of the most interesting of the 
 genus IS D. multijuga, an elegant variety of which Miss Atkinson 
 found in the Valley of the Grose. The common species near 
 Sydney, are D. triquetra and Z). viscosa (var. angustlfolia) , the first 
 of whicli has a pretty appearance, and is sometimes called " the 
 Hop.plant." There is certainly considerable difficulty in fixing 
 the species of this genus, and it seems highly probable that many 
 of the so-called species will be referred to D. viscosa. Some 
 time since the writer of this paper discovered a pinnate variety of 
 Dodoncea near Hunter's Hill, which he was inclined to regard as 
 one of the pinnate series of the genus ; but as he has never been 
 able to find a similar tree since, he is satisfied with Dr. Mueller's 
 solution of the difficulty, by referring it to D. viscosa. The pretty 
 little Oalythrix (a heath-like shrub, with a long hair at the end of 
 each lobe of the calyx) from the Darling Downs, is very like the 
 forms O. glabra and C. jmbescens, which occur near Sydney, but 
 probably it is 0. scabra, Teucrium argutum (a labiate with pink 
 or purple flowers), Boronia ledifolia (a rutaceous shrub with red 
 flowers, and allied to our native rose) ; Leptospermiim flavescens 
 (a myrtaceous shrub, known as one of our "tea-trees") ; and three 
 Composites, viz., OzotJiammcs, Cassi?iia, and Eurglia, (strongly 
 scented shrubs with white flowers) ; all these may be collected in 
 the county of Cumberland. The Euphorbiaceous shrub, resem- 
 bling the castor oil (Adriana acerifolia), and probably possessing 
 medicinal properties, was first collected by Allan Cunningham on 
 the Lachlan, and referred by him to the genus Croton. Sir T. 
 Mitchell found it on the Maranoa, and the writer of this paper 
 
134 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 has frequently seen it on the Cowpastiire and Nepean Kivers, and 
 attaining a much greater height than that mentioned by Mitchell. 
 Xerotes leucocephala (a rush-like plant, with dense woolly heads of 
 flow^ers) was also noticed by Mitchell, as it grew in the light dry 
 sand. This is similar to one of my young friend's specimens. 
 The prostrate plant of the Lobelia family is, Pratia CimningJiami. 
 The common forms of Lobelia gracilis, L. dentata, L. alata (with 
 blue flowers), L. purpurascens and L. inundata (with white or 
 pinkish flowers), must be familiar to most people who notice the 
 bush flowers near Sydney. The only Epacrid of the collection is a 
 Lsucopogon — a small heath-like shrub, with minute flowers bearded 
 in the segments of the corolla. This is L. cuspidatics, a species 
 similar to some of those in the county of Cumberland, but appa- 
 rently not so large as L. Bichei and L. lanceolatus. The ferns of 
 the collection are only Asplenium nidus smd Davallia j^y^idata^ 
 both of which are well known to fern gatherers ; and the grasses, 
 which in all probability are far more interesting to squatters, are 
 limited to three species — Andropogon intermedius, IIolcus plumosus, 
 and Aristida calycina. A good collection of the native grasses, 
 from the Dawson and the Darling Downs, would be very accept- 
 able. They are, no doubt, more numerous than many persons 
 imagine, and some of them might be improved by cultivation. I 
 find that Sir T. Mitchell, in his various expeditions, collected 
 specimens of about thirty species ; but this gives a very inade- 
 quate idea of the numbers that may exist in any given area, for 
 in the Parramatta district alone, no less than forty species of 
 native grasses have been reckoned. The Fanicum Icemnode of 
 Mitchell (probably Brown's P. decompositum), has been cultivated 
 by Mr. Josephson, and favourably noticed by the Acclimatisation 
 Society ; and Bromus Ausiralis, which has been compared with 
 the squarrose Brome grass of Europe, is not only a fine grass for 
 cattle, but from some remarks which have lately been published 
 in the colonial papers, it appears that it has been cultivated and 
 highly valued by scientific persons on the continent of Europe. 
 Sir T. Mitchell informs us that he collected near the Darling, 
 twenty-five difl'erent kinds of grass, only six of which grew on the 
 alluvial bank of the river. It appears, therefore, that wo are by 
 no means so deficient in native grasses as many suppose, and 
 there is a probability that as our knowledge of their properties is 
 
QTTEENSLAin). 185 
 
 increased, species hitHerto liglitly esteemed, will be turned to 
 some valuable account. I*cmicum IcBvinode (sometimes called 
 " umbrella grass"), Bromus Australis (an oat-like grass), and 
 Antliistiria Australis (the kangaroo grass), are already known as 
 some of the most nutritious grasses in the interior, and in or- 
 dinary seasons, they afford the principal food for cattle. Some 
 of the native grasses are too coarse to be appreciated for grazing 
 purposes, and others grow so scantily that they are rather ob- 
 jects for scientific arrangement, than for practical advantage to 
 the grazier. But in some parts where this is the case, nature has 
 supplied species of Mesemhryantliemum and ChenopodiacecB (better 
 known by the names of "pig-face" and "salt-bush"), which sheep 
 and cattle devour greedily, and by which they are kept in the 
 best condition. Of the salt-bush, which is by far the more valu- 
 able, there are many species. Those sent to me from the Dar- 
 ling Downs, are species of Rhagodia and Kochia. The common 
 saltbush is B. hastata, and that with the largest leaves is B. 'par- 
 aholica. These plants are palatable to sheep and cattle on ac- 
 count of the salt which they contain, nearly two ounces having 
 been obtained from two pounds of leaves ; but travellers in the 
 interior have also found them to be exceeeingly useful as vege- 
 tables. Sir T. Mitchell relates that after twice boiling the leaves 
 a few minutes in w^ater to extract the salt, and then an hour in 
 a third water, they formed a tender vegetable resembling spinach. 
 An allied plant {Gheiiopodium erosuni), Dr. E. Mueller calls "the 
 Australian spinach" ; but it may be remarked of this species, as 
 well as of what is called New Zealand Spinach {Tetragonia ex- 
 pansa)j and some of the most useful cresses, that they are almost 
 limited to Eastern Australia. In the Expedition conducted by 
 Mr. Gregory, the common purslane {Bortulaca oleraced) was re- 
 garded as an excellent antiscorbutic. This plant often grows in 
 cultivated soil, and is commonly called pig weed. In former times 
 it was considered as a garden herb, and was used for salads and 
 pickling, but owing to the introduction of other more nutritious 
 vegetables, it has long ceased to be esteemed. The Pharmacopoeia 
 still retains the purslane, however, not only " as a pot-herb," but 
 as " useful in scurvy and bilious disorders," and the seeds are 
 said to be " vermifuge." "With reference to the ChenopodiacecB, 
 the order of plants to which the " salt-bush" belongs, the species, 
 
136 A CONTBIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 although very numerous in some parts of the interior, are ex- 
 ceedingly limited in this district. On the mud flats near the 
 Parramatta Eiver, Salicornia Indica, or, as it is sometimes termed, 
 " the marsh samphire," is very abundant, and CJienopodium Aus- 
 trale is generally associated with it. Both of the plants are use- 
 ful for pickling, although inferior to the European samphire. C. 
 triangulare is a very common plant, and Bhagodia linifolia occurs 
 sparingly. The introduced weeds of this order, are G. amhro- 
 sioides, C. murale, and BliUim glandulosum, which now occur fre- 
 quently in cultivated ground, as well as in waste places. On the 
 banks of the Hunter, the order is much more plentiful than 
 it is here. 
 
 In concluding these remarks, I would remind those gentlemen 
 who are visiting distant stations, or who have opportunities of 
 procuring new or rare plants from the interior, that the Presi- 
 dent of the Linnean Society, assisted by Dr. F. Mueller, is now 
 engaged in preparing the " Flora Australiensis," and that any 
 specimens of uncommon and interesting shrubs and trees, will be 
 most acceptable to those distinguished botanists. Labouring as 
 they are for the good of these colonies, by endeavouring to deve- 
 lop the vegetable resources of this vast continent, and make them 
 known throughout the civilised world, the learned editors of our 
 " Flora" have every claim upon the sympathy and co-operation of 
 the colonists ; and perhaps I may be permitted to mention from 
 personal experience, with a view of exciting the energies of others, 
 that any little assistance which is rendered to these indefatigable 
 labourers, will be promptly and politely acknowledged. 
 
 PLANTS INTEODUCED ACCIDENTALLY. 
 
 (1866.) 
 
 A T the present time, when so much useful information is being 
 
 laid before the public, by the Acclimatisation Society, with a 
 
 view of encouraging the introduction of those plants which are 
 
 suitable for our climate, it may not be unprofitable to take a 
 
 glance at some of the vegetable productions which are finding 
 
INTBODirCED PLANTS. 137 
 
 their way into the colony, in a manner apparently accidental. It 
 is true that many of these are what we popularly term "weeds," 
 and those sometimes of a very troublesome and noxious cha- 
 racter, not merely detrimental to the pursuits of agriculture and 
 horticulture, but also containing in some instances deleterious 
 and even poisonous properties. Yet the evil is not unmixed with 
 good, for the spontaneous or fortuitous introduction of some use- 
 less species of a particular genus, is an indication that other 
 species of the same genus, probably containing properties of a 
 useful character, may flourish in the same climate. Thus Nature 
 herself in some instances, seems to point out suitable objects for 
 acclimatisation, or at all events to show the natural families from 
 which we may select individual species with the fairest prospect 
 of adapting them to the country in which we live. But many of 
 these so called weeds are really highly useful to man, some of 
 them being known to possess medical virtues, which may be 
 "rendered available with very little trouble, and others being well 
 calculated to serve as esculent vegetables in seasons of scarcity ; 
 whilst some few of them may hereafter afford material for colonial 
 manufacture. Some years ago, the whole family of Algae, or sea- 
 weeds, was pronounced to be useless, and the great poets of an- 
 tiquity, when denouncing anything that appeared to them vile or 
 despicable, were wont to compare it with the vilis or inutilis alga. 
 Indeed, we are credibly informed that not more than fifty or sixty 
 years ago a learned professor, when consulted by one of his 
 pupils respecting some species of Algae, which he had collected on 
 the sea coast, pushed them from him, with the disdainful re- 
 mark, " Pooh ! a parcel of seaweeds ! sir, a parcel of seaweeds !" 
 When we consider the wonderful progress that has been made of 
 late years in the study of Algae, and the useful properties which 
 modern ingenuity has extracted from many of the species, we 
 may be tempted to smile at the ignorance of the learned profes- 
 sor ; but, in so doing, we must beware lest we do not expose our- 
 selves to a similar feeling of contempt from a future generation ; 
 for whilst we have lived to see that the weeds of the ocean, are 
 not merely the " flowers of the sea," but in some species highly 
 valuable for commercial and medicinal purposes, posterity may 
 find out that amongst the weeds of the land, which many so un- 
 scrupulously condemn, there are some of the marvellous beauties 
 
138 A CONTEIBITTION TO, ETC. 
 
 of nature. I believe that G-od has made nothing in vain, and 
 that every species, whether in the animal or ve«i;etable kingdom, 
 has been created for some especial purpose in the economy of 
 nature. If we cannot at present discover these purposes, it is 
 rather owing to our ignorance, tiian to any other cause. The 
 progress of science has cleared up some of the mysteries which 
 have long enveloped many natural objects ; and doubtless, as our 
 knowledge increases, we shall have more and more reason to ad- 
 mire even the meanest animal, or vegetable which we now con- 
 temptuously tread under our feet. With this conviction, there- 
 fore, 1 proceed to enumerate some of the species of plants, which 
 are springing up accidentally amongst us. There is certainly 
 some difficulty in distinguishing some species, which are consid- 
 ered cosmopolitan, from plants really introduced, but these are 
 comparatively few ; and I have taken it for granted, that those 
 plants which have appeared in the settled districts of the colony, 
 since the publication of Brown's Prodromus, and the earlier 
 botanical works on New Holland, are not indigenous, for I can- 
 not conceive it possible, that any species widely scattered over 
 the colony, could have escaped the observation of our first collec- 
 tors, as any object similar to what they had known in Europe, 
 must have excited particular attention. 
 
 In the first great division of the vegetable kingdom, viz., the 
 Thalamiilorap, I have remarked that the introduced plants belong 
 principally to the following natural orders: — (I) Carj/ophyllncfCR^ 
 (2; Crucfrdd, (3) Fdniarla^ecB, (4) Oeraniacece, (5) Linacece, (6) 
 Maluacice, and (7) riii/tolaccacece. 
 
 (I.) QarijophfllacecB. — Of this order, the species most commcm 
 in gardens and cultivated places are Poh/carpon tetraphyUnm or 
 "all-«ecd," Stdlaria media or " chickweed ;" and Cdrastimn vul- 
 galum or " mouse-ear chick-weed," but I find that my learned 
 friend. Dr. F. Mueller is disposed to think that the first two of 
 these may be indigenous, although in speaking of Stellar la media ^ 
 he remarks that " the plant which inhabits our forests and alps, 
 constitutes a race somewhat different to the ordinary form, which 
 occurs here as a common garden weed." Sagina apetala, or "pearl- 
 wort," which in England grows in dry, gravelly, or sandy places, 
 Dr. Mueller considers as decidedly indigenous. SI me Gallica, 
 gr ** catch-iiy," is becoming a troublesome weed in gardens, and 
 
INTRODUCED PLANTS. 139 
 
 I have noticed Spergula arvensis in orchards and fields, whilst 
 Dianthus proll/'er, or a wild pink, is confined to a few localities, 
 having apparently been introduced with some English grasses. 
 To these Dr. Mueller adds Agrostemma Githago, and Arenaria 
 eerpijllifolia. The last I have not observed in this colony, the 
 only species of Arenaria common amongst us being A. marina now 
 referred to Sjoergularia rubra, which must be regarded as indi- 
 genous. 
 
 (2.) Crucifera. — Plants of this order are somewhat rare in 
 Australia, being almost unknown in the tropical parts of this 
 continent, and not numerous even in the mountainous districts. 
 In the neighbourhood of Parramatta, there are not more than 
 three indigenous species, even if we include Lepidium ruderale, 
 which Dr. Mueller says occurs in many parts of South Australia, 
 Tasmania, and Eastern Australia, and agrees with the descrip- 
 tions of the European species. The native species here are Car- 
 damine stglosa and C. tenuifoliaf whilst Nasturtium terrestre is 
 found on the banks of the Nepean. The introduced species are 
 the wild radish, wild mustard, and hedge mustard {Raphanus 
 raphanistrum, Sinapis arvensis, and Sisymlrium officinale), and they 
 appear here, as in Europ^ , in corn fields, and amongst rubbish ; 
 and also Senehiera didgma or " swine's cress," and the interest- 
 ing Capsella bursa pastoris or " shepherd's purse." Sisymbrium 
 has had a reputation for curing hoarseness, and ulcers in the 
 throat, and Senehiera is antiscorbutic, as indeed are most of the 
 Cruciferce, as long as they are used whilst fresh. 
 
 (3.) Famariacece. — The only species of this order that has been 
 introduced, is the one so common in gardens viz., Fumaria offi- 
 cinalis, or common fumitory, with rose-coloured flowers, dark red 
 at the summit, and pale green leaves twice pinnate. The leaves 
 and stalks are bitter, " slightly diaphoretic and aperient : the 
 juice was formerly administered in cutaneous diseases, and ob- 
 structions of the liver." (Pharmacopoeia.) 
 
 (4.) GeraniacecB — Two species of Erodium (viz., E. moschatum 
 and E. cicutarium) have appeared amongst us. They differ little 
 from each other, excepting that the former has a musky scent, 
 and the leaves less deeply divided. 
 
 (5.) Linacea. — O'i the flax family, Linum Oallicum, a plant 
 with small yellow flowers, has certainly been introduced, but L. 
 
140 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 marginale (formerly L. angustifolin/ni), a plant with blue flowers, 
 which De CandoUe supposed to have been imported from Europe, 
 is now considered to be indigenous. Dr. Mueller says, " The 
 Australian flax differs, as pointed out by Dr. Planchon, from the 
 European L. angustifolium, principally in highly connate styles. 
 The bast of the Australian flax is of considerable length, and well 
 adapted for textile fabrics. The aborigines convert it into nets 
 fishing lines, and other articles of great strength and neatness. 
 The seeds may be used for mucilaginous decoctions, for express- 
 ing oil, for preparing poultices, and for any other uses for which 
 common linseed is employed." 
 
 (6.) Malvacecd. — Of the mallow family, there are some inter- 
 esting species amongst those introduced. Malva sylvestris, 
 commonly called marsh mallow^, but very inferior to the real 
 marsh mallow (AWicea officinalis), is still used on account of its 
 demulcent properties. M. verticillata, 3L rotundifolia, and Jif. 
 crispa have also found their w^ay to the colony ; and Sida rJiombi- 
 folla or S. retusa, a small slirab, which Mr. Moore states was in- 
 troduced from the Mauritius. This is the plant which, according 
 to the experiments instituted by Mr. "W. Hill, Director of the 
 Brisbane Botanical Garden, yields an excellent fibre. It is be- 
 coming a troublesome weed in Australia, and is spreading from 
 one end of the continent to the other. With respect to the other 
 malvaceous plant — Parvonia hastata, Mr. Bentham regards it as 
 indigenous, but Dr. E. Mueller speaks of it "as being naturalized 
 in the Eastern warmer parts of Australia." I have had specimens 
 from the Hawkesbury, and not long since I saw a plant of it 
 growing in one of the streets at Penrith, but as it has been found 
 in many other parts of Australia, it seems probable that Pavonia 
 is really a native. This shrub is remarkable for producing two 
 kinds of flowers, a fact first pointed out by Dr. E. Mueller. To 
 these I may add Cristaria coccinea, which is spreading very much 
 in cultivated ground. 
 
 (7.) Phytolaccacece. — The only species of this family which has 
 been accidentally introduced is Phytolacca ociandra. This plant 
 appeared first in the neighbourhood of Sydney, but latterly it has 
 found its way inland, springing up in Parramatta, on the Bicli- 
 mond and AVindsor Eoads, &c. I am aware that some persons 
 regard this species as indigenous, but this o])inioia is not held, 1 
 
INTEODUCED PLANTS. 141 
 
 believe, by any botanist of eminence. P. decandra has been in- 
 troduced as a garden plant, and in America it is used as a com- 
 mon domestic purge. 
 
 In the second great division of plants viz., tbe Calyciflorse, the 
 following natural families are represented in Australia by in- 
 troduced species: (1.) Asteracecd ; (2.) Eupliorhiacece ; (3.) Le- 
 guminosce ; (^L) Lythracece ? ; (^.) Onagracece ; (Q.) Bosacece \ (7.) 
 SanguisorhacecB / ; and (8.) Tlmhelliferce. 
 
 (1.) AsteracecB. — The species of introduced plants belonging to 
 the Composites, are rather numerous, some of them being very 
 troublesome weeds, and increasing with the greatest rapidity, 
 owing to the easy manner in which the seeds of many species are 
 wafted from place to place. Erigeron Canadense and E. linifolk(/ni 
 are of this character, and are well-known pests to the agricul- 
 turists under the name of cobbler's pegs. Gnaphalium luteo-al- 
 hum and G. Indicum grow almost everywhere in waste places, and 
 are apparently of little use to man... Two species of thistle, viz., 
 the "Virgin Mary thistle, ((7ar^?^?^sJ/«n«ww5), and the "Scotch 
 thistle" {Onopordon Acanthiwii), have spread very much of late 
 years in many parts of the colony, especially the former, which, 
 under the name of "milk thistle" or " Our Lady's thistle," has 
 had a reputation as "pectoral, antipleuritic, and aperitive," whilst 
 the full-grown leaves are said to be " sudorific and aperient." 
 This thistle is as beautiful as any of the family, and it may easily 
 be distinguished by the milky vein which runs through its dark 
 green spiny leaf. The Scotch thistle well merits the motto which 
 Scotsmen of old have affixed to their natural emblem, " Nemo me 
 imjpune lacessit,'^ which Baxter interprets into the plain Scotch 
 " Ye maun't meddle wi' me." Tanacetum vulgare, or common 
 tansy, is now growing wdld in many places, but it seems in the 
 first instance to have escaped from a garden, having been pro- 
 bably imported by the early colonists, as a medical plant, for tan- 
 sy wdue is said to have valuable remedial efiects, and a decoction 
 of this plant is used as a medicine for <4(.'at. Perhaps the intro- 
 duction of Pyretlirum Parthenium, or " fever few," may be at- 
 tributed to a similar cause, but it does seem to be a plant likely 
 to spread much. The introduction oiAnthemis cotula^ or "stink- 
 ing camomile," I think may be traced to some European packing 
 cases of Messrs. J. and W. Byrnes. In the first instance, it 
 
142 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 sprang up in a field adjoining the mil] of that firm, and subse- 
 quently travelled into the neighbouring cultivated lands. Every 
 part of this plant is fetid and acrid, blistering the skin when 
 much handled. Its decoction is a strong and active bitter, in a 
 dose of a teacupful, producing copious vomiting and perspiration. 
 I have noticed a European species of Bidens^ and also a Chilian 
 Tagetes, {T. glandulifera) springing up occasionally in waste places. 
 The latter I have been informed, is becoming a troublesome weed 
 on some parts of the Hunter. Vlchorium In tt/bus or chicory, may 
 be seen growing on the banks of the Nepean at Menangle, and 
 more abundantly in the neighbourhood of Camden. This useful 
 plant is extensively cultivated, especially in France, as a substi- 
 tute for coffee. There is a species of Sonchus indigenous, but S. 
 oleraceus or the Sow-thistle, appears to have come to us from 
 Europe, as well as the common dandelion {Taraxacmn dens leonis) , 
 and four weeds similar to that plant in appearance, though far in- 
 ferior in point of utility, viz. : — HgpochcBris radicata, H. glabra, 
 Leontodon hirtus, and Crepis japonica. As these spring up in places 
 where English grasses have been sown, there can be no doubt as 
 to their origin. Galinsogea parvijlora, a JSouth American plant, 
 with small yellow flowers, and ovate three-nerved leaves, is be- 
 coming one of our commonest garden weeds. Siegcsbeckia orien- 
 talis appears to be indigenous, as it is found in the interior in 
 many places. Latterly I have frequently noticed it in orchards 
 near Parramatta. Dr. Mueller mentions a species ol Crepis as 
 of foreign origin, but he regards Leuzea, and I believe also the 
 Bidens, to which 1 have referred, as indigenous. Centaurea soU 
 stitialis, or C. melitensis, is a yellow prickly plant, growing in 
 wheat-fields, and is very annoying to reapers. This appears to 
 be of European origin; but the Bdthur.-it bur, or Xanlhium spin- 
 osum, although indigenous in the south of Europe, is said to have 
 found its way to this colony from 8outh America. Perhaps this 
 is the most injurious composite plant that we have, as it not only 
 takes the place of more useful vegetable productions, but the 
 burs seriously affect the wool in some parts of the colony. An 
 infusion of Xanthium is sometimes used as a yellow dye. To the 
 composite flowers, may be added Crgptostemma calendulaceum from 
 the Cape of Good Hope, a very troublesome weed, introduced 
 into the Botanical Garden at Melbourne, and now spreading in 
 
INTBODUCED PLANTS. 143 
 
 the neii^hbourhood of Sydney ; O'ri/santJiemum segehm op tlie 
 " corn Marigold," Senecio vulgaris, or the common " Groundsel," 
 and Tragopogon porrifolius ov the " Goat's Beard." With the ex- 
 ception of the first of these, however, none' appear to increase 
 much in this part of the colony. 
 
 (2.) Euplwrhiac€(B.—Ol this family there are three species of 
 Eupliorhia of foreign origin, E. peplus, E. helioscopa and E. clmmce- 
 syce, the milky juice of which. is very acrid, and is regarded as a 
 uselul remedy for warts. Ricinus communis, or the castor oil 
 plant, is spreading in many parts of the colony, and possesses 
 medicinal qualities too well known to require any remark. In 
 addition to the ordinary uses of this plant, I may mention that 
 the leaves of the castor oil are now sometimes employed as a gal- 
 actopoietic. I do not think, however, that they should be used in 
 this way without medical advice, if it can be procured. 
 
 (3.) Leguminosas. — The introduced leguminous plants are not 
 so numerous as many would suppose. Two species of Vetch as 
 well as the common one {Vicia sativa), are often seen in or near 
 cultivated ground, and the scented trefoil {Melilotus parviflora) 
 is so abundant in some districts, as to do considerable injury to 
 agriculturists, by deteriorating the quality of their flour. Many 
 millers refuse to purchase wheat which is impregnated with this 
 weed, as it imparts a nauseous flavour to the bread. Medicago 
 nigra is of the same family, and has a bur which adheres to wool. 
 TrifoUum repens, or white clover, has spread suprisingly in some 
 districts, and occasionally two other species of trefoil, and one of 
 Lotus, may be found amongst the English grasses. Cassia laevi- 
 gata — a shrub nearly allied to the senna of chemists, the leaves of 
 whicb are also purgative — now grows wild in waste places. Les- 
 pedeza juncea, which occurs sparingly in these parts, is probably 
 indigenous ; but the " furze," or Ulex EuropcBus was intro- 
 duced. 
 
 (4.) LgtJiracece. — The common LytJirum hyssopifoUum, whiT^h 
 may be gathered in almost every moist place in this part of the 
 colony, is decidedly a native, and Dr. Mueller (Frag. vol. 3, p. 
 109) also regards L. salicaria, the " spiked purple loose-strife'* 
 of England, as indigenous. Sir Thomas Mitchell found this 
 plant in abundance amongst the reeds of the Macquarie, and I 
 have seen specimens from Mudgee, Clarence Eiver, &c. In this 
 
144 A CONTEIBTJTION TO, ETC. 
 
 district I have found only one plant of it, and that was not far 
 from General Macarthur's garden. 
 
 (5.) Onap^acece— The species of Epilohium (U. roseum) which 
 flourishes here, is of European origin. The down of this plant, 
 as well as of others belonging to the same genus, has sometimes 
 been mixed with cotton and manufactured into stockings, and, 
 mingled with the fur of the beaver, has served for hats and other 
 articles of clothing. There are two species of (Enothera (evening 
 primrose), originally garden flowers, which seem likely to grow 
 wild here in most places. 
 
 (6.) Itosacece — Of this family the sweet brier (JRosaruUginosd), 
 is complained of by some settlers, bdt I think that most English 
 people will be pleasingly reminded of the old country by the sight 
 of the eglantine, or sweet brier ; and the fruit, which in some 
 countries is made into a conserve, furnishes food for small birds. 
 Although this shrub was brought to the colony in the first instance 
 designedly, yet it is worthy of mention, as it has spread very 
 widely. 
 
 (7.) SanguisorhacccB — There are two species of Acesna found in 
 this neighbourhood — A. ovina and A. sanguisorhce. The former 
 seems to have been brought into this district from Bathurst, 
 many years since, and it may still be seen growing luxuriantly in 
 St. John's Churchyard. It seems probable that in the early days 
 of the colony some sheep may have occasionally been kept in the 
 church-yard, and that they conveyed the seeds to this locality. 
 A friend of mine assures me that this plant was cultivated in for- 
 mer years for sheep, but Dr. Mueller inclines to the opinion that 
 both of them are indigenous. 
 
 (8.) ZTmbellifercs. — A species of the American Oreomyo^rhis, has 
 found its way into some parts of the colony, and also Slum lati- 
 folium generally deemed poisonous, and the common fennel 
 {Fmniculum milgare). The fruit of the last is aromatic, hot, and 
 carminative, the roots opening, and the leaves diuretic. It is 
 used in England as seasoning to fish. To these umbelliferous 
 plants a few species of suspicious ones might be added which 
 seem to find their way hither with English seeds, but as they sel- 
 dom extend beyond the garden in which they are sown, they do 
 not fall within the limits of my present communication. 
 
 In the third division of the vegetable kingdom, viz., the Gar- 
 
INTEODUCED PLANTS. 145 
 
 rolliflorcB, I shall make some remarks upon species under the fol- 
 lowing families: (1.) Asclepiadacecd; (2.) Capo^ifoliacecs; (3.) Gon- 
 volvulacece ; (4.) Galiaceoe ; (5.) OentianacecB ; (6.) Lamiacece ; (7.) 
 OleacecB ; (8.) JPlantaginacecd ; (9.) Primulacece ; (10.) Solanacece ; 
 (11.) Verbenacece. 
 
 (1.) Asclepiadacece : In this family there are many native climb- 
 ers, but the Asclepiad spreading most widely in New South 
 Wales, is said to be a native of the Cape of Grood Hope. This 
 is the wild cotton of the colonists (Gomphocarpus fructicosus) , al- 
 though it is not in any way allied to the cotton of commerce {Gos- 
 sypium). This plant is called Argel in Syria, and is used to 
 adulterate senna, rendering it bitter and irritating, and there can 
 be no doubt but that the milky juice is very acrid. It is a fact 
 worthy of notice, that a species of aphis is frequently found on 
 this plant similar to that which sometimes infests the Hoy a car- 
 nosa, or wax plant. "We have in this neighbourhood two species 
 of 3Iarsdenia, and two of Tylophora, and also one of the Apocy- 
 ■nacecB {Lyonsia straminea), all of which have seeds similar to those 
 of the wild cotton, but the habit of these indigenous climbers dif- 
 fers very much from that of the introduced plant. 
 
 (2.) Caprifoliacecd : The black-berried elder {Smnbucus nigra) 
 has a tendency to run wild in some localities. One might natu- 
 rally expect this to be the case, as two species of the same family 
 {8. Gaudichaudiana and Sir Thomas Mitchell's Tripeteliis Austra- 
 lasicus) are natives of the colony. The latter was found by Sir 
 Thomas on the banks of the Lachlan, but it also occurs in many 
 places near Sydney. 
 
 (3.) Convolvulacece : Some species of this family which have 
 been cultivated in gardens seem well adapted to our climate, and 
 are likely to spread. Though somewhat troublesome in orchards, 
 they are not calculated to do much mischief, but the injurious 
 Cuscuta epithymum is doing much damage to the Lucerne, par- 
 ticularly in the neighbourhood of Groulburn and Bathurst. For 
 this pest, the colonists are indebted to the mother country. I 
 have found the native dodder growing on the stems of Volygonvm, 
 near the Nepean, but not extending into the cultivation so as to 
 injure the crops. It seems probable that the climate of this 
 neighbourhood is too warm for the increase of Cuscuta^ and that 
 its ravages are more to be dreaded in the colder parts of the 
 T 
 
146 A CONTEIBUTIO?^ TO, ETC. 
 
 colony. Batatas edtdis, or the sweet potato, has been found 
 growing in a wild state on the banks of the Nepean. This plant, 
 generally called " New Zealand potato," from the fact of Captain 
 Cook's having found it in that island, is indigenous in the Malayan 
 Archipelago, and is spreading over all the warmer parts of the 
 world. It is said that this useful plant was cultivated in the south 
 of Europe before the introduction of the potato. 
 
 (4.) Galiacece : Of this family, there are two species common 
 in New South Wales, one of which ( Galium Gaudichaudi) is cer- 
 tainly indigenous. The species of Asperula {A. conferta) that 
 appears so frequently in gardens and cultivated grounds, is re- 
 garded as a native, and is identical With the plant noticed by Sir 
 T. Mitchell (see Tropical Australia, p. 360), and alluded to by Dr. 
 P. Mueller, in his report on the plants discovered on the North 
 Australian Expedition. Galium aparine is probably an introduced 
 plant. 
 
 (5.) Gentianacece : Of this family there are two species, viz., 
 Sehcea ovata and Erythrcea Australis, which are described by Brown 
 as indigenous. These little plants appear in the early part of the 
 summer, and may be distinguished by their yellow and pink flow- 
 ers, opposite leaves, and bitter properties. The second of these 
 is a variable plant in size and appearance, and when growing in 
 salt marshes sometimes attains the height of two feet, but the 
 little Erythroea, or centaury, which spreads over cultivated fields, 
 and seldom exceeds five or six inches, may probably be an intro- 
 duced species. In England there are said to be four wild species 
 of this genus, but they diff'er so little from each other in their es- 
 sential characters, that some botanists are inclined to regard them 
 as mere varieties. 
 
 (6.) Lamiacecs : Of this family there are two plants which have 
 spread very widely in this colony, viz., the little Stachys arvensis, 
 from which scarcely a garden or field is free ; and Marruhium 
 vulgare, or horehound, which occurs frequently in waste places. 
 Both of these plants have a place in the Pharmacopoeia, the former 
 being mentioned in connection with S. hetonica, which is some- 
 times made into a tea with honey, and considered diaphoretic and 
 expectorant ; and the latter, being recommended as a pectoral for 
 colds and coughs. The white horehound is undoubtedly a useful 
 plant, and its extract is a popular remedy for coughs and asth- 
 
IlTTEODtrCED PLAKTS. l47 
 
 matic complaints. It has been recommended as stimulating and 
 tonic, and an infusion of the leaves has been found serviceable in 
 chronic catarrh. In Sir T. Mitchell's Tropical Australia, p. 8, 
 the writer remarks : " We halted at another sheep station of Mr. 
 Boyd's. Here I perceived that horehound grew abundantly; and 
 I was assured by Mr. Parkinson, a gentleman in charge of these 
 stations, that this plant springs up at all sheep and cattle stations 
 throughout the colony — a remarkable fact which may assist to ex- 
 plain another, namely, the appearance of the couch grass or dog's 
 tooth grass, wherever the white man sets his foot, although pre- 
 viously unknow^n in these regions." This passage is quoted in 
 an interesting work on English wild flowers, published under the 
 auspices of the Christian Knowledge Society, and the writer, I 
 think incorrectly, supposes that the horehound mentioned by Sir 
 Thomas is Ballota nigra, or the English black horehound, whereas 
 the species spreading in these colonies is Marruhium viilgare, or 
 the white horehound. Prunella vulgaris is indigenous, and seems 
 identical w^th the European plant, but a species of Salvia which 
 has appeared in the Bathurst district, and another of Molucella, 
 from the Murrumbidgee, are regarded by Dr. Mueller as intro- 
 duced plants. 
 
 (7.) OleacecB : As Olea panicidata and Notelcea ovata of the 
 olive family, are common in many parts of Australia, it is not 
 surprising that the European olive (in two varieties) has a ten- 
 dency to escape from cultivated places and spring up in suitable 
 localities. I have noticed both of these plants growing wild in 
 different parts of the bush, to which, in all probability, seeds have 
 been conveyed by birds. 
 
 (8.) FlantaginacecB : .There are several species of native plan- 
 tain described by Brown, but the common ribw^ort (P. lanceolatd), 
 and the greater plantain (P. major) are apparently of European 
 origin. The former is employed in agriculture as a herbage plant, 
 but it is not now much esteemed by farmers ; and the spon- 
 taneous appearance of it in any locality is regarded as a certain 
 indication of a dry soil. P. major is a native of the East as well as 
 of Europe, and generally springs up by the wayside. The seeds 
 afford food for small birds, and the leaves are often used for 
 wounds and sores. An American negro once received a reward 
 for discovering a remedy for the bite of a rattlesnake, and it is 
 
148 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 said that the principal ingredient in the preparation was the 
 greater plantain. 
 
 (9.) PrimulacecB : The indigenous species of this family are 
 very limited, and two only (viz., Samolus littoralis and S. vale- 
 randi) are common in extra-tropical Australia. I mention these, 
 because the genus was originally considered European, and one 
 of our species is identical with that which occurs in Britain. An- 
 agallis arvensis and A. ccBrulea, sometimes called " Pimpernel, and 
 the poor man's weather glass," may often be noticed in cultivated 
 ground, especially in wheat fields. They seem to be only varie- 
 ties of one species, differing principally in colour, the one being 
 scarlet, and the other blue. These pretty little plants were for- 
 merly used in mania and hydrophobia, and although perhaps their 
 virtues have been overrated, yet we are assured on good authority 
 that three drachms of the extract prepared from pimpernel are suf- 
 ficient to destroy a dog. The scarlet pimpernel is one of the flow- 
 ers composing Linnasus's " Eloral Clock," audit is called "The 
 poor man's weather-glass," because it closes in rainy and cloudy 
 weather. 
 
 (10 ) Solanacece : Amongst the species of this family which 
 have become acclimatised, perhaps the Cape gooseberry, or Phy- 
 salis puhescens (the same as P. edulis and P. Peruviana) was the 
 first, for although it is described by Brown, that eminent botan- 
 ist remarks that it was introduced from Brazil or the Cape of 
 Grood Hope. This is certainly a very useful plant, for the fruit 
 is a good substitute for gooseberries, and makes excellent jam. 
 Another plant sometimes mistaken for it often occurs in gardens ; 
 this is Nicandra physaloides, which is probably indigenous only in 
 Peru. The corolla is large, bluish, and rayed, with a white bot- 
 tom, which is marked with five dark blue spots. I have men- 
 tioned this because it is probable that the fruit is of a poisonous 
 character. Solarium nigrum, and S. vei^hascifoUmn are regarded by 
 Brown as indigenous : the former has small black berries, which 
 are frequently eaten by children in this colony, and do not appear 
 to occasion any unpleasant consequences, although the same 
 plant in England is looked upon as suspicious. It seems that the 
 properties of the fruit become modified by the climate, for, accord- 
 ing to the Pharmacopoeia, the berries produce mania, somnam- 
 bulism, and even death ! Datura stramonium, or thorn apple, is 
 
INTEODTJCED PLANTS. 149 
 
 spreading very much in waste places, and although it is a useful 
 remedy in skilful hands, yet it should be regarded as a dangerous 
 plant, being a powerful narcotic, and the effects of it are similar 
 to those of Atropa and Hyoscyamus. It is said that the Indian poi- 
 soners employ it for the purpose of producing lethargy without 
 killing, in order to facilitate theft and other criminal designs. 
 Some practitioners recommend the smoking of the leaves in 
 paroxysms of pure spasmodic asthma ; but when any portion of 
 the plant is taken internally in too large a quantity, serious con- 
 sequences, even death itself, may result. 
 
 (11.) VerbenaceoB: the common vervain (Verhena officinalis) is 
 indigenous, but V. Bonariensis is of foreign origin. This plant, 
 which came in the first instance from South America, may be 
 found not only in waste places in the neighbourhood of Sydney, 
 but it has travelled beyond Mudgee. V. officinalis is a popular re- 
 medy amongst country people, but the other species is not re- 
 garded as possessing any medicinal properties. 
 
 In the fourth division of the Vegetable or the Monochlamydege, 
 the introduced species may be referred to the following families : — 
 (1.) Amarantacece ; (2.) Chenopodiacece ; (3.) PolygonacecB \ and 
 (4.) Urticacem. In the first of these, two species of Amarantus 
 are very common, spreading almost everywhere in cultivated 
 ground and waste places, viz : — A. oleraceus and A. Uitum. These, 
 although regarded as mere weeds, are not without their uses, for 
 in seasons of scarcity they might be eaten as pot-herbs, and in 
 some countries they are employed in emollient poultices. Of the 
 Chenopodiacece, Chenopodium murale, and C. amhrosioides, are also 
 abundant. They have a place in the Pharmacopoeia, but perhaps 
 with little reason. In the Polygonacece, there are three species at 
 least oiMumex or dock, which have found their way to these shores. 
 M. o ispus and JR. sanguineus have had some reputation ; the first as 
 a cure for the itch, and the second as a mild aperient, but the 
 species most troublesome in fields and gardens is B. acefosella. 
 This plant is said to be antiscorbutic, and the leaves make ex- 
 cellent Avhey by being boiled in milk ; but as it has a tap root, which 
 it is difiicult to eradicate, and which spreads very much in any 
 loose soil where it has been introduced, the whole plant is much 
 disliked by the gardener and agriculturist. JPolygonum aviculare, 
 or knot grass, is another plant of the same family. It derives its 
 
150 A CONTEIBUTIOX TO, ETC. 
 
 specific name from tlie fact that little birds are fond of its seeds, and 
 it is called knot grass, not because it is in any way allied to the 
 grass family, but because cattle, and especially hogs, feed upon it, 
 Of the UrticacecB or Nettle family, there are two species of ITrtica, 
 TT. wens, and U. dioica, found in waste places. The first of these 
 appears to have come accidentally amongst us, but whether the lat- 
 ter is indigenous here, as well as in many other countries, I can- 
 not determine, for I have noticed it in remote parts of the colony. 
 This plant is esteemed astringent and diuretic, the tops of the 
 shoots are sometimes eaten as a pot-herb, and the stalk has the 
 texture of hemp, so that it is capable of being manufactured into 
 cloth, ropes, and paper. As a rem'edy for the sting of the nettle, 
 its own juice or that of the dock may be applied. {Pharmacopoeia.) 
 I must now refer briefly to the Endogens, or Monocotyle- 
 dons, which have been introduced. In this division of the vege- 
 table kingdom, there are plants of a cosmopolitan character, such 
 as Alisma plantago, and some species of Juncus, Cyperus, Sfc, 
 which most frequently meet the eye of the observer. These 
 were noticed by the earliest botanists, and, therefore, they cannot 
 be reckoned amongst the introduced plants. Of the Lndacece, I 
 have found three species which appear to be of foreign origin, 
 viz., Sisyrinchium micranthum, (?) S. anceps, and a purple Crocus. 
 The first of these is a small yellow flower, with grass-like leaves, 
 which in the beginning of summer almost covers some of our cul- 
 tivated fields. It is not more than two or three inches high. 
 The second is a larger plant, growing somewhat sparingly in 
 moist fields amongst foreign grasses. With respect to the third, 
 I may remark that I have never found it anywhere excepting in 
 the neighbourhood of Botany. Of the Cyperaceoe, we have one 
 intruder which is becoming a complete nuisance in many of our 
 gardens. It is commonly known by the name of " bulbous grass," 
 but it is Cyperus hydra, or the " nut grass" of the West Indies, 
 which in some instances is reported to have overrun sugar planta- 
 tions and have rendered them barren. This troublesome weed 
 which appeared first in Sydney, has found its way to Parramatta 
 and other inland towns, and latterly to the banks of the Hawkes- 
 bury. A farmer in the neighbourhood, of Richmond told me that 
 he had incurred some expense with a view of removing this pest 
 from his ground, and he thought he had succeeded ; but after a 
 
INTEODUCED PLANTS. 151 
 
 few weeks lie found that all his labour had been expended in vain, 
 for the weed sprang up as vigorously as ever. The difficulty of 
 removing this Cyperus arises from its tuberous roots, which in 
 alluvial soil strike very deeply. Steudel, in his work on the 
 Sedge family, describes the rhizome or rooting stem as " longe 
 repente tuberifero,'' a character which agrees well with the intro- 
 duced plant. With the exception of a few species of Graminacecs, 
 which have found their way accidentally to the colony, most of 
 the foreign grasses were brought hither by the early settlers. 
 Sordeum murinum, or squirrel-tail grass, has become very annoy- 
 ing in some parts of the interior. The awns or heads of this 
 grass are so injurious to the gums of horses that it should be 
 carefully eradicated wherever hay is grown. Lolium temulentum 
 is likewise another injurious grass, being the only one of the 
 family which has deleterious properties. This grass is described 
 by Steudel as being indigenous in New Holland, as well as in 
 many parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America ; but as Brown 
 does not enumerate it amongst the Australian grasses, I think it 
 must have been introduced. The seeds of this darnel or rye 
 grass are said to produce intoxication and fatal convulsions, and 
 it is undoubtedly the tare mentioned in the New Testament 
 (Matt. xiii. 25) — a noxious weed, which modern travellers assure 
 us is pulled up and separated from the wheat just as it was 
 eighteen centuries ago ! As the " summer grass," or Panicum 
 ciliare, and the "couch grass," or Cynodon dactylon,2bve described 
 by Brown amongst our indigenous grasses, I must omit these 
 from the number of introduced plants, although I believe many 
 persons consider that the latter was brought from the East Indies. 
 The same remark may probably apply to Panicum cms galli (a 
 coarse grass which can endure hot weather), which Brown him- 
 self found here in a wild state. Poa annua seems to be cosmo- 
 politan, as it may be found in almost all temperate climates, but 
 P glauca, and P. pratensis were introduced from England, and 
 also Briza media, B. onaxima, Lolium perenne, Holcus lanatus, and 
 Festuca hromoides, all of which may be noticed occasionally in a 
 wild state. Bromics Schraderi (prairie grass), and Semitaphrum 
 glahrum (buffalo grass), have not been so long in the colony as 
 those enumerated, but as they seem more suitable for this clima^ 
 than many of the English grasses, they are likely to spread more 
 
152 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 widely. The prairie grass affords excellent pasture for the winter, 
 and the buffalo grass is very useful for binding the soil together 
 in sandy places. 1 have seen specimens of Lappago racemosa from 
 remote parts of the colony, and I believe that it is now considered 
 indigenous. 
 
 In closing my present paper, I feel some pleasure in having 
 opened up a subject which affords a very wide field for investiga- 
 tion. Tor some years past, I have paid attention to introduced 
 plants, but as my observations have been confined to Eastern 
 ■ Australia, they are necessarily imperfect. It would be well if 
 observers in Western and Southern Australia would communicate 
 to the public the result of their iliquiries, for probably many 
 plants, which have not appeared amongst us, have found their 
 way accidentally into the other Australian colonies. 
 
 Note. — I have noticed Argemone Mexicana of the Poppy Family growing 
 ■wild on the banks of the Hunter, and also Linaria spuria in a field near 
 Parramatta. Oymnosperma glutinosum sprang up in the same neighbourhood, 
 but it does seem likely to spread. Verhascum in two varieties comes up 
 occasionally iti cultivated ground, and Senecio scandens, Passijlora ccerulea, 
 Alaf emus, and Felargorium ffraveolens frequently escape from gardens and 
 appear in waste places. 
 
 KLGM OE SEA-WEEDS. 
 
 "XTT" HEN strolling along the shore at Manly Beach some little 
 time since, I met with a lady in the midst of a mass of brown 
 sea- weeds, earnestly engaged in seeking for the beautiful marine 
 plants which are so frequently found about their roots. Per- 
 ceiving that she Avas occupied in the same pursuit as myself, I 
 took the liberty of addressing her, with a view of ascertaining 
 whether she could assist me in determining some of the difficult 
 species. I found, however, that my fair fellow-labourer was 
 simply searching for red sea-weeds, without any reference to 
 genera or species, probably intending them for some ornamental 
 work. It struck me at the time, and it has often occurred to me 
 
ALGJE OB SEA- WEEDS. 168 
 
 since, that if some of the ladies who visit Manly Beach and other 
 places on the coast, would collect sea-weeds, and arrange them 
 systematically according to the families indicated in Dr. Harvey's 
 splendid work on Australian sea- weeds, they would not merely 
 tend to advance the study of marine botany, but also secure for 
 themselves an endless source of amusement when rambling along 
 the shores in search of the beauties of the deep. 
 
 The satirist of old, ignorant of the value and use of sea-weed, 
 exclaims, " Birth and virtue, unless accompanied with property, 
 are viler trash than sea-weed ;" and yet in the progress of science, 
 we have lived to seethe vile sea weed applied in so many ways for 
 the benefit of man, that a volume might easily be written on the 
 subject. Some are useful for food and fuel, others for medicine and 
 manure, whilst in Glasgow alone, noless than twenty establishments 
 are engaged in the lixiviation of kelp and manufacture of iodine, 
 working up, it is stated, 3000 tons a year. Many sea-weeds contain 
 great quantities of mannite, and in China some species have long 
 been used in the preparation of ornamental articles, as well as in 
 the composition of mucilaginous beverages intended for invalids. 
 The Irish moss or Chondrus crispus, is well known as a popular re- 
 medy for pulmonary consumption, and is given in the form of a de- 
 coction, made by boiling an ounce in a pint and a half of water or 
 milk. On the coast of Ireland, it is converted into size for the 
 use of house-painters, and also employed in lieu of isinglass in 
 the preparation of cream and other confectionery. Laminaria — 
 a genus which abounds on these coasts, as well as in Europe — con- 
 tains a nutritive jelly, more or less saccharine. It is eaten by 
 man and beast, and is also burned for kelp. 
 
 In collecting specimens, it will soon be found that some species 
 will not adhere to paper, whilst others become so firmly attached 
 to it as to give the idea of a picture, rather than that of a plant. 
 The former kinds may be washed in fresh water, and dried and 
 pressed as phanerogamous plants are ; but the preparation of the 
 latter s a delicate operation requiring some patience and skill. 
 Dr. Harvey, after recommending collectors to procure large flat 
 dishes, for the purpose of washing and expanding their specimens 
 in fresh water, so as to remove from them any particles of mud, 
 sand &c., says " next, a piece of white paper, of suitable size is 
 introduced into the plate, under the expanded specimen. The 
 
154 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 paper then, with the specimen properly displayed upon it, is 
 cautiously brought to the surface of the water, and gently and 
 carefully drawn out, so as not to disarrange the branches of the 
 specimen. A forceps, a porcupine's quill, or a knitting needle, 
 or any fine pointed instrument, will assist the operator in dis- 
 playing the branches, and keeping them apart while the plant is 
 being lifted from the water. . . . The specimen, as now dis- 
 played on a piece of wet white paper, is to be placed on a sheet 
 of soaking-paper, and other specimens placed beside it, till the 
 . sheet be covered. A piece of thin calico or muslin, as large as 
 the sheet of soaking-paper is then spread over the wet specimens. 
 More soaking-paper, and another layer of specimens covered with 
 a cotton rag, are laid over the first ; and thus a pile of alternate 
 soaking-paper, specimens, and rags is gradually raised. This pile 
 or bundle is then placed between a pair of flat boards, a weight 
 put on it, and it is left for some hours. It must then be exam- 
 ined, the wet soaking papers removed, and dry ones substituted ; 
 but the cotton rags may be allowed to adhere to the face of the 
 specimens until the latter are perfectly dry, and when they will 
 come off without trouble, even from the most gelatinous kinds." 
 
 The classification of algae is a matter of difficulty, and depends 
 principally upon the different modes of fructification noticed in 
 diff'erent parts. Some species v/hich closely resemble each other 
 in appearance, and which by the casual observer would be referred 
 to the same genus, are found to differ greatly in their fructifica- 
 tion, when viewed under a powerful microscope, and hence they 
 must be placed in very different genera. This, indeed, is the case 
 with two of our most admired red sea-weeds, Ptilota and Phacelo- 
 carpus. They may easily be mistaken for each other, so similar 
 are they in the ramification and colour, and in the elegant pecti- 
 nated appearance, of their ramuli, and yet according to a systematic 
 arrangement, they must be placed in families widely separated. 
 
 In order that we may have some general ideas of classification, 
 it is necessary to observe that Phycologists now divide sea-weeds 
 into three sub-classes, viz : — (1.) MelanosperQiiece, (2.) Blwdos- 
 permecB, and (3.) GhlorospermecB, and that these are again sub- 
 divided into families or orders according to their fructification, 
 texture, &c. One of the latest writers on sea- weeds (Dr. Harvey) , 
 makes the following divisions the basis of his system: — 
 
ALO.T) OR SEA-WEEDS. 155 
 
 (1.) Melanospermece, which are marine plants of an olive green, 
 or olive brown colour, having a monoecious or dioecious fructifica- 
 tion. The spores are olive-colored, each enveloped in a pellucid 
 skin, and either simple or separating into two, four, or eight 
 sporules. They produce antlieridia, or transparent orange-colored 
 vivacious corpuscules, moving by means of vibratile cilia. 
 
 (2.) Rhodospermece, which with one or two exceptions, are 
 marine plants, mostly of a rosy red or purple colour. The fruc- 
 tification is of two kinds ; either of spores in external or immersed 
 conceptacles, or densely aggregated together and dispersed 
 throughout masses of the frond ; or of tetraspores of a red or 
 purple colour, external or immersed in the frond, and each en- 
 veloped in a pellucid skin which at maturity separates into four 
 sporules. Some possesss antheridia which are filled with yellow 
 corpuscules. 
 
 (3.) Chlorospennece, which are marine or fresh water plants of 
 a green colour. The fructification is difi'used through all parts of 
 the frond. The sporules are green, formed within the cells and 
 often at maturity having vibratile cilia. They produce also gem- 
 mules or external vesicles, which contain a dense, dark-coloured 
 granular mass, which finally separates from the frond. 
 
 The division of sea- weeds into the brown, red, and green series, 
 is certainly a very natural one, but in the examination of dried 
 specimens, too much importance must not be attached to mere 
 colour, for although some of the red series retain their colour for 
 years, there are others which become green, olive, and even black 
 in drying ! Hence arises the necessity of paying great attention 
 to the fructification, for as my learned friend Dr. F. Mueller re- 
 marked on another occasion, " It is equally true in Botany as in 
 Divinity, that By their fruits ye shall know them." Amongst 
 the red series, Ballia and Ilaloplegma assume a yellowish green 
 and tawny colour in drying, whilst Thjsanocladia becomes dark 
 reddish brown, and looks like a plant of the brown series. The 
 same may be said of Lenormandia, Melantlialia, and Polyphacmn, 
 all of which, in certain conditions, may be referred by the inat- 
 tentive observer to the Melanospermeae. There are other 
 Australian sea- weeds that change their colour in a similar man- 
 ner, but I have preferred instancing those species of which I have 
 specimens in my possession. With respect to the fructification 
 
156 A COKTRIBtJTION TO, ETC. 
 
 of the red series, althougli many kinds are famished with a double 
 system of fructification, yet it is generally considered that the 
 one is as capable of producing a new plant as the other. A late 
 writer on British sea-weeds remarks : — " The greater part, if not 
 all, of the red series is furnished with this double fructification, 
 the primary, or capsular, on one plant, and the secondary, or 
 granular, on another plant. Though the capsules of two different 
 genera and species bear no resemblance to each other, yet there 
 are many modifications of shape, so that they are at once like and 
 unlike, and to become acquainted with the minor differences re- 
 quires time and attention." 
 
 Persons not accustomed to search into the works of nature will 
 be astonished to find a very extensive field for investigation, in 
 the flora of the deep. During Dr. Harvey's botanical voyage to 
 the Australian colonies he collected no less than 20,000 specimens 
 of six hundred species of sea-weeds, and he estimates the number 
 of species of Algae dispersed along our coasts at nearly 1000 ! 
 Some of the species so beautifully figured and described by that 
 eminent phycologist, are indeed very rare, and perfect specimens 
 of them can seldom be procured without dredging ; but some of 
 the more common forms are frequently cast upon our shores. It is 
 to these forms that I wish to direct attention in the present com- 
 munication, because it is almost impossible to walk along the 
 shore without noticing some of them, and I think that the study 
 of them aflTords a very suitable introduction to the investigation 
 of the marine flora of Australia in general. 
 
 Ot the Melanospermese, which are common at Manly Beach, 
 and other places on the coast, the following genera can scarcely fail 
 to be noticed, even by a casual observer, viz., Sargassutn, Ct/stopliora, 
 Phyllospora, Hormosira, Laminaria, Padina, Zonaria, and Dicti/ota. 
 They are all of a brown or olive-brown colour, and after a storm 
 large masses of the commoner kinds may be seen strewed along the 
 beach. The genus Sargassum prevails over a wide extent of ocean, 
 but from the circumstance of its having been early observed to 
 be abundant in the G-ulf of Mexico, it has very generally been 
 called the " gulf-weed." The fronds of this genus are leaved, 
 the leaves stalked, and generally with a mid-rib : air-vessels 
 simple, axillary, and stalked : receptacles small, linear tubercu- 
 lated, mostly in axillary racemes, seeds in distinct cells. Many 
 
AIjGM OB SEA-WEEDS, 157 
 
 species of Sargassum are found on these coasts, and some of the 
 rarer ones are figured in Harvey's Phycologia. The common 
 species S. hacciferum (so termed from its berry -like vesicles which 
 have sometimes been called sea-grapes) may often be collected, 
 and indeed it has been found almost at the head of the Parramatta 
 River, whither it had been conveyed by the tide. This species is the 
 one alluded to in Eobertson's History of America : " When about 
 400 leagues to the West of the Canaries, Columbus found the 
 the sea so covered with weeds that it resembled a meadow of vast 
 extent, and in some places they were so thick as to retard the 
 motion of the vessels. This strange appearance occasioned new 
 alarm and disquiet to the sailors. They imagined that they were 
 now arrived at the utmost boundary of the navigable ocean, that 
 these floating weeds would obstruct their further progress, and 
 concealed dangerous rocks, or some large tract of land which had 
 sunk, they knew not how, in that place. Columbus endeavoured 
 to persuade them that what had alarmed, ought rather to have 
 encouraged them, and was to be considered as a sign of approach- 
 ing land." I have instanced S. hacciferum as being likely to 
 catch the eye of the observer on account of its frequent occur- 
 rence ; but other species, particularly ij). vulgare, S. ligulatum, S. 
 JUlfblium, ^c, are often found on the eastern shores of Australia. 
 The genus Cgstophora is peculiar to these coasts, and according 
 to Harvey, represents Cysloseira of the Northern Hemisphere, 
 differing from that genus chiefly in the position of the receptacles. 
 In Cystoseira the air-vessels are arranged within the substance of 
 the branch-like leaves, whereas in Ggstophora, they are stipitate 
 and rarely absent. In Sargassum the receptacles are mostly ax- 
 illary in racemes, whereas in Cgstophora they are pod-like, torulose 
 or moniliform, developed in the ramuli.' G. spartioides and C. 
 platylohium, as well as other species, occur frequently near Sydney, 
 and C. hotryocgstis was discovered by Dr. Mueller at Port Phillip. 
 Phi/llospora comosa, or Macrocystis comosa, may often be found at 
 Manly Beach. It has a stem flat, smooth, and pinnately branched ; 
 leaves marginal, lanceolate-linear, attenuate, distantly toothed ; 
 vesicles elliptical, leaf-bearing. This is one of the largest of our 
 sea-weeds, and is allied to Macrocystis luxurians^ which, Dr. 
 Hooker says, in its horizontal growth at the surface of the ocean, 
 ranges between 200 and 700 feet in length, whilst at the Falkland 
 
158 A COTfTJlIBTJTION TO, ETC. 
 
 Islands the beach is lined for miles with entangled cables of this 
 plant much thicker than the human body. Ilormosira ^BanJcsii 
 is a sea- weed which everyone must have noticed on the rocks near 
 high water mark, and it differs so much from every other in its 
 leafless moniliform frond, that it cannot be mistaken for any other. 
 It derives its name from Jioj^mos a necklace, and sira a chain, as it 
 consists of a series of inflated internodes, similar in character to 
 vesicles. There are many varieties of this plant, arising probably 
 from the depth of the water in which it grows, but Harvey refers 
 them to one species. The fructification consists of spore-cavities 
 sunk in the vesicated internodes. Laminaria is so called from 
 lamina, a thin plate, in allusion to the flat frond, and is popularly 
 termed " sea-girdle or tangle." L. digiiata occurs in Europe as 
 well as on these coasts, and is one of those weeds which contribute 
 to the formation of kelp, and no sea-weed is said to be so rich in 
 iodine as the species in question. L. digitata and also L. potato- 
 rum are common, and the former extends some distance up the 
 Parramatta River. The other species derives its name from the 
 circumstance of its being used by the aboriginal natives for the 
 conveyance of water. Padlna pavonia is a much smaller weed 
 than any of the preceding, and its general resemblance to the ex- 
 panded tail of a peacock has been noticed by all authors. The 
 frond is flat, ribless, fan-shaped, and marked at regular distances 
 with concentric lines. The genus Zonaria is represented by 
 several species, Z. Sinclarii being one of the most common. It is 
 called Zonaria from the Greek Avord, which signifies a zone or 
 girdle, because the frond, in many species, is marked with distant, 
 concentric lines. Padlna and Zonoria, as well as Dlctgota, which 
 is sometimes found in company with them, belong to the class of 
 sea-weeds called DictyotepD, because when viewed under a lens the 
 fronds appear reticulated. 
 
 Of the second series, or EhodospermcfP, which on account of 
 the brilliancy of their colours, and the elegance of their fronds, 
 are more especially objects of interest to the collector, there are 
 numerous species on these coasts, but the genera most likely to 
 be met with without the trouble of dredging are Ptilota, Phacelo- 
 carpus, and Plocamium. These, together with some of the more 
 minute species, which can scarcely be seen without the aid of a 
 microscope, are often found at the roots of the brown sea- weeds, 
 
ALG^ OR SEA-WEEDS. 159 
 
 or lying in fragments along the shore. The first two of these are 
 so much alike, that they may be mistaken for each other, but 
 upon examination it will be found that, although both of the 
 fronds are similar in colour, and pectinato-pinnate, yet JPtilota of 
 the natural family Ceramiaceae has the fructification involucrate, 
 terminating short branches ; whilst I*]iacelocarpus has the fruit 
 of both kinds external, and generally pedicellate, and hence Dr. 
 Harvey refers it to the natural family Sphaerococcoidefe. JPloca- 
 onium coccineum is a cosmopolitan, and, according to Dr. Grreville, 
 is " one of the most charming and symmetrical algse in the world, 
 extremely common, and a universal favourite." This species may 
 be often collected at Manly ; but P. confervaceum and P. JPres- 
 sianuni are not so common. For a beautiful specimen of the 
 latter, I am indebted to Mrs, S. Pearson, of Illawarra, a lady 
 who has devoted much attention to the collection of Alga), and 
 who, in addition to the species of Flocamium, has succeeded in 
 finding some rare and elegant plants. The species ofl Gerammm 
 which I have found are very small ; but one of them, when mag- 
 nified, is exceedingly interesting, and similar to C. miniatum. 
 Nearly allied to this genus is that of Ballia, of which I have 
 received a specimen from Dr. Mueller, which I believe he pro- 
 cured at the Port Phillip Heads, by dredging. To the same kind 
 friend, I am indebted for . Oelidium glandulcefolmm, but this is 
 not a favourite with collectors in general, as it does not adhere 
 to paper. Rhabdonia, Hymenocladia, Mliodymenia., and Nitopliyl- 
 htm occur in different parts of the coast ; but Laurencia seems 
 much more common, and is represented by three species. And 
 yet I have not found any specimen of this genus, so elegant as 
 L. concinna, which was collected many years since in New Zea- 
 land, by Mrs. Josiah Betts, when visiting the Bay of Islands in 
 company with her venerable father, the Eev. Samuel Marsden. 
 Thysanocladia laxa has been found by Mrs. Pearson at Illawarra. 
 This, Dr. Harvey mentions " as a rare species, and, like all the 
 others, a deep water plant." The corallines, such as Corallina 
 officinalis, Jania rubens, and Melohesia are very common. These* 
 were formerly regarded by many naturalists as animals, but Dr. 
 Harvey says, " The question of the vegetable nature of corallines 
 may now be considered as finally set at rest by the researches of 
 Kutzing, Philippi, and Decaisne. "Whoever macerates a portion 
 
160 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 of one of these stony vegetables in acid, till the lime it contains 
 is dissolved, will find he has a structure of a totally different 
 nature from that of any zoophyte, while it is perfectly analogous 
 to that of many algae." Iq the natural family of Ehodomelese, 
 there are some interesting and beautiful sea-weeds, such as Foly- 
 sipJionia, Dasija, and Martensia, which are most appropriate objects 
 for the miscroscope. P. for/ex, though not likely to arrest the 
 attention of the casual observer, is elegantly figured by Harvey, 
 and is well worthy of examination under the microscope. Persons 
 liot accustomed to such investigations, will gaze with astonish- 
 ment at the regularity and beauty of these insigniiicant plants, 
 and they may be led to conclude with the Psalmist that " the 
 works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have 
 pleasure therein." Of Foli/phacum I have received a specimen 
 from Victoria, and I have also in my collection Lsnormandia, and 
 a fragment of Jeannerettia, but I do not know where they were 
 procured. The last genus is named in honour of Dr. Jeanerett, 
 an investigator of the botany of Tasmania, and well known to 
 many persons in this colony. There are many more plants of the 
 red series which remain to be considered on some future occasion, 
 and I confess that I should esteem it a high honour if, in the 
 course of my investigation, I could discover any traces of the 
 singularly curious species, Claudea Bennettiana (named in com- 
 pliment to Dr. Bennett, the accomplished naturalist) of which, to 
 the present time, only one specimen has been found, and that in 
 the Parramatta Eiver, near Spectacle Island. In a pretty album 
 called " Treasures of the Deep," containing fifty' specimens of 
 of Scottish Algae, there are some elegant lines applicable in an 
 especial degree to the red series of sea-weeds. With these, 
 therefore, I shall conclude my brief review of our Australian 
 Ehodosperms : — 
 
 " Call us not weeds, we are flowers of the sea, 
 
 For lovely, and bright, and gny tinted are we ; 
 
 And quite independent of culture or showers, 
 
 Then call us not weeds — we are ocean's gay flowers." 
 
 Of the third series, or the Chlorospermeae, one of the most 
 common, and at the same time most interesting, is Microdictyon 
 AjardJdanum. This derives its generic name "a small net," from 
 the filmy network of the frond. It is abundant throughout Port 
 Jackson, and in the Parramatta Biver, and I have collected a 
 
ALGJB OB SEA-WEEDS. 161 
 
 specimen as far up the river as Newington. Harvey describes 
 the frond as " from one to twelve inches broad, of no certain out- 
 line, lying flat on the surface of rocks or sand, unattached, or 
 fixed to Alga3 and Corallines by several points of its lower sur- 
 face, wholly composed of confervoid, articulated, anastomosing 
 filaments, and comparable either to a network with irregular 
 meshes, or to a skeleton leaf." The species of Enter omorplia, 
 Viva, and Conferva, all of which extend far up the Parramatta 
 Eiver, seem to be cosmopolitan, and sq also do many of the 
 species of Cladophora ; but of the family of Siphonese, there are 
 some remarkable plants, which deserve more than a passing re- 
 mark. Of Codium, I have noticed three species — G. tomentosum 
 (which also occurs in Europe), C. spongiosum, and C. mamillo- 
 sum (?). The fronds of Codium are sponge-like, being composed 
 of one-celled branching filaments filled with green matter, and 
 the fructification is minute, consisting of spore cases attached 
 laterally. Of the genus Caulerjpa there are several species 
 figured by Harvey, but of these I have met with only two — C. 
 hypnoides, and C. sedoides, for both of which I am indebted to Mrs. 
 Pearson. This genus derives its name from caulos, a stem, and 
 erpo, to creep, the creeping surculi being the characteristic of 
 the genus. G. hypnoides has the appearance of a Uypnum, or 
 moss, and is said to bear a close resemblance to a Swiss fossil, 
 figured by Brongniart under the name Facoides hypnoides. 
 
 In bringing this communication to a close, I may remark that 
 the study of sea-weeds is attended with many collateral advan- 
 tages, for it is almost impossible to examine the forms and struc- 
 ture of them without being occasionally diverted to other studies. 
 Many beautiful zoophites will be frequently found adhering to 
 them, and hence the collector is imperceptibly led to the consi- 
 deration of matters beyond the range of the vegetable kingdom. 
 In my inquiries, trifling and limited as they have been, I have 
 noticed with much pleasure several species of Flustra and Ser- 
 tularia. These are interesting objects for the microscope, and the 
 study of them is calculated to give us a most extended view of 
 the Creator's works, for in a common specimen of Flustra, it has 
 been estimated that there are 18,000 polypi, 39(3,000 tentacula, 
 and 39,600,000 cilia on these tentacula ! " How much life and 
 active employment," says a late writer, " on a small polypidom". 
 
 V 
 
162 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 Most of the zoophytes to which I now refer, are too small to in- 
 terest the general observer, but as he is wandering amongst 
 the rocks near the sea, he cannot fail to notice the sea-anemones 
 or Actinia, for these are visible to the naked eye, and claim 
 attention on account of their beauty. Nor, indeed, as he walks 
 along the shore of Manly at certain periods, will the Por- 
 tuguese Man-of-War {Physalia) escape his observation, for speci- 
 mens may be seen in great abundance, as the retiring tide leaves 
 them on the strand. This little acalephous creature is figured 
 and described m Dr. Bennett's work ; but I would caution the 
 uninitiated not to handle it too afi'ectionately, for by persons of 
 certain temperaments, it cannot 'be touched without incon- 
 venience. Most persons are stung or burned in the fingers by 
 handling it, but sometimes more serious consequences arise, as 
 indeed Dr. Bennett has hinted. The same unpleasant sensations 
 arise from coming in contact with some species of Medusa, as in 
 not a few, Culvier informs us, the gelatinous matter Avhich fills 
 the integument of the disc is of so acrid a nature, as to irritate 
 ^nd blister the skin. I recollect having visited the baths at 
 Southampton many years since, and on coming out of the water 
 where there had been some Medusce, I experienced the same feel- 
 ings as if I had been rolling in a bed of sting-nettles. There is 
 another animal which may often be seen at Manly, for a de- 
 scription of which we are indebted to the distinguished naturalist 
 "W. S. Macleay, Esq., I mean Boltenia i^eniformis, belonging to a 
 sub-genus of ascidia. The following is the generic character of 
 Boltenia as reformed by Mr. Macleay : — " Body with a coriaceous 
 test, supported from the summit by a long pedicle, and having 
 both orifices lateral and cleft into four rays. Branchial pouch 
 divided into longitudinal folds, surmounted by a circle of com- 
 pound tentacula, and having the reticulation of its respiratory 
 tissue simple ; abdomen lateral, ovary multiple." 
 
LICHENS. 163 
 
 LICHENS. 
 
 T T was observed many years since, by the celebrated Eobert 
 Brown, that two thirds of the lichens found in New Holland 
 are identical with European species ; and more recent authors 
 have proved that many of the common forms (such as JJsnea har- 
 hata, Gladonia pyxidata, Lecanora suhfusca, &c.), are truly cosmo- 
 politan. In treating of the mosses that occur in this neighbour- 
 hood, I have already had occasion to notice that as we descend 
 in the vegetable kingdom, there is a remarkable similiarity in the 
 species which are found in different parts of the world, and that 
 under certain conditions the same plants invariably spring up. 
 How this happens, learned men are unable to explain ; but per- 
 haps it may assist our comprehension of the subject, if we reflect 
 on the amazing fecundity of well-known cryptogamous plants, 
 and the probability that their spores are almost indefinitely dif- 
 fused, and ever ready to appear when conditions favourable to 
 their development occur. In the common English fern " hart's 
 tongue" (Scolopendritmi), it has been calculated that in a good- 
 sized frond, there are at least fifty sori or patches of spore cases, 
 that each sorus contains from four to six thousand thecse or cases, 
 and that these thecae themselves inclose about fifty spores. Now 
 these facts, which the miscroscope has revealed to us, lead to the 
 wonderful conclusion, that a single leaf of the plant may give rise to 
 no less than ten millions of young ferns ! The sporules of some 
 species of moss (such for instance as Dicranvm hryoides, Funaria 
 hygrometrica, Tor tula muralis, Didymodon ^^urpurewn, &c.,) are 
 likewise exceedingly numerous, and probably almost indefinitely 
 difiused. Nor, indeed, must it be overlooked, that innumerable as 
 the sporules may be, they do not appear in every case necessary 
 for the propagation of these minute plants, for of the many species 
 which clothe the rocks of Spitzbergen, few are ever seen in a state of 
 fructification. It may be mentioned, therefore, on the authority 
 of Dr. Hooker, that what are considered the seeds of mosses, are 
 liot requisite for the increase of these plants, On this subject, 
 
164 A CONTEIBrTION TO, ETC. 
 
 there is evidently much obscurity, and although as in the case of 
 ferns and mosses, the spores of lichens seem to be wafted by the 
 breeze, or conveyed by falling rain, and afford " one means of 
 that gradual but never-ceasing disintegration or decay, which is 
 wearing down the densest and loftiest pinnacles of the earth ;" 
 yet the mode of their fructification is but imperfectly understood. 
 Without offering any speculative opinion, therefore, on the fact 
 that certain conditions only seem necessary for the production of 
 many cryptogamous plants, I shall endeavour to enumerate the 
 species of lichens which occur in this neighbourhood, and to 
 point out some of their probable uses in the economy of nature. 
 
 The word Lichen is of G-reek origin, and means a wart, and it 
 seems to have been applied to this family of plants, from a fancied 
 resemblance between warts, and the fructification of some lichens. 
 In common conversation, many of the lichens, especially 
 TIsnea harhata, (the " bearded Moss" of the poets), and 
 Cladonia hellidifiora, (the " Ked-cupped moss" of Mrs. Hemans 
 and others) are termed mosses, and, therefore, it may be desir- 
 able to state, that, according to the definition of a late writer, 
 " Lichens are aerial plants with leaves and stem combined into 
 a visible above-ground thallus, which either spreads horizontally 
 in the form of a lobed, irregular crust or plate, or rises erect 
 with irregular, unsymmetrical branches, the reproductive organs 
 being embedded in external disks or shields." With respect to 
 these organs, however, there is much difficulty, and the nature 
 and functions of what lichenologists call spermatia (that is 
 minute acicular, or linear bodies, straight or curved, and of 
 various forms) is wholly unknown. These spermatia are developed 
 long before the spores, and according to late writers, they bear 
 some analogy to the antherozoids of the genus Ghara. Very 
 high powers of the miscroscope have been applied to these bodies ; 
 but owiing to their extreme tenuity, they have hitherto baffled ex- 
 amination. It would occupy too much space to pursue this sub- 
 ject any further, nor indeed would it interest the general reader ; 
 but I may remark that in the vegetable, as well as in the animal 
 kingdom, there are many mysteries to be solved in reference to 
 the lower forms, especially as regards their varying modes of 
 reproduction. How the sterile moss, or the sterile lichen (no 
 organs of fructification being apparent) spreads over the barren 
 
- LICHENS. 165 
 
 rocks, it is difficult to conceive ; and if Dr. Hooker's opinion on 
 the subject be correct, it is evident that we have much to learn. 
 Without descending, however, so low as mosses and lichens, there 
 are in Australia, two instances, one from the animal, and the 
 other from the vegetable kingdom, that seem to open up a very 
 wide field of inquiry. I allude particularly to the shrub called 
 Ccelehogyne ilicifolia, which without any apparent male organs, 
 seems to propagate itself from generation to generation; and 
 also to the troublesome insect called Aphis or plant-louse, which 
 according to Cuvier and Owen, is capable of multiplying in a 
 manner different from the higher forms of animal life, and that 
 to such a degree, that supposing one aphis produced one 
 hundred at each brood, she would at the tenth brood be the pro- 
 genitor of one quintillion of descendants— 1,000,000,000,000,000, 
 000. 
 
 The Lichens, which I have collected belong to the following 
 genera: (1) Usnea, (2) Oornieulm^ia, (3) Bamalina, (4) Farmelia, 
 (5) Lecanora, (6) Lecidea, (7) Opegrapha, (8) Graphis, (9) 
 Bceomyces, (10) Gladonia, (11) Collema, (12) Pertusaria, and (13) 
 Verrucaria. 
 
 (1) Usnea. — This is a cosmopolitan, and is said to derive its 
 name from an Arabic word, which is a generic term for all 
 Lichens. As it hangs gracefully from the branches of old trees, 
 it is compared by some of our poets to " old men's beards," and 
 by Shakspeare it is called " idle moss." It is said to be a 
 stringent, and in some parts of the world it is collected and pre- 
 served as winter fodder for domestic animals. Usnea has had its 
 reputation as a dye, and also as a remedy for hooping cough, but 
 whatever may be its utility in these respects, there can be little 
 doubt respecting its use to the bird stuffer, and as it is found in 
 almost all countries, from the Arctic to the Antarctic regions, it 
 is [always available for collections of stuifed birds. Although 
 Usnea may be seen on most of our old trees and fences, yet it is 
 not so abundant as in colder climates, where it attains the great- 
 est size, and sometimes covers the surface of the rocks. The 
 species so common here appears to be U. harhtda, and is of a 
 greyish colour, but in some parts of the colony it assumes an 
 orange or straw colour ; and it seems probable that one of 
 these varieties has furnished the orange dye to which allusion has 
 been made. 
 
166 A CONTEIBIJTION TO, ETC. 
 
 (2) Gornicularia derives its name from corniculum, " a little 
 horn," in allusion to the little horn-like divisions into which the 
 thallus is divided. The species C.Jlavicans is common not merely 
 on bush trees, but also on many kinds of garden fruit trees, and 
 it may readily be distinguished by its golden yellow or orange 
 colour. Some of the brightest specimens which I have noticed 
 in this neighbourhood were growing on Acacia or Bursaria ; but 
 I think, as a general rule, this Lichen seldom appears on young 
 and healthy trees, and some horticulturists, being of opinion that 
 it is injurious, remove it as soon as possible. Lichens or as they 
 are generally termed by gardeners ." Mosses," are not popular 
 amongst horticulturists, and in a late work the following passage 
 occurs :■ — •" The most effectual, most salutary, and least disagree- 
 able remedy for moss on trees is of trivial expense, and which a 
 gardener need but try upon one individual to insure its adoption. 
 It is with a hard scrubbing-brush, dipped in a strong brine of 
 common salt as often as necessary, to insure each portion of the 
 bark being moistened with it, to scrub the trunks and branches 
 of his trees at least every second year. It most effectually des- 
 troys insects of all kinds and moss, and the stimulating influence 
 of the application, and the friction, are productive of most bene- 
 ficial effects." Of mosses, truly so called, there are two {Gym- 
 nostomum and Zygodon), which may frequently be seen on the 
 mulberry and English oak when growing in damp and shady 
 places, and although they are very beautiful objects for micro- 
 scopic investigation, I suppose they will be included also amongst 
 the " nuisances" referred to in the preceding paragraph. 
 
 (3) Mmnalina is so called from ramale, " a dead twig," because 
 that is a very common habitat of its species. It. fiaxinea, which 
 is so generally found in this part of the world, derives its name 
 from fraxinus, the ash tree, but it occurs not merely on that tree, 
 but also on many other trees, so that, as far as this colony is 
 concerned, the specific name is by no means appropriate. Some 
 of the best specimens which I have seen, were found adhering to 
 the bark of Acacia cinerascens on the banks of the Nepean, not 
 far from the residence of my gallant friend, H. T. Shadforth, Esq., 
 but it may be seen on many of our forest trees, and also on old 
 fences. Some botanists regard the different varieties of this 
 lichen as distinct species^ but one of the latest writers has ar- ' 
 
LICHENS. 167 
 
 rived at tlie conclusion tliat at least all tlie British Eamalinse are 
 only varying forms of one species. This species has a very wide 
 geographical range, being found on the Himalayas, and in diifer- 
 ent parts of India, in Lapland, and in the polar regions, in North 
 America, and it is said to contain a considerable amount of gum, 
 which has been used instead of gum arable in calico printing and 
 in tho making of parchment and pasteboard ; in a pulverised form 
 it has been used as the basis of hair powders. (" Lindsay's 
 British Lichens.") 
 
 (4) Farmelia seems to be derived from parma, a roiind buckler, 
 in allusion to the appearance of the apothecia, or the horny disks 
 arising from the thallus, and containing the spores. This is one 
 of the largest and most extensive genera of lichens, and its species 
 are very widely distributed in all parts of the world, being found 
 even " on all the rocks projecting through snow, without any 
 limitation as to height, and ascending far above the snow-line : 
 they also occur at above 16,000 feet on Chimborazo." The forms 
 or species of JParmelia so common in Europe, are found in 
 similar situations here, namely on rocks, old trees and fences. 
 P. caperata, P. pidverulcMa, and P. stellaris, generally occur on 
 trees and fences, and P. saxatalis and P. oJivacea on rocks in or 
 near creeks ; but as in Europe, so also here, the last-mentioned 
 species is sterile and degenerate when in such localities, and it 
 appears to afford an instance, similar to that already adverted to 
 in some mosses, of increasing and spreading without fructification. 
 These lichens appear as white, grey , greenish, or olive coloured 
 j)atches, and they are very abundant on trees, (particularly 
 Gasuarina, &c.), when growing in shady places near creeks, in- 
 creasing apparently in size and beauty, as the trees become old 
 and decayed. In the Pharmacopoeia, P. caperata, P. olivacea, and 
 P. saxatalis, are mentioned as " roborant" and " astringent," and 
 it is stated that in some parts of the world, they are used in dye- 
 ing, but in " Lindley's Medical and Economical Botany," the 
 only species retained is P. parieiina, or as it is called in Europe 
 the Yellow Wall Lichen, which is said to be bitter, and yielding a 
 yellow colouring matter. I have noticed this species near Parra- 
 matta, but it grows on sandstone rocks near the coast. On some 
 of the inland species, I have seen some minute species of 
 Juncjermannia, but not differing materially from those described 
 as European. 
 
168 A CONTBIBTrTION" TO, ETC. 
 
 (5) Lecanora comprises a genus not so easily distinguished as 
 the preceding, and the species here are much smaller than some 
 already enumerated. The name of this genus is taken from le- 
 cane, a dish or platter, in allusion to the form of the apothecium. 
 Two species L. atra and L. suhfusca, are very common, and they 
 may be found on trees, rocks, fences, and sometimes even on the 
 ground. The apothecia of these appear very much alike both 
 eventually becoming black, though in L. suhfusca they are not 
 so ah initio. It is almost impossible to examine the bark of trees 
 or the rocks without noticing the small black shield-like bodies 
 which constitute the sporangia of these lichens, i. suhfusca may 
 be termed cosmopolitan, and Dr. Hooker states in his work on 
 the Cryptogamic Antarctic Plora, that it is one of those plants 
 which with a few mosses, comprise the last remnants of vegeta- 
 tion in the Southern Hemisphere. 
 
 (6) Lecidea is another genus which takes its name from the 
 form of its apothecia, which are supposed to resemble a dish 
 (Lecos a dish and eidos like). The apothecia are black, flattish 
 and marginate or uniform. The species which I have noticed on 
 the sandstone rocks to the north of Parramatta, appears similar 
 to the L. petrcea of Europe, and it is evidently nearly allied to X. 
 geograpliica, but differing from that species in the colour of the crust, 
 and the shape of the apothecia. When viewed with the naked 
 eye, this lichen appears on tTie rock as a white patch, with 
 innumerable black specks on it, but under a lens the thallus has a 
 somewhat tessellated appearance, and the black specks are seen 
 as apothecia grown into the crust, with a tumid elevated contracted 
 margin. I have been thus particular in describing the appear- 
 ance of this diminutive plant, as I believe it to be one of those 
 insignificant but wonderful agents employed by Divine Provi- 
 dence for the disintegration of rocks, and the gradual prepara- 
 tion of a humble soil for mosses and other plants. This opinion 
 I mentioned some little time since to my eminent geological 
 friend the Eev. AV. B. Clarke, and I was pleased to find that he 
 agreed so far with me, as to attribute much importance to the 
 slow and almost imperceptible changes affected by "mosses." 
 Since that- conversation, I have had an opportunity of reading a 
 late work on British Lichens, and in that I find several inter- 
 esting facts, mentioned in reference to the genus Lecidea^ which 
 
LICHENS. 169 
 
 tend to show that the species are interesting to the geologist as 
 well as to the botanist. The writer states, " almost all lichens are 
 more or less intimately united to the bodies on which they grow," 
 the surface of the latter is frequently pierced or broken up by 
 the tissues of the lichen ; nay, the hardest calcareous rock, the 
 smoothest quartz, is corroded and disintegrated ; and deeply sunk 
 in their substance we find the fructification of several species of 
 Verrucaria and Lecidea. This phenomenon has hitherto been 
 unexplained; it probably depends on some chemical action 
 exerted on the rock by the lichen." In reference to the for- 
 mation of soil, the same writer remarks, that " lichens form a soil 
 fitted for the germination and growth of higher plants — a saxi- 
 colous, crustaceous species growing on the bare quartz summits 
 of the highest mountains ; or, he adds, ■ we may suppose its 
 habitat to be the bare lava of a volcanic district, or the equally 
 sterile surface of a newly upraised coral island. The delicate 
 spores of such a species have been wafted thither by a breeze or 
 washed to its surface by a shower. They germinate, and develop 
 a thallus, which becomes adherent to the rocky surface by a pro- 
 cess of disintegration. From the atmosphere chiefly, and from 
 the rock perhaps to a slight extent, the plant derives nourish- 
 ment, grows, and in the course of time dies, thereby adding to 
 this stratum of mineral soil, which it has produced, a thicker 
 layer of vegetable soil, This soil is now suited for fructiculose 
 or foliaceous lichens ; these in their turn decay, and contribute 
 to the increase of the vegetable soil, which is next taken posses- 
 sion of by mosses and ferns, and gradually, by various phanero- 
 gamic plants*, shrubs, and trees Linnaeus denomi- 
 nated the mosses, servi — handmaids of nature. We think the 
 reader will agree with us in considering that the lichens have a 
 superior claim to the appellation." With regard to the habitat 
 of the genus Lecidea, it may be remarked that it is found at the 
 greatest elevation hitherto reached by man ; it occurs far above 
 the line of perpetual snow on the Alps, and is the last type of 
 vegetation met with on the Andes and Himalayas, and on the 
 deserts of Nova Zembla. 
 
 (7 and 8) Opegrapha and Graphissire two genera of minute lichens 
 that have acquired their respective names from the resemblance 
 of the species to written characters, 0. vulgata and O. scripta 
 w 
 
170 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 may be found not only on the introduced oak and pine, but also 
 on several colonial trees, es}3ecially Gasuarina paliidosa. One of 
 the most prominent differences between the genera, is in the dis- 
 position of the apothecia, those of the former being sessile, and 
 those of the latter immersed. 
 
 (9) Bceomyces, which derives its name from haios, small, and 
 myceSj a mushroom, is a genus consisting of diminutive plants 
 closely resembling fungi. Of this genus I have noticed only one 
 species, viz., B. rufus. This plant has been placed in somewhat 
 the same position with regard to fungi, as Collema has to algae, 
 for Avhilst the one has been claimed as a fungus, the latter has 
 been claimed as an alga. The presence, however, of what licheno- 
 logists term gonidia (or green reproductive granules found in the 
 medullary layer), is said to have settled the question. 
 
 (10) Cladonia. This genus was formerly called Cenomyce, but 
 it is now more usually termed Cladonia^ from dados, a small 
 branch, in allusion to the branch-like appearance of some species 
 of it. From possessing a vertical, as well as horizontal thallus, 
 the CladonicB rank amongst the highest typical forms of lichens, 
 the podetium or the stalk-like elevation of the thallus being re- 
 garded by some as a modification of the foliole, or squamule. I 
 have collected near Parramatta, O. pyxidata, C. furcata, C. yraciliSj 
 C. hellidijiora, and C. cervicoi^nis. The first of these acquires its 
 specific name from pyxis, a cup or box, in allusion to the scyphi- 
 ferous podetia, and it is of a greenish or greyish colour. There 
 can be no doubt of the medicinal properties of this species, though 
 probably they have been much over-rated. It contains a con- 
 siderable amount of starchy matter; and in many respects re- 
 sembles Cetraria Islandica, or Iceland moss, being useful in 
 affections of the chest. C.furcata is very common, and is either 
 glaucous or brownish, growing not only on the shady banks of 
 creeks, or on moist rocks, but also in damp places generally. 
 During the late wet season, it has appeared in almost all the 
 fields of the neighbourhood. This species is liable to consider- 
 able variation, and one of the varieties resembles C. rangiferina, or 
 reindeer moss, so closely that it may easily be taken for it. C. 
 gracilis is of a colour similar to the last, and grows on the ground, 
 and generally amongst moss. It is also very widely distributed, 
 being found both in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. C. heU 
 
LICHEJfS. 171 
 
 lidiflora is a much admired species, the colour of the apothecia, 
 which are often conglomerate, being a beautiful scarlet. Mrs. 
 Hemans is supposed to allude to it in the lines : — 
 " They find the red cup moss where they climb, 
 And they chase the bee o'er the scented thyme," 
 C. cervicornis has been very abundant during the wet weather, 
 and it may be seen almost everywhere in damp shady places. 
 The thallus is nearly horizontal, laciniate-lobed, and of a green 
 colour above. Some writers look upon this as a macrophylline 
 state of C. gracilis. The most interesting lichen that I have 
 seen in Australia is G. retipora, but it does not occur in this 
 neighbourhood. The Eev. T. Hassall gave me a specimen of it, 
 which he procured from the vicinity of Berrima, and the accom- 
 plished authoress of "Gertrude" and " Cowanda" informs me 
 that she has had specimens from the same locality ; but as the 
 species was described by Sprengel many years since, I think that 
 it must occur somewhere nearer the coast. It grows to the 
 height of several inches, and the upper surface is granulate. 
 The podetia are erect, tubularly ventricose, pierced with numer- 
 ous small apertures, of a sulphury brown colour, branched, and 
 having small black apothecia. As it becomes old, it assumes 
 somewhat a coralline appearance, becoming nearly white. My 
 learned friend Dr. Y. Mueller informs me that C. retipora is 
 common in the glacial regions of Tasmania and New Zealand. 
 
 (11) Collema. This is one of the gelatinous or jelly lichens, 
 and is so called from a Grreek word, signifying a glutinous sub- 
 stance. All the species are gelatinous, which are supposed by 
 Pries to be algse, in a licheniform state, JVostoc cceruleum being 
 positively stated to be convertible into Collema limosum. AVhen 
 I was searching for mosses some little time since, in the Native 
 Vineyard near the Eev. T. Hassall's, I met with a species of CoU 
 lema growing amongst the mosses^ and at first sight I supposed it 
 to be nostoc, but after careful examination of the fructification, 
 which consists of apothecia discoid and scutellate, I came to the 
 conclusion that it was C. atrocceruleujn^ a species distinguished by 
 a very thin and somewhat transparent thallus, from lead colour 
 becoming reddish, when moist, olive coloured. With regard to 
 more minute distinctions, which can only be ascertained by a 
 very high power of the microscope, I must again quote from Dr. 
 
172 A CONTEIBUTIOK^ TO, ETC. 
 
 Lindsay ; " This is one of the species possessing a distinct cor- 
 tical layer, composed of intimately united, polyhedral cellules, 
 while the medullary tissue resembles the filamentous texture of 
 the more gelatinous collemas. Its spores are ellipsoid, acum- 
 inate at the ends, having a delicate wall, and containing several 
 transverse rows of cellules, separated by indistinct, and some- 
 times unsymmetrical septa." 
 
 (12) Pertusaria (from pertusus, full of holes or cracked in allu- 
 sion to the appearance of the fructiferous warts) is represented 
 here by one species P. communis, which frequently occurs on 
 trees and rocks. In this species, the spores are so large, that 
 under certain circumstances, they may be rendered visible to the 
 naked eye. When growing on trees, P. communis is of a grey- 
 ish white colour ; but on the rocks, owing probably to some 
 chemical action, it is somewhat yellowish. On the thallus of 
 this lichen, there is sometimes a very small one parasitical {Cali- 
 cium turhinatum). 
 
 (13) Verrucaria c^ndermidis is also a very minute plant. The 
 name of the genus refers to the warted appearance of the species, 
 which are scattered over the bark of trees like black or dark 
 coloured warts. I have not noticed any of the genus on rocks, but 
 in Europe, many such have been described. 
 
 In addition to the species mentioned, I have also a specimen of 
 Sticfa crocata in- my collection, but I have not mentioned it with 
 the others, as it does not occur anywhere near Parramatta. From 
 the subjoined list, which I quote from the " Annual report of the 
 Grovernment botanist, and the director of the Botanic Grarden of 
 Melbourne for 1858," the reader will have an opportunity of as- 
 certaining the names of the species collected by Dr. F. Mueller 
 up to that period. 
 
 LrCHENES, MlCHELI. 
 
 Hamalina memhranacea Cladonia vermicularis 
 
 Sticta orygmcea C. neglecta 
 
 S. crocata Lecanora coarctata 
 
 Parnielia perforaia X. parella 
 
 -P. caperata Ggropliora cijlindrica 
 
 P. conspersa Coccocarpia 1 uhiginosa 
 
 P. enteromorpha C leucorrliiza 
 
LICHENS. 
 
 173 
 
 To this list must be added eleven species, which, together with 
 
 those already enumerated, appear in the " Journal of Botany," 
 
 published at Halle, in 1856, as a part of the " Planta) Muellerianse," 
 
 or the plants collected in Victoria by Dr. F. Mueller : — 
 
 Gladonia cornicularia Sticta aurata 
 
 C. carneola var. gracilis ? S. cinereo-glauca 
 
 C. furcata Parmelia perlata 
 
 C. rigida P. spinosa 
 
 TJsnea Jlorida JBiatora cinnabarina. 
 
 Peltigera polydactyla 
 
 KUREAJONG AND TOMAH. 
 
 (1861.) » 
 
 T\ uring a late trip to Tomah, I was particularly interested with 
 the cryptogamous botany of that locality, audi think that 
 any persons who are anxious to make collections of ferus could 
 scarcCiy select a more favoured spot as the scene of their 
 exertions. DicJcsonia antarciica is the most splendid of the tree 
 ferns, and some of them exceed fifty feet in height. It was 
 mentioned some years since by Mr. Cunningham as a botanical 
 curiosity, that " every specimen of the DicJcsonia had young 
 seedlings of Quintinia Sieheri growing from its stem into which 
 they were well rooted." This curious fact may still be noticed 
 in one part of the mountain, but the beautiful Quintinia is not 
 always parasitical, for some splendid specimens of it may be seen 
 growing independently as forest trees near the Cut Rock and 
 other places. In connection also with Dichsonia, the interesting 
 climbing plant Fieldia Australis of the BigUonia family may be 
 mentioned, as it is frequently met with in the shady woods, 
 adhering to the stems of the tree ferns. The smaller DicJcsonia 
 (D. davallioides) is very abundant ; but as the fronds are very 
 membranaceous, and liable to be injured by some insect, it is dif- 
 
174 A CONTRlBrTION TO, ETC. 
 
 ficult to meet with perfect specimens at all seasons. Erown 
 mentions this fern as being closely allied to Davallia or DicJcsonia 
 duhia (Hooker), so common in this neighbourhood. The chief 
 points of difference appear to be the delicate texture of the frond, 
 the paucity and somewhat marginal character of the sori, and the 
 better defined forking of the veins. The other tree ferns are Also- 
 phila Australis, and A. Leichhardtiana. The latter, which may be 
 distinguished by its darker rachis and serrated segments, is not 
 noticed in Sir William Hooker's " Species Filicum ;" and it is 
 somewhat remarkable that that eminent writer speaks of A. Aus- 
 tralis, so abundant on the mountains, as " probably a rare species," 
 remarking that the only specimens he was so fortunate as to 
 possess were amongst Sieber's collections ! The genus Folypo- 
 dium has two species plentifully distributed amongst the larger 
 ferns, and they may frequently be seen twining round the cau- 
 dices of the tree ferns, or spreading over the rocks. These are 
 P. Billardieri and P. rupestre, and P. attenuatum has been found 
 in an adjacent gully. P. Billardieri, or, as it is sometimes called, 
 P. scandens, is a very variable fern, the fronds of which are some- 
 times simple find sometimes pinnatifid — the former being fre- 
 quently in a fertile state as well as the latter. Of the genus Asple- 
 nium, A. odontites (Brown) is very common on the trees at Tomah ; 
 and A. nidus and A. flahellata occur in tlie neighbourhood, and I 
 have been informed that ^. di^ormehas been found iu the same lo- 
 cality. Connected with this genus, and perhaps unnecessarily sep- 
 arated from it, is Allantodia tenera, a very delicate fern, now placed 
 in the genus Asplenium, and frequently growing in company with 
 DicJcsonia davallioides. The genus Lomaria or Stegania, which has 
 three species at or near Tomah, viz., L. Patersoni, L. lanceolata, 
 and L. procera, occasions some difficulty to the pteridophilist 
 from its resemblance to the genus Blechnum. Indeed the two 
 genera are not in some species easily separated, unless we adopt 
 Smith's canon, " that from Lomaria, the genus Blechnum differs 
 not only in its* fertile fronds not being contracted, but also in the 
 venules being continued beyond the soriferous receptacle and ter- 
 terminatiug in the margin." Adopting this view, I think that one 
 so-called species of Blechnum common on the creeks near Parra- 
 matta, must be referred to Lomaria, as the fertile fronds are 
 certainly contracted. In addition to the ferns enumerated. Gram- 
 
ft 
 
 mrE MOUNTAINS. . 175 
 
 mitis, Hymenophyllum, TricJiomanes, LindscBa, Adiantum, Todea, &c. 
 occur, and also some very interesting mosses. On a former 
 occasion, I noticed the truly Australian moss Dawsonia poly- 
 trichoideSj but lately my friend Miss Atkinson has been so fortu- 
 nate as to find Polytriclium aloides, which I regard as an interest- 
 ing fact in the crpytogamous botany of the Blue Mountains. 
 When studying the mosses of the Parramatta district, I referred 
 to this country as being unfavourable for the development of 
 mosses. Generally speaking, it is so, but in some of the gullies 
 on the mountains, large patches of moss are to be met with, which 
 are very interesting to the Bryologist. At Tomah, I again 
 noticed the moss which I believe to be Sprengel's HooJceria pen- 
 nata, as well as several species of Hypmun (IT. proUferum, K. 
 minutultwi, and H. cupressiforme), and a few others, which, being 
 in a sterile state, I was unable to determine. In the secluded 
 spots to which I have alluded, the mosses most attractive were 
 Br yum Gai^dichaudi, B. Billardiei i, Dicranum scoparium, D. glau- 
 cum, and Orthotrichum crispum, as well as several species of Jun- 
 germannia, one of which, probably identical with the European J. 
 tomentella, formed large patches in moist places. The lichens 
 which I saw belonged principally to the genera Gladonia, Collemay 
 and Parmelia, and the fungi to Ayaricus and Bolyporus, the lat- 
 ter being very abundant in the gullies. 
 
 On the road between the Kurrajong and Tomah, the forest 
 trees are principally of the Myrtacesa, the most remarkable of 
 which are Syncarpia or turpentine ; AnyopJiora lanceolata, or red 
 gum ; and several species of Eucalyptus. There is great difficulty 
 in fixing the species of the last, but as far as I can determine, the 
 blackbut is Tl. pilularis ; the bloodwood, E. corymhosa ; stringy 
 bark, E. 'obliqua ; peppermint, E. piperita ; mountain blue gum, 
 E. eugenioides ; forest mahogany, E. resinifera ; and the grey gum, 
 E. tereticornis. Beyond the line, two more species of Eucalyptus 
 are met with, which are certainly the trees mentioned by Cun- 
 ningham, as E. microphylla and E. pulvigera ; the former is said 
 to form brushes on the more elevated parts of the mountains, and 
 the latter agrees with specimens sent to me from the neighbour- 
 hood of Goulburn under the name of peppermint. The flowers 
 and seed vessels of the mountain blue gum, closely resemble 
 those of the gum frequent at the North Shore, near Sydney, and 
 
176 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 which appears to be E. hcemastoma. Tristania nereifolia, and Uu- 
 genia ellipfica, occur frequently in the gullies ; and of the former 
 genus, there is a species, probably T. laurina, which is seen grow- 
 ing in the forest. In some places, four or five species of Fer- 
 soonia occur, together with Banhsia and other proteaceous plants. 
 The species of Acacia also appeared numerous, but I noticed only 
 one in flower, which was diff'erent from those of this neighbour- 
 hood, viz., A. asparagoides, a species intermediate between A. 
 acicularis and A. juniperinus, and apparently not found in the 
 low country. 
 
 As Tomah, according to the computation of the Eev. "W. B. 
 Clarke, the eminent geologist, is 3400 feet above the level of the 
 sea, and of a basaltic formation, lying above what my learned friend 
 terms " the Wianamatta beds," it might naturally be supposed 
 that the vegetation of the. more elevated portions of the mountain 
 would be different from that of the sandstone adjacent. This we 
 have already seen to be the case in reference to the cryptogamous 
 plants which have been enumerated, and the same remark is 
 applicable to the trees of the forest. Instead of the gum trees so 
 common in the lower country, the Sassafras ( Dorypliora Sassa- 
 fras) and the white wood or light wood predominate. The latter 
 was termed by Cunningham Geratopetalum apetalum, but he ex- 
 pressed some doubt respecting the tree, as he was unable to find 
 the fruit. Dr. F. Mueller of Melbourne, to whom I have for- 
 warded specimens, refers the tree to the genus Schizomeria, and 
 certainly, from a recent examination of the flower, I have arrived 
 at the same conclusion, for it undoubtedly has jagged petals, and 
 the anthers are cordate and awnless. It is probable, however, 
 that further search may prove the existence of both species in 
 the mountains. Both the Sassafras and the lightwood are very 
 useful; the wood of the former being employed for flooring 
 boards, and the bark for its medicinal properties, whilst the latter 
 is a favourite \vith coach-builders. To this family the Christmas 
 bush {Ceratopetaluon gummifernm) , and Callicoma serratafoUa 
 belong. The latter is sometimes used for making baskets, and it 
 is one of those trees to which the early colonists gave the name 
 of " black wattle ;" but this term is now generally applied by 
 workmen to a species of acacia. Nearly allied to this is Caly- 
 comis verHcillata^ a shrub found on moist rocks on the mountains, 
 
BLUE MonrxAUfs. 177 
 
 being distinguished for its tufted flowers and oblong cordate 
 serrated leaves, which are nearly sessile, and three in a whorl. 
 On the summit of Tomah, there is a species of spinose shrub of 
 the natural family Hubiacece, which is very common. It is 
 described in Don under the name Marquisia Billardieri, and 
 is the same as Canthium quadrifidum^ which Dr. F. Mueller 
 informs me is synonymous with Cunningham's Coprosma micro- 
 pliyllum. The flowers of this plant are small, and the berries red, 
 of an ovate shape, and two-celled. There are several more shrubs 
 of this family, growing on the mountains, which belong to the 
 following genera : — Morinda, Psychotria, and Opercularia. All 
 of the last three, indeed, are found in the neighbourhood of 
 Parramatta, but during my late visit, I procured specimens of 
 two which were new to me, but which I am unable at present to 
 refer to their respective genera, as the fruit is unknown. The 
 plants of this family are well defined, being principally distin- 
 guished by their opposite leaves with interpetiolary stipules. 
 Amongst the shrubs on Tomah, 1 remarked also the elder with 
 yellow berries {Samhucus xanthocarpa) , several species o^ Solanum^ 
 and the rutaceous plant Zierla lanceolata, which on the mountains 
 attains a much greater size than it does in this district. I shall 
 not allude particularly to the parasitical orchids of Tomah, and 
 the gigantic climbers so abundant in the woods because few 
 of them flower in the season at which I visited the place. 
 
 Whilst at the Kurrajong, I had an opportunity of visiting 
 Cabbage Tree Plat, and the hills overhanging the Valley of the 
 Grose, and although the season of the year was unfavourable for 
 flowering plants, yet I was not altogether unrewarded. Besides 
 the Gorypha Australis, or the cabbage tree, which has characterised 
 the scenery of the former locality, I was pleased to notice the 
 varying forms of Alsophila, differing from each other in the size of 
 the caudex, the hairs which clothed it, and the simple or serrated 
 nature of the segments. I can scarcely think that such variations 
 are sufficient to constitute more than two distinct species. 
 Amongst the larger trees, the Turpentine and Bloodwood are 
 the most remarkable. Of the latter, two kinds are reckoned by 
 bushmen ; but as far as I could judge from the seed vessel, which 
 in this species of Eucalyptus is large and well defined, they are 
 more varieties. Near the water, we noticed Lomatia lonyifolia, 
 
 X 
 
178 A COXTRIBIITION TO, ETC. 
 
 or, as it is called "Mountain Beech,*' and Drimys dipetala, a 
 shrub that is known by the pungent nature of its seeds. The 
 principal climbers seemed to belong to the Asclepiad and Menis- 
 permiad alliance, the former, of the genera Marsdenia and 
 Tylophora, and the latter, Sarcopetalum and Stcphania. The 
 Menispermiad plants, when a transverse section of their stem is 
 made, present the appearance of spokes radiating from a centre, 
 and one of those to which I have referred is nearly allied to 
 Cocculus, and bears a striking resemblance to some of the species 
 of that genus. As we passed on our way towards the range, we 
 saw great quantities of Stypandra (not in flower), a fine species 
 of StyUdium (a pink flower remarkable for its irritable column), 
 and a Trachymene, similar to that found near Parramatta. On 
 the higher ground J noticed Euryhia microphylla, in flower, and 
 also two orchids Acianthus fornicatus, and Caladenia carnea. 
 There was also a species of Hibhertia, which was interesting to 
 me, as it differed from any that I had previously seen. My 
 learned friend Dr. Mueller is inclined to regard it as a mere 
 variety of H. monogyna, although it differs from that species in 
 not having the leaves two or three toothed at the apex. On the 
 same range there was abundance of Bossicea rotundifoUo, some 
 splendid specimens of Macrozamia spiralis, Leptomeria acida, or 
 the native currant, two species of Leucopogon, and a rutaceous 
 plant which I thought was Phehalium lachnoeoides. Here also 
 v/ere many proteaceous shrubs, particularly Xylomelum, or the 
 wooden pear, Banhsia, or honeysuckle, Lambertia, and the 
 curious cyperaceous plant CnitstisJJextiosa. 
 
 Near the inn at the foot of the Big Hill, there is a plant which 
 has been the subject of some interest, as it is stated to be 
 poisonous, {Diiboisia myoporoides). My fair friend of the Kurra- 
 jong, after describing the cork-like bark of the tree, and its 
 lilac-white blossoms, remarks " It grows also on the 8hoalhaven 
 and at Illawarra, and has an intoxicating property. The aborigines 
 make holes in the trunk and put some fluid in them, which when 
 drunk on the following morning produces stupor. Branches of 
 this shrub are thrown into pools for the purpose of intoxicating 
 the eels and bringing them to the surface. I have known an 
 instance in which giddiness and nausea have arisen from remain- 
 ing in a close room where branches of it have been placed." This 
 
BLTJE MOUNTAINS. 179 
 
 shrub occurs on tlie Toongabbie creek, but I have not heard of 
 any injury arising from it in this neighbourhood. It would be 
 well, however, if Duhoisia, as well as the native indigo, and also 
 the corms of the Armn orixense were subjected to chemical 
 analysis, as persons in different parts of the colony regard them 
 with suspicion. In addition to the trees of the Kurrajong which 
 belong for the most part to the myrtaceous family, I may in- 
 stance one of the laurel family (Tetranthera dealhata) , and Alphi- 
 tonia excelsa, an elegant tree, with leaves that are nearly white 
 on the under surface. I find that the tree called " Kurrajong" 
 (^StercuUa diversifolia) in the low country, is by no means common 
 in that district, and that the trees whose bark is still used by the 
 settlers for tying up things, are Hibiscus heterophylla, and Sponia, 
 the former of which is by far the better of the two. 
 
 In the present communication I have referred but little to the 
 Epacris family, as I noticed so few in flower. On various parts 
 of the Blue Mountains, however, the following genera have been 
 recognised, viz., Epaco^is, Styphelia, (of which one very pretty 
 species does not occur in the low country), Lysinema, Melichrus, 
 Leucopogon^ Lissantlie (viz., L. sapida and L. daphnoides.) Ponceletia 
 (a rare shrub, found near King's Table Land, adhering to rocks 
 perpetually damp, and also in similar situations nearer Sydney), 
 Monotoca (a shrub larger than any of those mentioned, found not 
 only on the mountains, but also at Manly Beach, and other places 
 near the coast), Dracophyllum secundum (a beautiful plant, with 
 bell-like drooping white flowers, which also occurs on Mr. 
 Statham's Creek, near Parramatta), and Acrotriclie divaricata. 
 The last mentioned shrub occurs plentifully in a gully near the 
 Cut Eock, and also in the neighbourhood of Parramatta. This 
 genus was appropriately named by Brown in reference to the 
 bearded tips of the corolla's segments. The Epacris family is, 
 on many accounts, an interesting one, principally however, 
 because it is almost peculiar to Australasia, and occupies the 
 same place in the vegetable kingdom here, that heathworts do at 
 the Cape of Grood Hope. The chief difference between the two 
 families is in the structure of the anther, that of Epacrids being 
 one-celled with a single receptacle of pollen, and that of Heath- 
 worts being two-celled, the cells hard and dry, separating either 
 at the apex or base, All the berries of the Epacris family are 
 
180 A COIfTElBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 edible ; but most of them are very small, with seeds large in 
 proportion to the pulpy covering. " Ground berries," and "five 
 corners," are too well known to need any reference to them, but 
 the berries of two species of Leucopogon, and also of Lissanthe, 
 are by no means despicable. 
 
 In concluding this rambling communication, I cannot do 
 otherwise than recommend invalids or persons fond of natural 
 history to visit the Kurrajong and Tomah. The scenery is 
 truly magnificent, and exercises a powerful influence on the 
 feelings, especially in those places from which a panoramic view 
 of the low country and its misty towns, is distinctly visible as 
 the morning vapours pass away. ' There is, indeed, a wide field 
 for the naturalist, whether his taste may lead him to entomology, 
 ornithology, geology, mineralogy, or botany, and the bracing air 
 of the mountain cannot but renovate a frame enervated by the 
 cares and troubles of a city life. Now that facilities are afibrded 
 for speedy communication with Richmond and Penrith, it is 
 probable that many favoured spots on the mountains, will become 
 places of fashionable resort for invalids and tourists, and increased 
 exertions will be encouraged for the development of the natural 
 resources of these beautiful regions. In treating on such 
 subjects, however, one is painfully reminded of the shortness of 
 life, and the trifling amount of knowledge which any individual, 
 how accomplished soever he may be, can acquire. It was said of 
 a distinguished general of antiquity, that although he was cut off" 
 in the prime of life, yet so far as the glory of his actions was 
 concerned, he had indeed passed through a very long course. In 
 civil and military affairs this may be regarded as figuratively 
 true, but in matters of science, in which the progress is slow and 
 tedious, and each step makes a man more and more sensible of 
 the worlds which yet remain to be conquered, he may indeed 
 attain a reputation for the importance of his discoveries, and the 
 brilliancy of his acquirements ; but, after all, he must be fully 
 aware, with the greatest of modern philosophers, that an ocean of 
 truth rolls undiscovered before 'him. What, however, one indi- 
 vidual may fail to accomplish, may be effected to a certain extent 
 by the combined exertions of many ; and hence arises the vast 
 importance of concentrating the efforts of genius, and bringing 
 them to bear unitedly on any branch of art or science. It would 
 
BLUE MOUNT jLINS. 181 
 
 occupy too much space to follow up this idea, and to show how 
 much lustre would be reflected on any Grovernment w^hich afforded 
 facilities for making observations, and collecting specimens of 
 natural history in all parts ofthis vast continent. In the present 
 state of affairs, the prospect is not very cheering ; but, having 
 firm faith in the future, I feel assured that out of the chaotic 
 elements around us, a melior ordo will yet arise. 
 
 Note — Not far from Tomah, I discovered a new species of Xanthosia, 
 and also particular attention was directed to an interesting shrub of the 
 LoranihacecBf formerly called Nut/isia, but now referred to a new genus 
 {Atkinsonia) . This diffei-s from most of the order in being terrestrial^ and 
 not parasitical. It is also hexandrous. Some interesting species of orchids 
 (of Dendrolium, JBolhophyllum, Sarchochilus, &c.,) were collected on the Blue 
 Mountains, by Miss Atkinson, and also amongst cryptogamous plants, Lep- 
 topteris Fraseri, Tnchomanes angustatinn, Asphnium falcatum, A. prcemorsum, 
 A. attemiatum, and Pter'ts umhrosa. The same lady, likewise, collected speci- 
 mens of Gi/mnostachi/s anceps, Sympliyonema montanum, Dampie^ra purpurea, 
 D. ovalifolia, Ooodenia decurrens, and Velleia perfoliata. The new genus 
 Atkinsonia was established in honour of Miss Atkinson, whose exertions 
 have been so successful in developing the vegetable resources of the Blue 
 Mountains. (Fragmenta vol. o) 
 
 -#-♦- 
 
 CULTIVATION OF WHEAT. 
 
 A friend who has had much experience in the flour trade, has 
 lately called my attention to a plant, allied to the trefoil 
 genus, which in some parts of the colony grows amongst the 
 wheat, and imparts an aromatic flavour to the flour. On exami- 
 nation, I find that the plant is Melilotus parviflora. It has the 
 appearance of a trefoil, having small yellow flowers and trifoliate 
 leaves, but it differs from that genus in having the legume longer 
 than the calyx, and the flowers arranged in loose racemes. In 
 Don's work, an allied species {M. arvensis) is described as 
 indigenous in G-ermany, and growing amongst corn ; but in the 
 additional supplement to Loudon's " Encyclopaedia," it is men- 
 tioned as a native of England in sandy places, and also appearing 
 
182 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 in corn. There can be no doubt but tliat M. parviflora has been 
 introduced into Australia from the south of Europe, probably in 
 the early days of the colony, with seed wheat. The plant, 
 especially in a dry state, is exceedingly fragrant, and the perfume 
 is agreeable, but when flour has become impregnated with it, 
 the consequences are anything but pleasant ; for the bread made 
 from such flour has an aromatic, or somewhat medicinal taste which 
 soon renders it unpalatable. It does not appear that there is 
 anything deleterious in the plant, or that any evil eftects arise 
 from eating bread flavoured by it ; but as a matter of expediency 
 farmers should keep their fields as free as possible from this 
 Melllotus, lest their wheat should' be regarded as of inferior 
 quality. Wherever it has become troublesome, the agriculturist 
 would do well to let the ground lie fallow for a season, and tben 
 destroy the young plants before they seed. By this course, or 
 should the operation be regarded too tedious, by adopting what 
 in England is called " a green fallow" (that is where the land is 
 rendered suitable, and clear from weeds by some green crop), the 
 fields may be prepared for wheat, and benefit will arise from the 
 change. It is advisable, also, that care be taken in procuring good 
 seed wheat, or the evil may be perpetuated notwithstanding every 
 precaution. Fallowing, under any circumstances, is an impor- 
 tant operation, but especially so when injurious weeds have 
 appeared amongst the crops ; and. I cannot help thinking that 
 when the Jewish legislator determined that the land should enjoy 
 its Sabbaths, he had some reference to the inconvenience of 
 exhausting the soil by continual crops, as well as to those more 
 important reasons mentioned in Exodus xxiii., 11. 
 
 The genus Mclilotus derives its name from onel, honey, and lotus, 
 because many of the species are similar to the lotus, and are much 
 esteemed by bees. One sj)ecies (Ji". officinalis) has had its re- 
 putation in medicine, but it is known principally from the flavour 
 which it imparts to the Gruyere cheese, and it is said that, not- 
 withstanding the strong smell of the plant, and its bitter, acrid 
 taste, it does not appear to be disagreeable to any kind of cattle. 
 In former times it was cultivated as food for horses and cows, 
 but at present it is not used for that purpose. 
 
 Whilst writing on this subject, I may allude to another plant 
 wHich grows amongst wheat and barley, and is decidedly noxious, 
 
CULTIVATION OF WHEAT. 183 
 
 viz., LoUtim temulentum or the bearded darnel. Perhaps the bad 
 eiFects of this grass may have been exaggerated, but, according to 
 the best authorities, it acts as a narcotic-acrid poison, and there- 
 fore, is much more to be dreaded than any melilot. Instances 
 have been recorded of persons being intoxicated by eating the 
 bread in which the seeds of the darnel have been ground up 
 with the wheat, and it is reported that even fatal convulsions 
 have arisen from a similar cause. In Knight's Encyclopaedia, it 
 is stated : " According to Christison, darnel when mixed with 
 flour and made into bread, has been known to produce headache, 
 giddiness, somnolency, delirium, convulsions, paralysis, and even 
 death. A few years ago, the same author tells us, almost the 
 whole of Sheffield workhouse were attacked with symptoms sup- 
 posed to be produced by their oatmeal having been accidently 
 adulterated with loUum ; and a case is on record of a small farmer 
 near Poictiers in France, having killed himself by persevering in 
 the use of darnel flour for making bread ; his wife and servant, 
 who discontinued to eat it, escaped, but were violently aflected by 
 vomiting and purging." There seems to be every probability 
 that this darnel or rye-grass is the " tare" of the New Testament. 
 The original word in St. Matthew is zizanion, a word not found 
 in any Greek author ; but the fact that a plant exists, called by 
 the Spaniards zizanion, and by the Arabs siimn, similar in every 
 respect to darnel, has induced modern commentators to conclude 
 that the " tare" mentioned in the parable is lolium temulentum. 
 The same word also may be traced in the Kabbinical word zinin, 
 which means hybrid wheat. Yolney, in alluding to the frequent 
 occurrence of this weed in Palestine and Syria, says, " The 
 peasants of these countries, lest they should lose a single grain 
 of the corn, do not cleanse away the seeds of the weeds from it, 
 and often leave the rye-grass, in Arabic called siican amongst it, 
 which stuns people, and makes them giddy for some hours." 
 That this is really the " tare" of the Testament, is confirmed by 
 the fact that until the wheat is in the ear, the darnel is so much 
 like it as to be easily mistaken for it ; and also by the remarkable 
 custom preserved even to modern times, that both wheat and 
 darnel are suflered to grow together until harvest, when, as in the 
 days of old, the tares are bound in bundles to burn them, whilst 
 the wheat is gathered into the barn ! 
 
184 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 The vast importance of this subject should induce agriculturists 
 to direct their attention to the best method of extirpating these 
 noxious weeds. I am not aware that the melilot has been much 
 noticed in England, for a late writer simply remarks that M. 
 arvensis is found in waste places in Cambridgeshire ; and doubt- 
 less, if it did appear too frequently in the wheat fields of the 
 mother country, the improved system of farming, and the pro- 
 verbial diligence of the British agriculturist, would soon devise 
 some means to remedy the evil. It would be an indivious task 
 to point out those farms in the colony which are becoming almost 
 valueless from the prevalence of melilot, or to mention particularly 
 those cultivators whose wheat is regarded with suspicion, from 
 the mixture of noxious or unpleasant weeds with it ; but I think 
 that the cultivation of wheat is a matter so seriously affecting 
 the interests of the whole community, that the Agricultural 
 Society would confer a benefit on the colony by inquiring 
 whether something may not be done for those districts in which 
 the melilot has spread. 
 
 iNoTE. — M. parrijlorn may be rcaclilj known by its peculiar scent, but the 
 following is the general description : — "Stem ascending, branches spreading, ; 
 lower leaflets obovate-roundish, entire ; upper ones oblong, obsoletely toothed ; 
 stipnlas linear setaceous ; flowers very minute, in dense spikes; teeth of calyx 
 nearly equal, broad ; wings about eqxial in length to the vcxillum and carina ; 
 legume ovate, rugged from lacunae, yellowish green, one-seeded ; seeds ovoid, 
 adhering to the legume, bay coloured, rugged from dots." This plant is said 
 to be indigenous in Barbary, Italy, and France, but it seems to spread very 
 rapidly, wherever the climate is similar to tbat of Southern Europe. Aus- 
 tralia is well adapted to its growth, and unless means be devised to prevent 
 the evil, it will become an intolerable nuisance in this colony. 
 
 THE BOTANY OF ASH ISLAND. 
 
 (1862.) 
 
 A SH Island, in the River Hunter, contains about 3000 acres of 
 
 land. Parts of it are low and marshy, and hence in addition 
 
 to j3^(jiceras fragrans and Avicomia tomentosa, which grow in the 
 
 salt water, and are popularly termed "Mangroves," many Cheno- 
 
 podiaceous plants abound in it, of which the genera Atriplex, 
 
ASS ISLAND. 185 
 
 Wiagodia^ Salicornia^ and Ghenopodium are duly represented. 
 Tetragonia, or what is called New Zealand spinach, is also 
 indigenous on the island, and Portulaca, another succulent herb, 
 is found here, as in other parts of the colony. As a considerable 
 portion of the island is now cleared, and under cultivation, many 
 of the larger trees have disappeared. Three distinct species of 
 Eucalyptus still remain, which appear to be identical with those 
 growing in this neighbourhood, viz. — Flooded gum, Grrey gum, 
 and Woolly-but. The tree which gives its name to the island 
 is a species of .^ZcBoc«rpw« {E. obovatus), called "ash." This is 
 a much finer tree than our E. cyaneus. Gasuarina paludosa, or the 
 swamp oak, Elceodendrum Australe, two species of Acronychia, 
 two species of Gupania, Achras Australis, and Eupomatia lawina, 
 grow on the island. Most of these occur in other parts of the 
 colony, but A. Baueri and C. anacardioides belong more properly 
 to the northern districts. The species of Groton appears similar 
 to that at the Kurrajong, and the jasmine {J. gracile), which is 
 so beautiful and fragrant that it cannot escape even a casual 
 observer, is similar to the plant growing on Mount Tomah. The 
 species of Acacia do not exceed three or four, and they are not 
 diiferent from those of the Parramatta district, but the olive {Olea 
 paniculata), and an interesting myrtle, do not occur here. "With 
 respect to the latter tree, which is now very scarce on the island, 
 I may mention that my learned friend Dr. F. Mueller has 
 described it under the name of M. Tozeri in his Fragmenta, in 
 honour of Mr. Tozer, of Port Macquarie, but he expresses some 
 doubt as to whether this is really a new species, as there is a pro- 
 bability that that tree has already been described in Don, by the 
 name Nelitris psidioides. It appears that it was found at the 
 Brisbane by Dr. Mueller and Mr. Hill, and at the Clarence and 
 Hastings by Dr. Beckler. Perhaps the most interesting tree on 
 the island, botanically speaking, is a species of Scolopia, as it is 
 but little known and belongs to a family not well represented in 
 Australia. Nearly all the BixinecB, belong to the hottest parts 
 of the world, particularly the East and West Indies. In former 
 years the red and white cedar may have flourished on the island, 
 (Gedrela toona and Melia composita), but at the present time 
 there are not any of much size. The Pine or Podocarpus elongata 
 is a graceful tree, and the wood is much esteemed. At Manly 
 
186 ' A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 and in some of our creeks to tlie north of Parramatta, I have 
 noticed a diminutive spreading shrub of this genus, which appears 
 to be a distinct species. Of Alpliitonia excelsa, or the mountain 
 ash, I found some small trees. This occurs on the Big Hill, at the 
 Kurrajong, and, on account of its foliage, it is well worthy of 
 cultivation. Two species of Melaleuca {M. stypJieloides and M. 
 genistlfolia) grow in swampy places, and the same species of 
 Fittosporum that are found in the neighbourhood of Sydney ; whilst 
 I was suprised to find two species of Moms (31. calcar-galli and 
 M. Brunoniana) flourishing on Ash Island, identical with those 
 of the Native Vineyard, although it must be added that they 
 seem somewhat stunted in the latter place. The leguminous tree 
 Fithecolohium prulnosum, is a tiandsome plant, and as it does not 
 appear to be in this part of the colony, it is worthy of consider- 
 ation from the practical gardener. The remaining trees of the 
 island are principally Glochidion Australe, JEvodia micrococca, Exo- 
 carpus cupressifor7nis, Dodoncea salicifoUa, a fine species of Ficus, 
 and a rutaceous tree of the genus Geijera. With the exception of 
 the last, these trees occur also in the Parramatta district. Geijera 
 is described by Endlicher as a tropical tree not well known, but 
 I have found it as far south as Cobbity. It is a handsome tree, 
 with spreading branches, large lanceolate leaves, and panicles of 
 small white flowers. Mr. Scott has remarked that the larvae of 
 certain butterflies are found on this tree ; and on a recent occa- 
 sion I noticed in the Native vineyard several trees much injured 
 by the ravages of insects, probably similar to those observed 
 by Mr. Scott. The papilionaceous flowers of Ash Island belong 
 principally to Indigofera^ Swainsona, and Kennedia ; but it is 
 reported that several which formerly flourished there have disap- 
 peared in the progress of cultivation. The native gourd {Sicyos 
 angulata), a native passion flower (Disemma Serhertiana) and 
 two species of the Convolvulus family ( Calystegia and Polymeria) 
 are frequently met with in the bush ; whilst the beautiful Ipotncea 
 pendula may be seen hanging on many of the shrubs growing 
 near the river. This is a plant which must be familiar to many 
 of those who visit Manly Beach, as it is plentiful near the Pairy 
 Bower. I did not notice any Cunoniaceous plant on the island, 
 excepting Aphanopetalum resinosum. This shrub, as well as 
 JEowittia trilocularis of the Mallow family, does not occur in the 
 
ASH ISLAND. 187 
 
 Parramatta district, but both of them flourish at the Kurrajong. 
 It was reported to me that the nettle tree (JJi tica gigas) , and 
 also the native poppy {Papaver horridum) have been collected on 
 the island, and Citriobatus is very abundant, attaining a greater 
 size than in some other parts of the colony. The native Bignonia 
 (JJOecoma Australis), and Bipogonum album of the Smilax family, 
 also occur. Of the latter, I have never noticed more than one 
 place on our creeks in which it grows, and after the most diligent 
 search, I have not succeeded in procuring flowering specimens. At 
 Ash Island it is said to flower plentifully. Flagellaria Indica may 
 also be seen climbing up trees to a considerable height. This is 
 a plant of " doubtful affinity," being placed by some writers 
 amongst the JuncacesB, and by others amongst the Commely- 
 naceaa. It is said to derive its name from Flagellum a thong, in 
 allusion to the length, toughness, and slenderness of its shoots. 
 According to the Linnaean system, this plant is placed in the 
 class Hexandria, order triqynia. The flowers are in panicles, and 
 the leaves are cirrhous at the apex. Endlicher mentions this as 
 a tropical plant, and it is also placed by the late Admiral King 
 amongst the plants common in India and South America, as well 
 as in tropical Australia. According to some authorities, the 
 leaves of it are astringent and vulnerary. Of the lily family, I 
 remarked -4rMropoc?m»^, Dianella, Eustrephus, and Geitonoplesiunif 
 but the species appeared to be similar to those of this district. 
 The large white lily ( Crinum pedunculatmn) is also indigenous at 
 Ash Island. With respect to the Orchids, the season was so far 
 advanced that I had not an opportunity of examining them in 
 flower, but, from the very beautiful drawings of Mrs. Forde, 
 and Miss Scott, I ascertained that at least two species of PterO' 
 stylis, and five of Dendrobium grow on the island. Lyonsia 
 straminea is very plentiful, and flowers much more readily than it 
 does in this neighbourhood. Mr. Gr. Suttor has noticed this 
 plant for the last two or three seasons on the creek at Baulkham 
 Hills, and has cultivated it in his garden, but it never flowered 
 until this year. Of the Loranthacese, or mistletoe family, there 
 are several species of Lorantlius, and one of Viscum. From the 
 drawings of Miss Scott, Dr. F. Mueller has determined L. 
 Preissii and L. subfalcatus. These are decidedly diff'erent from 
 any in this neighbourhood, the species here being I4. Gaudichaudif 
 
188 A CONTEIBrTION TO, ETC. 
 
 wbicli grows principally on Melaleuca, L. pendulus, on different 
 species of JEucalyptus, and L. congener, which is found on BanJcsia, 
 Acacia, Eucalyptus, &c. In addition to these, I may mention L. 
 exocarpus, which has been collected on the Murrumbidgee, and 
 Nuytsia ligustrina (not parasitical) which has been noticed on 
 the road to Tomah. The Viscum is said to be " a parasite on a 
 parasite" — that is to say, it has been found on Loranthus. When 
 this was first pointed out to me, I was under an impression that 
 this circumstance had not been previously noticed, but I find 
 that Dr. P. Mueller, with his usual sagacity, has alluded to it in 
 No. 14, of the second volume of his Pragmenta ! Viscum 
 incanum, he says, is found in the branches of Eucalyptus, Anyo- 
 pliora, and other trees, likewise everywhere parasitical on their 
 LorantM, and extending from the vicinity of Twofold Bay to the 
 Eiver Burnett. Of the Yiniferaa, there are three species, two of 
 which {Vitis clematidea, and V. Baudiand) grow near Parra- 
 matta. Of the third, I did not see either flowers or fruits, but 
 from the general character of the plant, its climbing habit, tri- 
 foliate leaves and reported fruit, I think it must be referred to 
 Vitis nitens. These plants are generally called Kangaroo vines, 
 or native grapes ; and I see that Dr. Mueller, in some of his late 
 works, unites with them the genus Vitis. One of the best 
 species in this part of the colony is V. Tiypoglauca, the grape of 
 which has a pleasant acid flavour, and makes good jam. This is 
 described and figured in Dr. Mueller's work on the indigenous 
 plants of Victoria. The pepper family is represented by a species 
 of Feperomia which grows about the roots of trees to the height 
 of two feet and more. The leaves are of an ovate shape, three 
 nerved, ternate, and hairy. Some little time since, my friend 
 Miss Atkinson, found P. refiexa, at the Kurrajong, but that 
 species is much smaller, perfectly glabrous, and the leaves are in 
 a whirl of four. The genus Peperomia has been elaborately de- 
 scribed in the celebrated work " Systema Piperacearum," by 
 Miquel, and it consists of all those plants with a simple stigma, 
 and two stamens, which were formerly included in the genus 
 Piper. Pour species of the pepper family are indigenous at Nor- 
 folk Island, and Dr. P. Mueller mentions two in his botanical 
 report of the North Australian expedition. The peppers, accord- 
 ing to Dr. Lindle^, are exclusively confined to the hottest parts 
 
ASH ISLAND. 189 
 
 of the world, and are extremely common in Tropical America 
 and the Indian Archipelago, The species are very numerous, 
 and some of them difficult to define. Miguel describes nearly 200 
 species of Peperomia alone ! 
 
 There is a caper plant on the island, which interested me very 
 much, as I had never seen it in its native state before. The 
 young plants differ so much from those more advanced, that 
 when the unfortunate Leichhardt visited Ash Island, he thought 
 that they were distinct species. In Sir Thomas Mitchell's Expedi- 
 tions, that writer alludes to a species of caper, either identical with 
 the one in question, or nearly allied to it. In vol. 1, page 287, he 
 says, " On the banks of the river we found, besides the native 
 fires, the remains of a fruit, different from any I had seen before. 
 It seemed to be of a round shape, with a rind like an orange, and 
 the inside, which appeared to have been eaten, resembled a 
 pomegranate." Again, at page 314, he says, " To-day I fell in 
 with a tree, of which I saw but a single specimen during my for- 
 mer journey, and I had observed only a sickly one before during 
 this expedition. It bore a yellow flower, and fruit resembling a 
 small pomegranate, on a hooked stalk. * * * # * 
 I considered this a very remarkable tree, as well from its rare 
 occurrence, as on account of its fruit, of which the natives appear 
 to make some use. ***#**** 
 I was surprised to find many specimens of the tree in the scrub, 
 through which we had previously passed, without observing them. 
 On one plant, we found some fruit apparently full grown but not 
 ripe ; and on others perfect specimens of the last year's crop, 
 including, of course, the seeds. The fruit resembles a small 
 lemon, but has within small nuts or stones, enveloped in a soft 
 pulp, and the whole has an agreeable perfume. "We also found 
 some specimens of the flower, rather faded. * * * My 
 friend Dr. Lindley considers this one of the most interesting 
 plants brought home by me." This plant has been found at the 
 Castlereagh by Mr. C. Lowe, at the Began by Mr. J. Lowe, and 
 near Warwick by Dr. Beckler. In honour of the late Sir T. 
 Mitchell, it has been named Gapparis MitcJiellii. Several tropical 
 species from New Holland are described, and one from New 
 South Wales ((7. canescens), but the last mentioned has white 
 flowers, and the leaves are not smooth, as in the species before us. 
 
190 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 The Goryplia Australis flourishes on Ash Island, and grows to 
 a larger size than it does in some parts of the colony. This is 
 termed " the Cabbage Palm Tree," and it is used in the manu- 
 facture of hats. Clerodendrum tomentosum of the Verbena family 
 grows on the island, also a species of elder (Samhucus Oaudichau- 
 diana?), and a small tree with cork-like bark very similar in Si,^- 
 ■^Q2LV2in.ce to Myoporum, Viz., Duboisia myoporoides. These shrubs 
 are common in many parts of the colony, but as I had not an 
 opportunity of examining a flower of the elder, I feel uncertain 
 about the species. There is a dwarf elder in this neighbourhood, 
 which is probably the same as that mentioned by Sir T. Mitchell, 
 vol. 2, p. 14, as the calyx has tliree sepals, the corolla three 
 petals, the stamens three, and the carpels also three. In con- 
 sequence of these variations from the genus Samhucus, Dr. 
 Lindley named Sir Thomas's plant Tripetelus Australasicus and 
 the description of it may be seen in a note (vol. 2, p. 14). Sir 
 Thomas compares it to the European dwarf elder, but with yellow 
 flowers and fruit with scarcely any pulp. 
 
 With respect to the cryptogamous botany of the island, I must 
 now add a few words, although the intense heat of the weather 
 at the time was very unfavourable for the collecting of 
 mosses, fungi, &c. The species of ferns are about thirteen, but, 
 with one exception, all of them abound in this district. The 
 genus Pteris is represented by the following species, viz., P 
 aquilina, P. tremula, P. vespertilionis, and the allied fern Pellcea 
 falcata, the old Pteris falcata of Brown. In addition to these, I 
 noticed Notlwclcena distans (a small fern with pinnate fronds, 
 pubescent or hairy on both sides) ; Davallia pyxidata (a species 
 frequently growing in company with PI aty cerium, and remarkable 
 for its stout creeping caudex, which is densely clothed with 
 hairy scales) ; Poly podium rugosulvm ; Adiantum assimile, or the 
 maiden hair fern ; two forms or species of Doodia (D. aspera and 
 D. caudatd) ; Asplenium nidus or the bird's nest fern; Platy cerium 
 alcicorne, or the elk's horn fern ; and Polypodium rupestre. The 
 elk's horn grows much larger than in the Parramatta district, and 
 the fronds hang from the forks of trees, but after a careful exam- 
 ination, it appears that the species is the same. Polypodium 
 rupestre is nearly allied to P. confluens of this district, but its 
 name appears somewhat inappropriate, as it climbs trees rather 
 
ASH ISLAJO). 191 
 
 than rocks. I have compared this fern with some specimens of 
 Niphoholus serpens from Norfolk Island, and I believe that the 
 two are mere varieties of one species, the principal difference 
 arising from the quantity of stellate scales or tomentum on the 
 under surface of the frond. I find that Smith in his Genera of 
 Ferns proposes to place P. rupestre in the genus Niphoholus. 
 According to his definition the rhizome of the genus is creeping 
 or csespitose, and the fronds are covered with stellated, sessile, or 
 pedicellate scales or tomentum, rarely smooth. The veins when 
 evident are parallel, combined by transverse parallel venules, 
 and the sori are irregular, and usually confluent. The Ash 
 Island species is smooth, but under a lens the stellate scales may 
 be distinctly seen, and, therefore, I think it must be referred 
 to MpJwhohis. 
 
 Few mosses were to be seen, as the heat of the season had 
 killed most of them ; but, judging from the elegant drawings of 
 Miss Scott^ it appears that the same species of Hi/pnum, Dicranum^ 
 and Jungermannia, prevail in Ash Island as in other parts of the 
 colony. Of lichens, the common forms of JJsnea^ Parmelia, &c., 
 occur ; and of fungi, several species of Polyporus. Miss Scott 
 has also discovered a Spliasria, which appears new and interesting. 
 The species is certainly distinct from the New Zealand Sphoei'ia, 
 or that found near Mount Tomah by Miss Atkinson. It is to be 
 hoped that not merely drawings, but specimens also, preserved in 
 alcohol, may be forwarded to the great master of cryptogamous 
 botany, the Rev M. J, Berkeley, that the Spliceria may be com- 
 pared with those from other parts of the world. 
 
 In concluding this sketch of the Botany of Ash Island, I feel 
 that it is in some respects deficient, as it would require several 
 visits at different seasons of the year to give a proper list of the 
 plants. It is highly probable that some of the species which for- 
 merly flourished in the island, have been destroyed in the process 
 of clearing, and others (especially some composite plants not 
 mentioned in this communication) have been introduced. How- 
 ever, it is interesting to notice, even from the imperfect investi- 
 gation made during a short visit, that in the same spot there are 
 plants growing together, which have a very wide, and in some 
 instances, a different geographical range. Thus, whilst some of 
 the plants connect the vegetation of the island, with the subtro- 
 
192 A CONTEIBTJTION' TO, ETC. 
 
 pical regions of Australia, there are others which are associated 
 with the botany of the Blue Mountains and lUawarra. Amongst 
 the plants collected by Mrs, Forde and Miss Scott, are Nephelium 
 leiocarpum^ Dodoncea angustifolia (capindacese), Celastrus Gun- 
 ninQhami, (Celastracese), Myoporum acuminatum (Myoporacese), 
 species of Morinda, Opercularia and Canthium, {^Bubiacece) Achras 
 Australis, (Sapotacese) ; Panax elegans (Araliacese), Cargilliapenta- 
 mera (EbenacesB), Parietariadehilis (Urticsicead), Stercidia diver si- 
 folia (SterculiacesB), Deeringia celosioides (Amarantacese), eight 
 orchids, including SarcJiochilus falcatus, twenty-three species of 
 Grasses, and seventeen of ferns, all of which are to be found near 
 Sydney. From a list prepared a few years since by Mrs. Eorde, 
 (after I had visited the island and examined the vegetable produc- 
 tions, as well as many dried specimens which had been collected and 
 prepared by that lady and her sister), I could furnish the names of 
 almost all the plants then growing on Ash Island, but I think it 
 unnecessary to enumerate those species w^hich are common in 
 the colony. 
 
 PLANTS ON THE BARLING 
 
 I 
 
 N the latter part of 1865, and the first five months of 1866, 
 when the late E. Eorde Esq., (a gentleman no less admired 
 for his amiable disposition, than distinguished for his scientific 
 attainments,) was engaged with a party in surveying the Lower 
 Darling, I had the pleasure to receive from Mrs. Eorde some 
 interesting specimens of plants, which that accomplished lady 
 had collected for me whilst accompanying her much lamented 
 husband in his expedition up the river. Having recently seen some 
 elegant drawings of indigenous plants from that quarter, which 
 were executed by Mrs. Eorde with a view of illustrating the 
 " Elora of the Darling," I have been reminded of the valuable 
 specimens forwarded to me some time since, and I propose, with 
 
THE filTEB DAELINCJ. 193 
 
 a view of placing on record thp services rendered by that lady, to 
 make some observations on the subject. The fortitude with 
 which Mrs. Forde encountered the difficulties of the expedition, 
 and the melancholy circumstances which deprived the colony of 
 an able and efficient officer, attach peculiar interest to the collec- 
 tion ; and one cannot help regretting that the breaking up of the 
 party prevented the further prosecution of an object which had 
 been so auspiciously commenced, and which, if perseveringly 
 carried on during the progress up the river, would have tended 
 to develop the vegetable resources of the Darling. Owing to 
 the long continued drought which had prevailed, the season was 
 rather unfavourable for collecting specimens of plants, as every 
 thing appeared stunted in its growth, and many of the delicate 
 species seemed to struggle for existence. The previous year 
 (1864) had been favourable for vegetation, for whilst the dead 
 stems of Lavatera plebeia of the Mallow family measured upwards 
 of five feet, the living ones did not exceed a foot. A similar 
 remark was applicable to other plants, nor can such a state of 
 things be wondered at, when we are assured that at the period to 
 which I refer, " it was quite impossible to find a moist place on 
 the Darling, everything being dry, parched and burnt up, whilst 
 the ground was cracked in all directions with deep fissures." 
 This circumstance accounts for the large number of composite 
 plants when compared with the rest of the collection, and also 
 for the small proportion of grasses ; for whilst the former can 
 endure a great amount of heat as well as of aridity, the latter 
 require the genial influence of moisture to render them available. 
 Persons inhabiting cooler climates, where the fertilising showers 
 descend in their appointed seasons, can form but little idea of 
 the desolating results of long continued drought, especially when 
 the thermometer has been known to stand as high as 130 degrees 
 in the shade, and nearly 160 degrees in the sun, occasioning an 
 evaporation of water at the rate of an inch per day. This 
 occurred to Captain Sturt, 118 miles from the Darling. It 
 might be imagined that under circumstances so unfavourable, 
 vegetation would be at an end ; but the fact is, that many Aus- 
 tralian plants seem peculiarly adapted to withstand the influence 
 of drought, and to exist by the aid of very little moisture. Thus, 
 for instance, the beautiful " Desert pea" {Clianthus Bam^ieri), 
 
194 A COTTTBI-BrTIO^r TO, ETC. 
 
 many species of the "native fuclisia" {Eremophila)^ the simple 
 leaved cassise, some few species of acacia, and a host of composites 
 and salt bushes, may meet the eye of the traveller even in the 
 driest seasons ; whilst in the immediate vicinity of the river, as 
 the late Sir T. Mitchell found on more than one occasion, many 
 species of grass occur which are perennial and nutritious. 
 " Grass," remarks that eminent explorer, " is only to be found 
 on the banks of the river, and, strictly speaking, the margin only 
 can be considered alluvial, for this being irrigated and enriched by 
 the floods, it is everywhere abundantly productive of grass, 
 though none appears in the back country." And again he sayp, 
 *' of grasses 1 gathered seeds of twenty-five diff'erent kinds, six of 
 which grew only on the alluvial bank of the Darling. * * * 
 The country was nevertheless almost bare, and the roots, stems, 
 and seeds, the products of a former season, were blown about on 
 the soft face of the parched and naked earth, where the last 
 spring seemed, indeed, to have produced no vegetation, except a 
 thin crop of an umbelliferous weed." * These considerations 
 will throw some light on the specimens to be examined, and serve 
 to explain the anomaly of finding, even in such a season as 18G5, 
 objects of an interesting character to the botanist. 
 
 The leguminous plants collected during the expedition are the 
 following: — (1.) Papilionacece \ Temyletonia egena ^ Trigonella sua- 
 vissima, Lotus Australis, Fsoralea jpatens and P. erianiha, Seslania 
 aculeata, Glijcyrrhiza psoraleqides, Clianthus Dampieri, iSwainso7ia 
 Greyana, and >S. Placoides ; (2.) Caesalpinece : Cassia Stiiriii, and 
 C. eremophila ; and (3.) Mhnosece : Acacia sentis, and A. salicina. 
 Templetonia egena is a tall leafless shrub, very similar to some 
 species o^Bossicea in the neighbourhood of Sydney, and Trigonella 
 suavissima, which is figured amongst Dr. F. Mueller's lithograms, is 
 a small annual of the Trefoil kind, with minute yellow flowers 
 
 * Amongst the umbelliferous plrmts of the Darling, there are three e-pecijilly 
 mentioned by iNIitelu-ll. and one by Dr. F. Mueller (Dimeiopia cijanopetalii), 
 but that which abounds in good siasons, and is u)ueh reli.-hed bv cattle, is a 
 eVccies of i>irfMfM.9, generally called "Carrot." 'ihe common Portv In ca, or 
 Pigweed grows luxuriantly over some places near tlie fi'ontage of the rivt r. and 
 the party fuund it a m'^st acccptjihle addition to their meals. The so-calkd 
 " New Zealand Spinach." {2\ti-a<j> n'a expansa) covered the whole ixtent of the 
 red sand hills after the heavy autumn rams. It goes by the name of '" War- 
 re«al Cabbage," among the settlers, and is undoubtedly indigenous on the 
 Darling. The fruit ol' Sol anum emriale, a plant nearly allied to the Kangaroo 
 apple, is eaten by the blacks. 
 
THE EIYER DAELING. 195 
 
 in sessile clusters. It is remarkable from the fact tliat " the per- 
 fume of the herb, its freshness and flavour," induced Sir Thomas 
 Mitchell to trj it as a vegetable, and that he found it " delicious, 
 tender as spinach, and preserving a very green colour when 
 boiled." Sir Thomas gathered this interesting plant in the dry- 
 bed of a tributary to the Darling, probably under circumstances 
 similar to those in which the late survey party was placed. He 
 regarded it as a new form of A ustralian vegetation, resembling that 
 of the South of Europe, and called it " The Australian Sham- 
 rock." Lotus Australis is one of those plants which has a very 
 wide distribution in Australia, and is regarded as being highly 
 injurious to sheep and cattle. It looks very much like some of 
 the European species, called " Bird's Foot Trefoils." The two 
 species of Psoralsa have small bluish flowers, and although not 
 ornamental, they are interesting as being closely allied to the 
 African plant 1*. pUcata. P. Unax (collected by Mitchell) is 
 remarkable for the extreme toughness of its flower stalks, which 
 cannot be broken without difiiculty. Sesbania aculeata is an 
 erect shrub with small yellow flowers, and leaves consisting of 
 forty or fifty pairs of leaflets. Glycyrrhiza psoraleoides belongs 
 to a genus near the liquorice of commerce, and as it is well 
 figured amongst Dr. F. Mueller's lithograms, it may easily be 
 recognised by its small muricated pods. The " Desert pea," or 
 CUantkiis Dampierl, is one of our most admired flowers, and 
 during the .ast dry season it was most successfully cultivated in the 
 neighbourhood of Sydney and Parramatta. Swainsona Greyana 
 is also worthy of cultivation, although, from the deleterious pro- 
 perties which it is known to possess, it is no great favourite with 
 the squatters on the Darling. The flowers are large and pink, 
 and the calyx densely cottony white, from which peculiarity it 
 may be easily distinguished from the other species. On the Dar- 
 ling, this is called " the Poison Pea," and it is reported to cause 
 madness, if not death itself, to horses. The poison seems to act 
 on the brain, for animals afl'ected by it obstinately refuse to cross 
 even a small twig lying in their path, probably imagining it to be 
 a great log. Sometimes the poor creatures attempt to climb 
 trees, or commit other eccentricities, Mrs. Forde in waiting 
 from the Darling, says — " This plant is regarded with horror up 
 here, but yet it is very pretty, and reminds m3 strongly of /S. 
 
19B A CONTEIBIJTION TO, ETC. 
 
 coromllo'foUa.^' S. phacoides is a smaller plant, Tvith purple 
 flowers, and occurs near Bat^urst, as well as farther in the 
 interior. 
 
 The composite plants of the collection, though not distin- 
 guished by any peculiar beauty are numerous. Many species 
 are of a dry and course texture, and resemble what are popu- 
 larly termed " everlasting flowers." It might be easily imagined 
 that such plants can stand a great amount of heat,;and that they 
 can exist long after the grasses have perished, ' In a former 
 collection from a friend residiug on the Darling I received speci- 
 mens of Helipterum poli/galifolium^^II. flor^ihundum, Senecio Can- 
 ninghami, S. Gregorii, and Myrioceplialus Stuartii, but Mrs. Forde 
 has added many to the list, some of which, although found in 
 other parts of Australia, were not previously noticed on the 
 Darling. I believe the following a tolerably correct list of these 
 plants : — Helipterum Stuartianum, H. corymliflorum^ HelicJirysum 
 hracteatum, H. apiculatum, Craspedia Bichea^ C. pleiocephala, 
 Minuaria leptophylla, Myriogyne minuta^ Epaltes australis, Gna- 
 phalium indutum, Helipterum hyalospermum, A?igiantJms pusillus, 
 Helipterum moschatmrij Calotis cuneifilia, C. scapigera, Ixiolcena 
 tomentosa, Vittadinia scabra, Senecio Cunninghami, Butidosis lieli- 
 cJuysoides, Olearia pimeleoides, MyriocephaluslStuartii. Of these 
 twenty-one composites, only six occur on this side of the Blue 
 Mountains — three of which are of a bright yellow colour, one is 
 somewhat similar to plants of the daisy kind, and two, although 
 they have inconspicuous flowers, are remarkable for the pungent 
 quality of their leaves when bruised. Only five in the list appear 
 amongst the composites in " Mitchell's Tropical Australia," and 
 two {i*olycaly}nma and Myriogyne^ are elegantly figured in Dr. F. 
 Mueller's lithograms. I find also that Gregory, when in search 
 of Dr. Leichhardt and his party along and " near Cooper's 
 Eiver and its tributaries in Sub-central Australia" (lvS58), col- 
 lected specimens of Monencyanthcs gnaphalioides and Senecio 
 Gregorii, and that in the same year Mr. Babbage, in his expedi- 
 tion into the North-western interior of South Australia, noticed 
 Myriogyne Cunninghami, Chrysocoryne angianthoides, Folycalymma 
 Stuartii J Craspedia pleiocephala, Monencyanthes gnaphalioides, Ixio- 
 lcena tomentosa, Helichrysum opiculatum and Senecio Gregorii, all 
 of which appear, though with some of the names changed, in Mrs. 
 
THE EIVEB DAELING. 197 
 
 Forde's list. For these facts, as well as for tlie determination of 
 some of the difficult species, T am indebted to the kindness of 
 my distinguished friend, Dr. F. Mueller. To the general observer, 
 most of these composites present very little interest, and, perhaps, 
 a few of them are looked upon as troublesome weeds ; but, re- 
 garded in a scientific point of view, they throw much light on the 
 character of the soil where they abound, and also demonstrate 
 their peculiar adaptation to seasons of unusual aridity. 
 
 Of the Mallow family I have the following species: — Gos- 
 sypium Sturtli, Hlhlscus Sturtii, Sida petrophila, Lavatera pleheia, 
 and Ahutilon otocarpum. The first of these, which is called 
 " Sturt's Desert Eose," is an ornamental shrub of several feet in 
 height, with large showy purple flowers, dark in the centre, and 
 worthy of cultivation. It is nearly allied to the cotton of com- 
 merce, but the seeds are only sparingly and shortly woolly. The 
 native cotton in Northern Australia belongs to another genus 
 {Fugosia), and has seeds more woolly than those of Sturts* Desert 
 Kose. Amongst Mrs. Forde's specimens were some seeds of the 
 " South Australian Cotton" {F. hakeafolid). Mitchell found this, 
 or an allied species, (Tropical Australis, p. 64), and Dr. Mueller 
 also noticed it near Lake Torrens in 1851. Gossypium Sturtii 
 occurs as far south as the Barrier range. Hibiscus Sturtii is a 
 more rigid shrub, covered with whitish tomentum. The leaves 
 are broadly ovate, thick, and soft, and the flowers much smaller 
 than in the preceding species, varying in colour from )yhite to 
 pink. Sida petropliila resembles, in some respects, the little aS'. 
 corrugata, which belongs to this part of the colony as well as to the 
 interior, but instead of being a small prostrate plant, it is a shrub 
 three or four feet high. Lavatera pleheia is a shrubby plant, 
 attaining sometimes the height of ten feet. The flowers are of a 
 pale rose colour or whitish. According to Dr. F. Mueller, this 
 plant can be used medicinally, and is eligible for the manufacture 
 of paper. Ahutilon otocarpum is similar in character to S. petro- 
 pJiila, and prevails in barren places. The flowers, however, are 
 somewhat larger, and the petals ciliated towards the base. 
 
 The CrucifercB are represented by Blennodia lasiocarpa and 
 Nasturtium palustre ; the latter, which grows on the banks of the 
 Nepean, is sometimes called " Native Cabbage ;" and of the Zggo- 
 phyllea, Nitraria Schoheri, ZygopJiyllum Billardieriy and Tribulus 
 
198 A CONTEIBrTION TO, ETC. 
 
 terrestris occur. The last is a prostrate weed, common in 
 Southern Europe, Africa, and Southern Asia. In Dr. Mueller's 
 splendid work on " The Indigenous plants of A^ictoria," there 
 are figures of Nitraria and Zygophyllum, which give a good idea 
 of the order to which they belong. Of the Pittosporaceop-, Mrs. 
 Forde collected specimens of the graceful Plttosporum philli/' 
 roBoides, and of the Phytolaccece, the rare Codonocarpus cotlnifolius. 
 This is mentioned by Mitchell under the name of Gyrostemon^ 
 and its leaves resemble horse radish or turnip in taste. The 
 present specimen was gathered near Perry, and it was reported 
 to be a scarce tree, only two individuals being known on the run 
 of Mr. Carstairs. The bark is described " as very smooth, and 
 of a pale salmon colour, the branches long and straight, and the 
 leaves when bruised smelling like fresh turnips." A full descrip- 
 tion of this tree is given in Dr. Mueller's work on the "Indigenous 
 Plants of Victoria," ijito which it seems Codonocarpus extends. 
 Glinus lotoides, TriantJiema crystallina {Tetrayoniacece), Halorayis 
 glauca, (found also by Mitchell), and Myriophyllum verrucosum, 
 (^Halorayece) , as well as Banunculus riviilaris, (of the buttercup 
 family), and Dodoncea attenuata (Sapindacece), were found near 
 Perry. The pretty little Erythrcea Austrnlis, is identical with 
 that near Sydney, and the Solarium hiforum resembles iS*. stelli- 
 qerum which grows in many parts of the county of Cumberland. 
 Loranthus celastroides, one of the native mistletoes, appears dif- 
 ferent from any species near Sydney, but its structure may be 
 understood by studying the allied species figured in Dr. Mueller's 
 lithograms, as also may that of the little cucurbit ZeJineria mi- 
 crantJia, which is an interesting plant of a very small order in 
 Australia. The species of the Goodenia family appear to be G. 
 JlageUifera, G. coronopifolia, G. geniculata, and S ;avLla spinescens, 
 and the Labiates, Ajuga Amtralis (very common in Australia), 
 Teucrium racemosum, and the " Native mint," {Mentha Australis). 
 To these I may add the pretty little heliotrope {Helioiropium 
 curassavicum) , the blue flowering Morgania glabra, and one of our 
 native cherries {Exocarpus opliylla). But perhaps some of the 
 most admired shrubs are those of the Myo^orum family, viz., M. 
 'platycarpwm, M. dulce, and four species of Eremophila, {E. Siurtii, 
 E. polyclada, E. macuhta, and E. longi/olia). For a beautiful 
 figure of E. hiynomjljra, we are indebted to the ability of Dr. 
 
THE EIVEIl DABLING. 199 
 
 Mueller. By studylug the parts of that flower, as exhibited in the 
 sectional drawings of the figure in his " Lithograms," we shall 
 understand the peculiar character of the genus EremopliiJa, and 
 be assisted in recognising the species wherever we may see them. 
 Of the Euphorhiacece, Mrs. Forde noticed E. cJiamcesyce and 
 Fh/llantlius lacunarius, and one singular Proteaceous shrub Cre- 
 villea rif/idissma, which is also figured amongst Dr Mueller's 
 lithograms. Trichinium Pressii of the Amarantus family, and 
 Muchlenheckia CunningJiami, formerly of the Polygonum genus, do 
 not occur in the neighbourhood of Sydney, but Alternanthera 
 denticulata, Polygonum gracile, P. aviculare, and Rumrxjimlriatus 
 are identical with the same species as found growing almost every- 
 where. (^MuchlenhecJcia , is the same as Polygonum junceum, which 
 forms what are termed " lignum scrubs," and constitutes a very 
 characteristic feature of the country.) The same remark is ap- 
 plicable to the little Anguillaria dioica, which is common in the 
 spring of the year. Amaryllis Austrafasica and Calosfemma 
 luteum of the Amaryllis family, must appear very beautiful when 
 growing in their native wilds. The allied plant C. candidum was 
 seen near the Kamoi by Mitchell, who says that the whole 
 country was covered with it, and appeared like a flowery desert. 
 The only cryptogamous plants which appear to have been 
 gathered during the expedition, were the " Nardoo" {Marsilea 
 hirsuta), now rendered memorable by the sad fate of Burke and 
 Wills, and a fern {Nephrodiiim molle) procured from the Murray 
 Clifts near Blanch Town. A variety of nardoo may be found in 
 marshy ground, not more than twenty or thirty miles from 
 Sydney, but the leaves are smaller and not so hairy. The fern is 
 evidently similar to that growing at the North Shore, although 
 the frond is diminutive and somewhat harsher in its texture, 
 arising from the difference of soil and temperature. 
 
 I have reserved the consideration of the salt bushes and the 
 grasses for the conclusion of my paper, and I have placed them 
 in connection with each other as being equally important to the 
 grazing interests of the colony. In many parts of the interior, 
 where from the nature of the soil or the dryness of the season, 
 the grasses afford a very inadequate pasture for cattle, the Cheno- 
 podiaceeB supply the place of that order, and the species are so 
 numerous that probably no other pait of the world can produce a 
 
200r A CONTEIBIJTION TO, ETC. ] 
 
 more varied stock of them,. The plants best known as salt 
 "bushes are Rhagodia paraholica and R. hastata, and it has been 
 found by experiment that the leaves of them contain as much as 
 a twentieth part of salt. On these and some allied species, sheep 
 and cattle delight to feed, and they are not only kept in the 
 best condition by such plants, but they are prevented from the 
 pernicious habit of licking clay, which eventually is highly pre- 
 judicial to them. In the passage from Wentvvorth to Perry, 
 the following species were collected : Atriplex mummulariana^ 
 A. spongiosa, Kocliia sedjfolia, K. hrachyptera, and K. lanosa, but 
 it is probable that other species might have been found a little 
 further from the river, as Mr. Gr. Suttor forwarded to me some 
 time since from his station a little higher up, specimens of A. 
 reniformis, A» infiata, K. Brownii K. brevifolia, and RJiagodia 
 parabolica. In Sir Thomas Mitchell's " Three Expeditions into the 
 interior of Australia," that writer mentions two new species of 
 the order {Atriplex Salimoides and Scleiolosnahicornis),})^^}! 
 his " Tropical Australia," he refers to fourteen diiferent species, 
 and dwells particularly on th'e vast importance of such plants to 
 the well being of sheep and cattle in the interior. I have re- 
 ceived specimens of salt bushes from the Castlereagh and the 
 Macquarie similar to many of those enumerated, and not very 
 long since, eight species from one station, several of which espe- 
 cially Atriplex leptocarpa, A. prostrata, I^ncJiylcena tomentosa and 
 Kentropsis cornutay dilier from those collected during the expedi- 
 tion up the Darling. ^N^otwithstanding the unfavourable state of 
 the weather for the growth of grasses, Mrs. Forde collected 
 sixteen species of the order, some of which were growing over 
 the dry beds of the extensive lakes near the river, and forming a 
 luxuriant hay crop. Of this kind, Sporoholus pallidus, Fanicum 
 Jiavidum, CJiloris Mooreei and Stipa flavescens were particularly 
 noticed, as well as a doubtful Poa ; but the grasses generally 
 most nutritious, and distributed most widely on the stations were 
 Anthistiria ciliata (a kangaroo grass), Bromus Australis (an oat 
 grass), and Fanicum decom'positu'm (the umbrella grass). These, 
 in ordinary seasons, afford excellent pasture, and one of them 
 {Bromus) has been cultivated in Europe, and much admired for 
 its nutritious properties. The other species collected were Poa 
 Australis, P. ramigera, P. elegans, Stipa elegantissima, AgrosHs 
 
THE EIYER DAELINa. 201 
 
 oemula, Danthonia pectinata^ Lappago racemosa, Sordeum muriniim, 
 and Alopecitrus geniculatus, many of whicli are more interesting 
 to the systematic botanist than to the grazier. 
 
 An Agrostis, referred by Steudel to Vilfa MifcheUu, is reported 
 to grow best during the months of December, January, and Feb- 
 ruary, thriving most on the South east and East sides of the 
 lakes, and growing very thinly on the AVest and North portion 
 and centre. This grass makes good hay, which can be preserved 
 for any length of time. It seems to be the grass called by Sir 
 Thomas Agrostis virglnica, (Vilfa onatrella St.), which ^e saw 
 growing in the dry bed of the Waljeers, (vol. 2, p. 65). Brown's 
 A. virginica is frequently found near salt water, and sometimes 
 where the tide comes over it. 
 
 My friend Mr. Suttor collected for me on the Darling some 
 specimens of Fusanus acuminatus, (or "the Quandang"), of Gap- 
 pans MitcheJUi (or "the Native Pomegranate or Lemon"), of 
 Flimlersia maculosa (or "the Spotted Tree"), and Atalanta liemi- 
 glauca, a tree having dense panicles of small flowers, and a 
 peculiar seed vessel, separating into three distinct carpels, each 
 containing a seed, and terminating in a long wing. On the Flin- 
 clersla, there was a remarkable Loranthus or mistletoe, apparently 
 allied to L. pendula. He also kindly forwarded to me the fruit 
 of an asclepiadaceous climber, probably Leichhardtia, which, 
 when in a green state, is said to be eaten by the blacks. For the 
 species of Eucalyptus of the smaller kind, I am indebted to Dr. 
 F. Mueller's Fragmenta, vol. 2. These are F. gracilis, E. oleosa, 
 E. fruticetorum, and E. dumosa, all of which are of a shrubby 
 character, and form a great part of what is called " The Mallee 
 Scrub." With respect to one species of a larger growth, which 
 was much admired on some parts of the river near Wentworth, I 
 have no means of ascertaining what it is, but, from the description 
 given, I think it must be E. rostrata or the yarrah, which grows 
 near rivers and attains considerable size. I cannot end this com- 
 munication without expressing the high sense which I entertain 
 of Mrs. Forde's perseverance in collecting specimens, and also 
 of the ability which she has displayed in drawing and colouring 
 some of the most striking flowers on the Darling ; such, for in- 
 stance, as Qossypium Sturtii, or " Sturt's Desert E,ose," Eremo- 
 pMla or the " Desert Fuchsia," lleliotropium or the " Native 
 
 A A 
 
A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 Heliotrope," &c., &c. A collection of such drawings, accom- 
 panied with brief popular descriptions, would tend to develop the 
 resources of our flora in the far interior, and encourage persons 
 to pursue the study of our indigenous plants. This is a consid- 
 eration fully appreciated by my learned friend Dr. E. Mueller, 
 for whilst he has been almost incessantly occupied in preparing 
 works for the " learned" in all parts of the world, he has sim- 
 plified the study of Australian botany, by the beautiful engravings 
 published from time to time in his various writings ; and it is 
 often a matter of regret to me that these admirable illustrations 
 of "Australian beauties," are not more widely circulated and 
 more highly appreciated. If such' figures, displaying as they do 
 the wonderful structure and inimitable symmetry of our bush 
 flowers, were carefully studied, they would impress the mind 
 with a profound sense of the Creator's wisdom and lead to 
 reflections which are calculated to advance the moral and spiritual 
 nature of man. 
 
 ♦-•- 
 
 ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS AND PLANTS OF THE 
 PARRAMATTA DISTRICT. 
 
 T HE poet, in alluding to the marvellous beauties of the veget- 
 able kingdom, sings of the flowers of the field — 
 JEverywhere about us they are glowing. 
 
 Some, like stars, to tell us Spring is bom ; 
 Others, their blue eyes with tears o'erflowing 
 Stand, like Euth, amid the golden corn. 
 
 And truly to the inquiring mind, which searches diligently into 
 every sequestered spot, and disdains not to examine into the 
 minutest florets " that in earth's firmament do shine," they may 
 be found almost everywhere. It is not merely in the dense shades 
 of the forest or on the alluvial banks of our rivers, that we may 
 look for gorgeous tints and matchless symmetry. The despised 
 weed by the wayside, the humble moss springing out of the wall, 
 
OENAMENTAL SHEUBS, ETC. 203 
 
 the flower that struggles for existence in the parched desert, all 
 of them when subjected to careful examination by the practised 
 eye, or brought to light by the powerful aid of the microscope, 
 display their brilliancy and call forth our admiration. But, in the 
 popular meaning of the word " ornamental," reference is gener- 
 ally made to plants of a larger and more showy character, such 
 indeed as are calculated to adorn the borders of the garden, or 
 the vase in the green -house. It is these, therefore, that I pro- 
 pose to enumerate on the present occasion, with a view of showing 
 that the Parramatta district is not destitute of plants worthy of 
 cultivation, and that neglected as they may be in the immediate 
 neighbourhood, the elegance of some species is duly appreciated 
 by horticulturists in other countries. Passing over the smaller 
 plants to which I have alluded, I shall consider our ornamental 
 species under three heads: (1) such as may be denominated 
 small trees and designed to be useful in shrubberies, or graceful 
 when flourishing near the water ; (2) shrubs, properly so called, 
 not merely smaller than the preceding, but -svith numerous 
 branches from the base ; and (3) herbaceous plants, wMch are, 
 for the most part, annuals, and are propagated from bulbs or 
 seeds. 
 
 1. The myrtle family furnishes two small trees which abound 
 on our creeks, and are frequently termed " Australian Myrtles." 
 The one {BlacJcJiousia myrtifolia, so named in honour of the 
 worthy Quaker who visited our shores some years ago) in favoured 
 places, becomes an elegant tree, and in the spring of the year is 
 covered with a profusion of white flowers : the other {Eugenia 
 Smithii) has larger and more glossy leaves, and is more remark- 
 able for the pretty appearance of its fruit, than for the beauty of 
 its flowers. These fruits which are called " Lilly Pillies," vary 
 sometimes in size and colour, being white and light purple, and 
 when hanging in graceful bunches amongst the dark green foliage, 
 cannot fail to arrest the attention of the observer. A figure of 
 this species may be found amongst Dr. P. Mueller's Lithograms, 
 under the name of Syzygium Irachynemum, but it does not convey 
 to the mind an adequate idea of the tree, as seen growing in its 
 native soil. The " Olive Pruit Tree" (JElaocarpus cyaneud) of the 
 Linden bloom family, is a tree which in some parts of Australia, 
 attains considerable size, but in the Parramatta district it is only 
 
204 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 a small tree, with loose racemes of white fringed flowers, which 
 are succeeded by oval berries of an acid flavour. Perhaps the 
 Cunoniad family affords the district more ornamental trees than 
 any other, and at the season of Christmas, they are appropriated 
 in the same manner here as the Holly and Mistletoe in England. 
 That which is usually called " the Christmas bush" is Ceratopetalum 
 gummiferum, a graceful tree with leaves in threes, and panicles of 
 small white flowers, which after a time disappear and leave 
 behind them the persistent red calyxes. "When in this state, 
 which is usually from December to February, the branches are 
 sought after to decorate our Churches and houses during the 
 period of the Christmas festivities. ' In Dr. Bennett's " Gatherings 
 of a Naturalist," page 324, there is an elegant drawing of this 
 tree from the pencil of Miss H. Scott (/low Mrs. E. Eorde), which 
 gives a very good idea of the flowers as they appear about Christ- 
 mas. The allied species C. apetalum and ScMzomeria ovata, are 
 also ornamental, and difier principally in the fruit, and the 
 articulation of the leaves on the petiole. The fruit of >S'. ovata is 
 a white *fleshy drupe about the size of a marble, and of an acid 
 flavour. Callicoma serratafolia occurs frequently on our creeks^ 
 and is remarkable as being a solitary species of a genus endemic 
 in Australia. "When in flower it has rather a showy appearance, 
 and the leathery leaves, shining above and white with tomentum 
 underneath, coarsely serrated and marJied with prominent parallel 
 veins, render it an interesting object. I may also mention, as 
 being connected with the same family of trees, Ahropliyllum 
 ornans, which I found at the Eox Grround, near Lane Cove, a 
 beautiful tree with leaves sometimes nine inches long. It was 
 previously supposed that this species (the only one too of the 
 genus) did not occur nearer than the Blue Mountains. Aphano- 
 petalmn resinosum, is a tall climbing shrub, with panicles of 
 petal-less flowers, and shining leaves. It is worthy of cultivation, 
 and can be procured near Parramatta.* The same remark 
 applies to two other beautiful trees of the same order, Quintinia 
 Sieberi on the Blue Mountains, and Eucrypliia Moorei, near 
 
 * It is only within tlie last few weeks, that I have found Aphanopetalum 
 growing in the creek, near Brush Farm. In the same place, I gathered some 
 ripe fruit of EupoTnatia laurina, the flavour of which resembled that of 
 Qherimojer, though far inferior to it. 
 
OEITAMENTAL SHRtTBS, ETC. 205 
 
 Wingecarribee. Prom this short review of the Cunoniads, it 
 appears that many of them merit a place in our shrubberies, as 
 being elegant trees, both as regards the character of their 
 inflorescence, and the richness of their foliage. Some of them I 
 have occasionally noticed in gardens, but unless care be taken to 
 select for them a soil resembling that from which they have been 
 taken, and a degree of moisture similar to that to which they are 
 accustomed on the banks of creeks, or in the shade of the moun- 
 tain forests, our Cunoniads do not improve by cultivation. 
 However, they have received much less attention, than they 
 deserve. The species of Fittosporum, near Parramatta, are not 
 so interesting as some from other parts of Australia, but they are 
 nevertheless worthy of a place in our shrubberies, and when 
 the capsules open and display their red seeds, they remind 
 the observer of the pomegranate, by which name one of the 
 species is popularly designated. Cheiranthera linearis of the 
 same order, is a shrub with showy blue flowers. It is abundant 
 near Mudgee, and at first sight, resembles some species of Solanum. 
 The species of Billardiera have a twining habit, with pale 
 yellow flowers, and small edible fruits. Solh/a lieretophjlla with 
 its cymes of pretty blue flowers, though frequently cultivated in 
 Eastern Australia, belongs to Swan Eiver and King George's 
 Sound. Of the Eutaceae, Evodia micrococcaj and Acronychia Icevis, 
 are often trees of considerable size in other districts, but here 
 they are diminutive, though still retaining the same character as 
 the larger trees of the same species in more favoured places. The 
 flowers of the first are small, but the leaves which are trifoliate 
 on long petioles, give the tree a marked appearance. This species 
 could scarcely have escaped the notice of Cunningham, and was 
 probably referred by him to Zieria, but it was first described by 
 Dr. P. Mueller, in his Fragmenta (Vol. 1, 144). Acronychia, in 
 this part of the colony, is only a small tree, but in Queensland it 
 attains the height of 60 feet. The diminutive specimens of it, 
 seen on the Toongabbie Creek, and also near Smithfield, have 
 very much the character of the lemon, but the leaves are some- 
 times trifoliate. It seems to me that A. Icevis is almost out of its 
 proper place in this district, for none of the specimens that I 
 have noticed, grow to any size, and several that have been removed 
 to cultivated ground, soon perished. On the creeks to the north 
 
206 A CONTEIBITTION TO, ETC, 
 
 of Parramatta, Si/noum glandulosum occurs sparingly, but it is an 
 ornamental tree, and worthy of cultivation. It has flowers in dense 
 panicles, and pinnate leaves, resembling in some respects the 
 " Red Cedar" of the colonists, — a tree, indeed, to which it is 
 nearly allied. Clerodendrum tomentosum is remarkable as being 
 a small tree of the Verbena family, and long after flowering, the 
 seed vessels with the enlarged and dark coloured calyxes, are 
 conspicuous amongst the foliage. Duhoisia 7nyoporoides, or as some 
 call it "the Cork tree," is placed by Brown in the Solarium 
 family, and probably possesses deleterious properties. I have 
 been informed by Miss Atkinson that the aboriginal natives used 
 to prepare some stupifying liquid from it, and also that branches 
 of the tree, when hung up in a close room, have had the eflect of 
 producing giddiness and vomiting in delicate persons. D. myo- 
 poroides grows on the Toongabbie Creek, but never attains any 
 size. Exocarpus cupressiformis, or "the Native Cherry," is a 
 very graceful tree, and JElceodendrum australe, with its bright red 
 drupes and large oval-shaped leaves, is not unworthy of attention ; 
 but as regards their flowers, they are far inferior to some of the 
 bright yellow and showy racemes of our Wattles or Acacias, 
 which in the spring of the year form a lively contrast with the 
 prevailing white flowers of the district. The species of Acacia 
 deemed most ornamental in these parts are, A. decurrens, A. pu- 
 hescens, A. discolor, and the varieties (?) A. florihunda, and A, 
 intertexta, now united under A. longifolia, (Flora Australiensis, 
 vol. 2, p. 397). Stenocarpus salignus is a proteaceous tree some- 
 times called " Beef Wood." This as it now appears growing 
 close to our creeks, is little more than a shrub with dark glossy 
 leaves, and as such it was described by Brown, but since the days 
 of that illustrious botanist, S. salignus has been found as a splen- 
 did forest tree, 80 feet in height, the wood of which is exceedingly 
 beautiful, and promises to be useful for veneers in cabinet work. 
 When this tree was pointed out to me on the Mittagong Eange, 
 I could scarcely believe it to be identical with the shrub on the 
 Parramatta Creeks, yet such I believe is the case. There are two 
 small trees of the Epacris family that remain to be noticed, viz : — 
 Monotoca aliens or the "Native Beech," and Trochocarpa laurina 
 or the "Brush Cherry." The first of these is abundant near the 
 coast, and extends some distance on the banks of the Parramatta 
 
OENAMENTAL SHRUBS, ETC. 207 
 
 Eiyer. The flowers and fruit are small, and the tree seldom 
 exceeds eight or nine feet. T. laurina, so-called from the circum- 
 stance of the leaves being nerved like some species of Laurel, is 
 a pretty little tree of twenty feet or more, although on our creeks, 
 it is rather a shrub attaining only a few feet in height. 
 
 (2) The ornamental shrubs of the district are more numerous 
 than the preceding, and contain species which have been success- 
 fully cultivated in Europe. Amongst the Proteacese, Telapea 
 speciosisdma, " the Waratah or Native Tulip," claims the first 
 notice on account of its showy crimson flowers, which on the 
 banks of our creeks, or amidst the wild rocks of our gullies, are 
 conspicuous and beautiful objects. Amongst all our indigenous 
 shrubs, this is generally the most admired, and certainly it is 
 remarkable not only for the brilliancy of its involucre, its cylin- 
 drical follicle and winged seeds, but for the numerous florets 
 which form its centre, as if it were a composite flower. "With 
 the exception of this species, I scarcely think that we have in the 
 Parramatta district another Proteaceous shrub which would 
 interest the horticulturist. It is true there are species, of 
 Grevillea, Persoonia, and Lomatia, which present many points of 
 interest to the systematic botanist, but none of them can be 
 strictly termed ornamental. The whole order, however, is a re- 
 markable one. The varying forms of the flowers and seed vessels, 
 the rigid texture of the leaves, and the irregular tubular calyxes 
 distinguish the Proteacecd from all other orders, and render it 
 peculiarly interesting to strangers in Australia. Some of the 
 prettiest shrubs belong to the Eutaceous order, amongst which 
 "the Native Eose" {^Boronia serrulata), and other species of the 
 same genus (B. pinnata, and B. ledifolia, var. triphylla) are very 
 abundant in the spring of the year. Being of a bright pink 
 colour, and having a strong but not disagreeable odour, they can- 
 not fail to attract notice. Eriostemon salicifolius is also another 
 shrub with delicate pink flowers, and worthy of a place in any 
 garden. The species of Zieria are not very conspicuous, but two 
 species of Phebalium (P. JBillardieri and P. correifolkom) deserve 
 notice, the former on account of its pretty white flowers and the 
 silvery under-surface of the leaves, and the latter as being a 
 species limited in its range. Amongst the leguminous plants, 
 some species of JPodolohmm, Gompholohium, JBossicea, and Pultencea, 
 
208 A CONTBIBUTION- TO, ETC. 
 
 have showy yellow or orange coloured flowers ; but perhaps the 
 most admired are the climbing Ilardenbergia and Kennedia, the 
 one with blue, and the other with crimson flowers. The Clematis 
 strongly reminds one of the " Traveller's Joy" of Europe, being 
 of the same genus, and very similar in appearance, whilst the 
 numerous Epacrids, which here supply the place of the Heaths 
 of other countries, give a tone and character to the vegetation 
 where they abound. E^oacris purpurascens which is so common in 
 some of our scrubs, has been long known in Europe, and a double 
 variety has arisen from cultivation. I have been informed by Sir 
 "William Macarthur, that this sometimes occurs even in a wild 
 state, but I cannot say that I have ever noticed it. Some species 
 of StypJielia are very beautiful, as are also those of Leucopogon with 
 the bearded segments of their flowers, but Dr, E. Mueller regards 
 our VracopJiyllum s'^cundum, with its wax-like tubular corolla, as 
 one of the most interesting shrubs of the district. The sweet- 
 scented Marsdenia (M. suaveolens), and the strong climbing 
 Lyonsia {L. straminea) , are not to be despised, where plants of 
 such a nature are required for spreading over fences, or running 
 up the trunks of trees. Logania floribimda is remarkable for its 
 sweet-scented flowers, but can scarcely be regarded as ornamental, 
 but two species of Hibiscus {IT. lieterophyllus and H. divaricatus') 
 with their large showy flowers, have b^en collected in remote 
 parts of the district. One of these is sometimes called " the 
 native Hollyhock," and may be noticed in gardens. There are 
 many species of Hihhertla and Pleurandra here, but with the 
 exception of H. dentata and H. voluhilis with their bright yellow 
 petals, I do not suppose that any could be regarded as suitable 
 for horticulturists, and even these owing to the fugitive nature of 
 the petals, which drop ofl" almost as soon as they arc gathered, 
 render them less desirable than other flowers which arc more 
 enduring. The little Citriohatus, or " Orange Thorn," is rare in 
 the district, and desirable as a garden shrub. 
 
 3. The herbaceous plants of the district most suitable for 
 cultivation belong principally to the family of the Orchids and 
 Lilies, Avith a few species of Goodenia, Lobelia, ^c. Of the 
 Orchids, Dipodium punctatum (or the " the Native Hyacinth"), 
 Dendrobium speciosum (or " the Eock Lily"), Cgmbidium suave, 
 O. rejlexum, and Thehjmitra ixioides would be the most likely 
 
OENAMEXTAL SHRrBS, ETC. 209 
 
 to arrest tlie attention of the cultivator, but many of the smaller 
 species, from the peculiar structure of their flowers, and the 
 rarity of their occurrence in other parts of Australia, demand 
 some notice, especially the curious and irritable Caleana, the 
 sweet scented leaf of Glossodia major ^ the fantastic labellum of 
 Acianthus candatus and Calochilus, the edible bulbs of Diuris, and 
 the helmet of the diminutive Cory smithes. Comesperma volulile 
 of the milk-wort family is a slender little climber with pretty 
 blue flowers, and Lobelia gracilis and i. dentata are not unknown 
 to gardeners, whilst Dianella ccerulea and Thysanotus junceus, 
 (" the fringed Violet,") relieve the eye of the observer by their 
 delicate tints of blue and lilac. Nor should I forget, whilst 
 alluding to liliaceous plants, to mention the winding Eustrephus, 
 and the elegant bearded filaments of Arthropodium. The plants 
 of the Violet family {lonidium and Viola) do not bear comparison 
 with the species of England ; but though destitute of scent, our 
 Violets may serve to remind us of the copse woods of the mother 
 
 country, 
 
 *' Where purple Violets lurk, 
 With all the lovely children of tlie shade." 
 
 It is probable, too, that the indigenous species may admit of 
 hybridization, and under skilful manipulation, be rendered avail- 
 able for the purpose of the garden. The same remark is 
 applicable to our "native Geranium," {J^elargoniwm australe) 
 which decidedly improves under cultivation, and may hereafter 
 yield interesting varieties. And when we see the numerous 
 hybrids from the Passion Flower, it is not unreasonable to sup- 
 pose that our Disemma lierhertiana, or " the Native Passion 
 Flower," may improve in a similar manner. Sccsvola Jiispida, of 
 the Goodenia family, and Arum orixense, or " the Native Arum," 
 (now called Typhonium on account of its acridity), deserve con- 
 sideration : the first for the beauty of its flowers, and the other 
 for its tuberous roots, which after careful preparation may be used 
 for food. In their raw state they are poisonous, but the blacks 
 destroy the deleterious properties by the action of fire. I have 
 been informed also, that the leaves of the plant are likely to be 
 employed by the homceopathist. The delicate purple Pater sonia 
 of the Iris Family, which is so often doomed to blush unseen in 
 its native wilds, is not only ornamental, but it is said to grow 
 
210 A CONTEIBITTION TO, ETC. 
 
 readily in peat and loam, and may be increased like other herba- 
 ceous vegetables. Damasonium ovalifolium (our Water Lily), 
 Vallisneria spiralis, Villarsia geminata, and Azolla pinnata, are all 
 aquatic plants, and available for garden ponds. 
 
 In concluding my review of the ornamental plants of the 
 Parramatta district, I cannot but express regret that many of 
 them are so little appreciated by horticulturists. If we had, in the 
 neighbourhood of the town, a garden for the exclusive purpose of 
 raising native plants, and of arranging them systematically for 
 the instruction of persons desirous of studying Australian Botany, 
 the beauty of our Flora would be seen and acknowledged, and a 
 great step would be taken towards the development of our re- 
 sources. In the first place, the cultivation of the varieties of 
 Eucalyptus — a genus which has hitherto been so perplexing to 
 men of science — might lead to an accurate arrangement of the 
 species, and to the knowledge of the variations of which they are 
 susceptible ; whilst a careful investigation might render it evident 
 whether any of the species are exposed to hybridization. I am 
 aware that Dr. F. Mueller is of opinion that this process scarcely 
 extends to the genus, because fecundation of the germen takes 
 place whilst the calyx of the flower is yet closed by the oper- 
 culum ; but when we see the numerous varieties of Grey Gum 
 or Bastard Box, all of which must be referred to the same species, 
 and hear the expressions of practical men on that subject, it 
 seems probable that something of the kind may be eff*ected by 
 the labours of insects, and that by boring through the operculum, 
 and conveying the pollen of one tree to the stigma of another, 
 they may occasion some of the anomalies which we witness 
 around us. A systematic arrangement of our medicinal plants 
 aVo, is highly desirable, as a means of encouraging Medical 
 Botany, and of assisting the student in his researches into the 
 nature and properties of those species, which are likely to prove 
 efficacious in healing the diseases of the human constitution. 
 Such an investigation is eminently calculated to improve the 
 minds of young men entering on the medical profession, and to 
 obviate the necessity of sending to foreign countries for remedies 
 which could be procured here in all their native freshness. As 
 regards plants and trees, also, which are supposed to afford fruit 
 or roots capable of being prepared for food, a systematic garden 
 
ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS, ETC. 211 
 
 is very desirable. "We are supposed to have very few esculent 
 fruits, and probably such is the case ; but when we trace back 
 some of the highly flavoured fruits of the mother country, and 
 consider, for instance, how the numerous varieties of apple have 
 sprung from the harsh and austere crab, it is not too fanciful to 
 hazard an opinion that some of our native plants contain in 
 themselves elements for improvement. Why, for instance, should 
 not experiments be made on the " Native Grrape," the " Native 
 Kaspberry," the "Illawarra Plum" {Cargillia), the " Quandang," 
 or the fruit of the Achras ? Or why should we be too proud to 
 take a lesson from our sable brethren, and diligently examine 
 the nourishing properties of the vegetable productions which 
 they use as food, such as the tubers of the Arum, the nuts of 
 Macrozamia, the bulbous stems of some species of Orchids, and 
 the roots of certain Ci/peracece ? And, lastly, why should we not 
 allure our native youth to the study of the Vegetable Kingdom, 
 by placing before them, in gardens for the inspection of all classes, 
 the beautiful flowers and elegant shrubs which now perhaps are 
 wasting their fragrance on the desert air ? Whilst felicitating 
 themselves on the vast extent of their cattle runs, or the inex- 
 haustible resources of their mines, it is to be regretted that too 
 many of our young men are insensible to the exquisite beauties 
 and wonderful structures that are inviting contemplation. " The 
 lilies of the field," indeed, " with placid smile," 
 
 *' Eeprove man's feverish strivings, and infuse 
 
 Through his worn soul a more unworldly life, 
 
 With their soft, holy breath," 
 
 but these delightful impressions elude the grasp of the unobserv- 
 ing multitude ; for, as in the moral world, the most precious 
 truths are appreciated only by the humble and patient inquirer, 
 so in the natural world, if a person wishes to understand some- 
 thing of the mysteries of creation and to rise from Nature's works 
 to Nature's God, he must diligently examine the " Eevelation of 
 love" around him, and hold fast the truths which it unfolds. 
 
 ■♦♦i 
 
212 A CONTBIBTJTION TO, ETC. 
 
 THE GENUS EUCALYPTUS 
 
 ^ HIS genus, wliich comprises the most of our forest trees, is a 
 very remarkable one, and has long been a source of perplexity 
 to the systematic botanist. The word Eucalyptus is derived from 
 eu "well," andkali/pto "to cover," in allusion to the operculum or 
 lid which covers the calyx until the ^tamens are fully developed. 
 According to the Linnean system, the genus belongs to the class 
 Icosandria, order Monogynia, and according to the natural system, 
 to the order Myrtacece. The flowers have no petals, and the 
 stamens which are very numerous, are with few exceptions, white, 
 whilst the tube of the calyx is permanent, and the capsule three, 
 four, five, or six celled. Grenerally speaking, the leaves are alter- 
 nate, but in some species they are opposite, and in others, they 
 are alternate and opposite on the same tree. The arrangement 
 of the flowers is for the most part in umbels, varying very much 
 in size, as well as in the number of the florets, and these umbels 
 are sometimes axillary or lateral, and sometimes corymbose or 
 paniculate. Being evergreens, and probably lasting for many 
 generations, the species of Eucalyptus undergo many changes in 
 their appearance, for whilst some of them arc wholly or partially 
 covered with bark in their youth, and become smooth as they 
 advance in years, nearly all of them vary in the shape and size of 
 their leaves in proportion to their age. As a general rule, the 
 leaves are longer and broader on the young trees, whilst in some 
 species they are first opposite, and then alternate. Being fixed 
 vertically, instead of horizontally, they afibrd but little shelter 
 from the burning rays of the summer's sun, or from the drench- 
 ing showers which sometimes overtake the weary traveller ; and 
 on the whole, an Australian forest presents a dull and unvarying 
 aspect, uninfluenced by " the bright fresh verdure of spring, or 
 the gorgeous and variegated tints of Autumn." And yet our 
 Eucalyioti are of immense .importance, whether considered in 
 reference to the value of their timber, the medicinal properties of 
 their barkc and resins, or the essential oil of their leaves j whilst 
 
THE OENUS EUCALYPTUS. 213 
 
 the colossal dimensions and towering height of some species are 
 perhaps unrivalled in the world. According to a statement 
 recently published by Dr. F. Mueller, the karri (jEJ. colossea or 
 diversicolor) attains in favourable spots the height of 400 feet, 
 whilst the messmate {E. amygdalina) has been known to measure 
 480 feet. These, however, are extraordinary instances, and 
 limited to the glens of the Warren Eiver in Western Australia, 
 the recesses of the Dandenong, &c. In some of the gullies in 
 the Blue Mountains, and on the Mittagoug Eange, a blue gum of 
 this colony {E. eugenioides) , and the messmate, are known to ex- 
 ceed in height any of the ordinary gums in the neighbourhood of 
 Sydney, where, notwithstanding the havoc that has been committed 
 amongst the native forests in the process of cultivation, ironbark 
 (E.jyaniculata), bloodwood (E. cot ymhosa) , and swamp mahogany 
 {E. rohusta), have been ascertained to range from 100 to 150 
 feet. Whilst from their general appearance and usual character- 
 istics, there is no difficulty in referring our common gums to 
 the genus Eucalijptiis, there is intense difficulty in dividing the 
 genus into sections, and in determining the limits of each species. 
 This has been felt by every botanist from the foundation of the 
 colony, and notwithstanding the labours of Mr. Bentham and Dr. 
 r. Mueller, as disolayed in the third volume of the Flora 
 Ausiraliensis, and the second volume of the Fragmenta Fliyto- 
 grafhicd Au&tralice^ many mysteries remain to be cleared up. It 
 has frequently been remarked that the woodcutters in the vicinity 
 of Port Jackson are better able to distinguish the ordinary species 
 of Eucalyptus, by paying attention to their bark and the nature 
 of their timber, than the systematic botanist can separate one 
 species from another by dwelling upon the peculiarity of their 
 inflorescence, or even the divisions of their seed vessels. And 
 the reason is this, that many of the trees which differ very widely 
 in the texture of their bark and the specific gravity of their wood, 
 and to all intents and purposes are perfectly distinct from each 
 other, yet agree very nearly in the ordinary characters by which 
 species are regulated, so that a written description, especially 
 from dried specimens, may be applied to half a-dozen difterent 
 kinds of gum. This, indeed, has frequently been the case, and even 
 amongst men of scientific attainments, as might easily be shown 
 by referring to various works which have been written on the 
 
214 
 
 natural history and woods of the colony. The first method by 
 which botanists proposed to divide the genus into sections, was by 
 measuring the length of the operculum or lid of the flower-buds, 
 so that all species having the lid longer than the cupula or cup, 
 were placed in the first section : those that have the operculum 
 conical and equal in length to the cupula, were referred to the 
 second ; whilst the third section contained such species as have 
 the operculum nearly conical, or hemispherical, and shorter than 
 the cupula. To these sections were added two more divisions, in 
 one of which, the operculum was to be hemispherical, much 
 broader than the cupula, and in the other, the mature operculum 
 was depressed in the centre, where it is umbonate and shorter 
 than the cupula. But this artificial arrangement is not only 
 defective, from the fact that the operculum, even in the same 
 species, is not always of the same shape and size, as might be shown 
 from specimens of the grey gum {E. tereticornis) and the droop- 
 ing gum {E. saligna), but it is also open to the serious objection 
 of separating species which, by every other mark, are nearly 
 allied. Thus, for instance, all the ironbarks, mahoganies, and 
 common gums should be arranged near to each other in respective 
 sections, being not merely similar in bark, the nature of their 
 wood and general habit, but also in the character of their inflores- 
 cence and seed vessels. And yet, if the did system be fairly 
 carried out, we should be compelled to place some allied species 
 in one section, and some in another, thus destroying the simplicity 
 which would arise from judicious grouping, and in fact throwing 
 the whole genus into inextricable confusion. I believe that this 
 inconsistency has been the cause of much difficulty to persons 
 studying the genus, and has induced some to give it up in despair, 
 for although the comparative length of the operculum, as well as 
 its shape, may be a guide in determining those species which are 
 uniform in that organ, yet the irregularity which prevails in the 
 opercula of other species must lead to perplexity, especially when 
 the student is relying upon dried specimens without any know- 
 ledge of the tree in a living state. Seeing, therefore, that there 
 is no advantage in trusting to an artificial system, which is neither 
 uniform in its results, nor designed to connect allied species. Dr. 
 P. Mueller, in a paper read before the Linnean Society, in 1858, 
 suggested the expediency of grouping the species according to 
 
THE GENTS EUCALTPTTJS. 215 
 
 the structure of the bark, and of paying due attention to the 
 confioruration and valves of the seed vessels in determininor indi- 
 vidual species. This system is exceedingly simple and natural, 
 and one that commends itself to the practical man as well as to 
 the botanist, but still it is not without its defects, for some species 
 are found to be half-barked in their youth, and perfectly smooth 
 when advancing in age, whilst others again, apparently of the 
 same standing, are seen growing near each other in both states. 
 Some species of white gum, and hybrid box, are instances of this 
 kind, but, nevertheless, as the great majority of these trees are 
 sufficiently similar in character to be reeogDized by the attentive 
 observer, I am inclined to regard Dr. Mueller's system of group- 
 ing the best that has yet been devised. Its advantages are clearly 
 seen in some of the groups, especially those of the iron barks, 
 the stringy barks, the bloodwoods, and the half-barked blackbuts 
 and box. Taking these well-known trees as types, it is not diffi- 
 cult to associate others with them, as they come under observation. 
 One of the principal difficulties to what may be termed the 
 popular study of the genus, arises from the different names which 
 are given to the same species in different districts. For instance 
 — the blue gum of one colony is the red gum of another ; the 
 wooUybut of one district is the peppermint of an adjoining one ; 
 whilst in one locality perhaps the same species may be indifferently 
 called grey gum, leather jacket, hickory, and hybrid box. With 
 regard to the groups previously enumerated, there is much greater 
 uniformity, for stringy bark, bloodwood, &c., retain the same 
 names wherever they occur. In a previous paper, I have already 
 alluded to Dr. Mueller's cortical system, but to set the matter 
 clearly before my readers, I shall give in his own words what he 
 modestly called an attempt to arrange the Eucali/pti of tropical 
 and subtropical Australia, according to the structure, texture, 
 and shedding of their barks, accommodated to the use of the 
 colonists. He places all the species in six groups, in the following 
 order : — (1.) Leiophloice, such as have the bark smooth on every side, 
 after the shedding of the outer layer, including the trees com- 
 monly called flooded gum-trees, white gum teees, blue gum-trees 
 in part, red gum trees in part, and yarrah trees. (2.) Hemiphloiop, 
 such as have the bark in the lower part of the trunk, persister.t, 
 wrinkled, and full of clefts, in the upper part and in the branches 
 
216 A CONTRIBrTION TO, ETC. 
 
 rendered smooth bj the shedding of the outer layer, viz., More- 
 ton Bay ash, blackbut, box, &c. (3.) BlnjtipJiloice, such as have 
 the bark everywhere persistent, wrinkled, full of clefts, and solid 
 within, such as bloodwood, peppermint in part, &c. (4.) 
 FacliypJiloice, such as have the bark everywhere persistent, wrink- 
 led and fibrous within, as stringy bark trees. (5.) Schizophloice, 
 such as have the bark everywhere persistent, deeply furrowed, 
 and solid within, viz., iron-bark trees. (6.) LepichpMoice, having 
 the bark persistent at least in the trunk, lamellate, and friable, 
 as melaleuca gum-trees, mica trees. Mr. Bentham, after referring 
 to the difficulty of proposing any division, which is not open to 
 objectiou, alludes to the cortical system, as stated in the words of 
 Dr. F. Mueller, and remarks, " I am totally unable to judge, nor 
 have I any means, of availing myself of the sections founded on 
 the nature of the barks, for the specimens themselves never show 
 the character, and a large portion of them is either unaccompanied 
 by any notes of it, or the collectors' notes are from various 
 causes indefinite, unreliable, or even contradictory." He then 
 proceeds to state the plan adopted by him, as being the most 
 expedient he could devise under the circumstances. "I have thus 
 been compelled to establish groups upon such cbaracters as 
 appeared to me the most constant amongst those which are sup- 
 plied by the specimens ; in the first place, upon the form of the 
 anthers, and secondly upon that of the fruit, and in some cases 
 on the inflorescence, or the calyx." The system, indeed, is very 
 ingenious, and one which would not have been conceived by a man 
 of ordinary attainments, but in a colonial point of view, it is open 
 to many objections. In the first place, there is a want of cer- 
 tainty in the groups, as Mr. Bentham admits that they pass very 
 gradually into each other through intermediate forms ; and in the 
 second place, the system is too artificial and microscopic in its 
 character to be of any utility excepting to the botanist. The 
 gravest objection, however, is that of placing in the same 
 group, species wjiich in the eyes of the colonists, are always 
 regarded as perfectly distinct from each other and also of sep- 
 arating, under various sections, trees which by bark, wood, habit, 
 and general character, ought to stand near each other. To make 
 my meaning clear, I will give a few examples of the inconsisten- 
 eies which arise from grouping our gums according to the 
 
THE GENTS ETJCALTPTUS. 217 
 
 proposed system. With the species E. piperita, or peppermint, 
 which is a tree resembling stringy bark, the smooth barked 
 mountain blue gum is associated ; and with E. pilularis, or black- 
 but, which is a half-barked tree, the white mahogany, with its 
 persistent bark, is placed as a probable variety. Again, with E. 
 amygdalina, or the messmate (a large tree very like stringy bark), 
 E. radiata, or the river white gum, is reckoned as a variety. 
 These apparent anomalies arise from relying too closely upon 
 artificial distinctions ; and if we look to the separation of species 
 under the proposed system, a similar inconsistency appears. The 
 ironbarks, which certainly should be grouped together, stand apart. 
 E. leucoxylon, or the red flowering ironbark, and E. paniciilata, 
 or the white ironbark, are in the second series ; and E. sider- 
 opJdoia, or the red ironbark, and E. melanophloia, or the silver 
 leaved ironbark, are placed in the fourth. Again, the white 
 mahogany {E. acmenioides) is in the first series, and E. robusta, 
 or swamp mahogany, and E. hotryoides, or the bastard mahogany, 
 are in the fifth series, sub-series 3 ; whilst the red mahogany 
 {E. resinifera) stands in sub-series 6. These are some of the 
 results arising from the application of the principles laid down 
 so that whatever merit there may be in an artificial system by 
 which museum plants can be named, (and I am far from denying 
 the credit due to the illustrious botanist for his exertions in that 
 respect) I do not think that such an arrangement will ever meet 
 with much favour with those who are studying the living plants. 
 As Mr. Bentham had merely dried specimens before him, and 
 knew nothing of the species as they grow in their natural soil, it 
 was impossible for him to appreciate the value of any system 
 founded on difference of bark and habit. Alliances well known 
 even to the woodcutter in these colonies, had no place in his 
 mind, and therefore, judging simply from the material before him, 
 he did the best for us in his power, and collected an amount of 
 information from various sources which hereafter will greatly 
 assist any one who may be disposed to consider the most judicious 
 mode of grouping the species. Viewed practically, it must be 
 admitted that Dr. Mueller's method of grouping our Eucalypti, 
 according to the nature and texture of the bark, is the best 
 system which has yet been promulgated; and whilst future 
 observations may render it more precise by defining with accuracy 
 c c 
 
218 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 the particular group under which each species should be ranged, 
 the basis of the system is likely to be permanent. As regards 
 the fixing of species, and of ascertaining the amount of variation 
 to which some are liable, other principles must be applied. 
 Some species, indeed, are marked by the double operculum, some 
 by winged seeds, and others by the colour of their stamens ; but 
 the shape, cells, valves, &c., of the seed vessels present very 
 important notes of distinction, and deserve the most attentive 
 study. Hence I believe that these considerations, when taken in 
 connection with the cortical group to which the respective species 
 belong, will be found most efficacious in settling many difficulties. 
 It is true, indeed, that some seed \essels of very different trees 
 closely resemble each other, and, consequently, without some 
 further mark for distinction, mistakes might arise ; but the diffi- 
 culty is considerably lessened when the group of the tree from 
 which the specimen was procured, is known. , For instance, some 
 species of the Leiophloicd have seed vessels very similar to those 
 of the Pachypliloice ; and if a person did not know to which 
 group they belonged, he might probably err in referring them to 
 the wrong species. This, however, is not so likely to be the case, 
 when he can ascertain whether they were collected from a tree 
 with smooth bark, or from one with fibrous bark. It seems to me 
 that a system founded on the character of the seed-vessel in con- 
 nection with the bark, will ultimately fix the species of the genus, 
 for generally speaking the fruit is subject to the least variation. 
 Even in the grey gum or hybrid box {E. tereticornis) , which 
 appears more subject to variation than any gum in New South 
 Wales, there is sufficient uniformity in the seed-vessel to mark 
 the species. The leaves are subject to great diversity, for they 
 may be found of all shapes and sizes — from broad ovate to narrow 
 lanceolate ; and the umbels (though the type is apparently of 
 seven flowers on each umbel), vary considerably in number, 
 whilst the operculum, which is usually much longer than the 
 cupula, is sometimes equal in length to it, and sometimes shorter. 
 But after all, if the seed vessel be considered in reference to the 
 bark of the tree to which it belongs, it will be a safe guide to the 
 determination of the species. It is in this gum that workmen 
 speak so much of hybridization, as they imagine that the flowers 
 of the grey gum are sometimes inoculated by the pollen of the 
 
THE GENtrS EtJCALtPTUS. 219 
 
 box, SO that an intermediate variety springs up. And it is a 
 curious fact, that in some districts where these trees prevail, there 
 is a species which in appearance sometimes resembles the one, 
 and sometimes the other. Upon careful examination, I find that 
 whilst the young trees look very like the box, and the older 
 approacli the grey gum, the seed vessels of this tree diifer from 
 those of the box, in being usually five celled, and from the grey 
 gum, in having the valves inserted. With respect to hybridization 
 in this genus, the flowers of which are probably fertilized before 
 the operculum is cast off", Dr. F. Mueller does not think that it 
 is impossible, but that all ordinary chances are against it. " Still," 
 he continues, "as Mr. W. S. Macleay remarked, parrots and 
 other birds occasionally bite off the flower-buds, and, may 
 accidentally uncover a stigma, and remove the anthers ; and 
 again insects may then finish ofi" their work and carry pollen 
 across from another species. But then hybrids are barren, as a 
 general rule— and how few seedlings can spring up of such 
 hybrids, compared with the ordinary young plants of the pure 
 species." My own impression is, that the varieties of the grey 
 gum, to whatever causes they may be due, are not transmissible 
 from generation to generation, and that they do not extend 
 beyond the individuals so circumstanced ; whilst I regard one of 
 the kinds at least, which workmen consider hybrid, as a true 
 species, for it has a uniform seed-vessel of its own, and prevails 
 to too great an extent to admit of the supposition that it is the 
 result of fortuitous impregnation. The diseases and age of 
 Eucalypti, are subjects also of great interest, but as yet they have 
 received only a moderate share of attention. E. globulus, or 
 "the Tasmanian Blue Grum," when removed from its native soil, 
 is subject to the ravages of beetles, and many trees in New 
 South Wales have perished from that cause ; but the most 
 remarkable instance of disease amongst our gums in this 
 colony, is the fact that in some districts, whole forests of trees, 
 covering many square miles, have sickened and died without any 
 apparent cause. Some persons attribute the disease to drought, 
 and some to floods, whilst again others think that during excessive 
 rains, a grub or fungus has been generated in the low lands and 
 gradually spread to the trees on the higher ground.* I confess 
 * Sir Thomas Mitchell mentions', that Regent's Lake, which Tvas visited by 
 
220 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 that I do not see any evidence of such a visitation, although it is 
 by no means improbable, for in certain seasons, I have noticed 
 young gum-trees infested with Coccus and Cladosporium in a 
 manner similar to that which has prevailed in some of the orange 
 orchards near Parramatta, though probably the insect is of a dif- 
 ferent species. The age of these trees is another matter difficult 
 to solve, for although they grow for the most part very rapidly 
 at first, soon forming dense scrubs on land that has been cleared 
 and neglected, yet it is impossible to believe that any trees could 
 attain the astonishing height of 300 or 400 feet in less than 
 several centuries. We may imagine, therefore, that many of our 
 primeval forests are of older standing than the sable race which 
 was found roaming amongst them, and that in the unimprotsed 
 parts of the colony, they will continue to rear their lofty branches 
 long after the unfortunate aboriginal inhabitants have passed 
 away. The spotted gum (JE. maculata), the blue gum {E. 
 goniocalyx), and the red flowering ironbark* (E leucoxylori) , 
 
 Mr. Oxley, and pronounced by him to be a " noble lake," was nearly dry in 
 1836, and that "its northern margin, and a good way within the former 
 boundary of the lake, stood dead trees of a full grown size, which had been 
 apparently killed by too much water, plainly showing, like the trees similarly 
 situated in Lake George and Lake Bathurst, to what long periods, the extremes 
 of drought and moisture have extended, and may again extend in this 
 singular country." It is easy to account for the destruction of some species 
 of Eucalyptus, which have sprung up in places occasionally exposed to the 
 influence of floods, but it is difficult to explain, why a similar fate has befallen 
 trees beyond tlie reach of the water. Sir Thomas, in his course along the 
 Darling and Lachlan, remarked that the yarrah {E. rostrata) grew only on 
 the banks of rivers, lakes, or ponds, from the water of which the roots derive 
 nourishment ; but when the trunk itself has been too long immersed, the tree 
 dies, as appeared on various lakes, and in reedy swamps on the Lachlan. The 
 *' goborro," or dwarf box (a tree covered with a rough bark, and never ex- 
 ceeding the size of fruit trees in a garden), on the contrary, seldom grows on 
 the banks of a running stream, but seems to thrive in inundations, however 
 long their duration. In the case of the trees to which I have alluded, they 
 are species which undoubtedly might perish from inundations, but many of 
 them were standing on the high ground, far above the flood mark. 
 
 * The late Miss Elizabeth Macarthur is said to have planted a red-flower- 
 ing ironbark in the garden at Parramatta more than fifty years ago, and yet 
 the tree has not made more than a foot in diameter in that time. This fact 
 confirms the opinion I have formed respecting the age of the ironbarks in 
 general from a careful observation of the concentric circles of the wood. To 
 show how little some of our trees alter in the course of half a century, I may 
 mention that the blackbut on which the late Mr. W. I-awson cut his initials 
 with a tomahawk in 1813, still presents the letters as legible as ever. This 
 interesting tree, so intimately connected with the first expedition over the 
 Blue Mountains, is standing on the side of the Bathurst road at the summit 
 of Pulpit Hill. 
 
THE GENUS EUCALYPTUS. 221 
 
 have been planted in the neighbourhood of Parramatta, and after 
 having stood for more than half a century, they are still only 
 small trees ; whilst the stringy barks which have sprung up in 
 some of the paddocks that were cleared in the early days of the 
 colony, are only in their youth. In some trees, the age may be 
 ascertained by counting the concentric circles, but this is liable 
 to much fallacy, and it can only be relied on in trees having 
 marked separations between the circles. These circles are clear 
 enough in some of the younger trees of our forests, but as the 
 trees advance in age, many of them have a tendency to become 
 hollow in the centre ; and even in those which are sound at the 
 heart, the circles are frequently obliterated and confused. The 
 lat^ Professor Balfour, in referring to this mode of calculating 
 the ages of trees, remarked that the "calculation can be made with 
 tolerable correctness in trees of temperate and cold climates, where 
 during the winter there is a marked interruption to growth, and 
 thus a line of demarcation is formed between the circles ; but in 
 trees of warm climates, this mode of estimating age may lead to 
 error. It would appear that in these is often the appearance of 
 numerous circles in one year. The age of 5000 years, attributed 
 to some baobabs in Senegal, may be accounted for in this way. 
 Even in trees of Britain, when they get old, it is found that the 
 different circles are so blended as to make it difficult to count 
 them accurately."' The slight change, which ten or twenty years 
 make in some of our bush trees, is incidentally noticed in 
 " Sir Thomas Mitchell's Expeditions" (vol. 2, p. 19), where that 
 writer assures us, that the tree which had been marked by Mr. 
 Oxley nineteen years before, was apparently but little altered in 
 its girth, "judging from the letters which were still as sharp as 
 when first cut, only the bark, having overgrown part of them, 
 had been recently cleared away a little as if to render the 
 letters more legible." In a country, in which the seasons are 
 irregular, and in which sometimes a long continued drought 
 almost puts a stop to vegetation, it seems unlikely that calcu- 
 lations formed on the concentric circles of trees would lead to 
 any solution of the problem regarding their longevity, even if 
 other circumstances were favourable for such an investigation. 
 It is more reasonable to imagine, that the notches cut in some of 
 the gum trees by the aboriginal natives, compared with the known 
 
222 A CONtRIBtTlOiJ- TO, EtC. 
 
 age of trees whicli have sprung up since the foundation of the 
 colony, would afford data for making an approximate guess 
 at the rate of growth amongst some species of Eucalypti 
 
 Instead of forming any opinion exclusively from the concen- 
 tric circles, it appears to me more judicious to ascertain the 
 space of time required for a tree to attain the diameter of afoot, 
 and then to calculate by the rule of proportion, the number of 
 years it would take to increase to any given size. If, for instance, 
 in some of the quickly-growing species, the diameter of the tree 
 should be found to measure a foot in twenty years, then the same 
 tree would require four hundred years to attain a diameter of 
 twenty feet, which is seven feet less than one measured by Mr. 
 G. Eobinson in the back ranges of Berwick. Or, again, if, in 
 feome of the very hard and slowly growing species, 50 years 
 should be required for the diameter of a foot, 300 years would be 
 necessary to produce even the diameter of six feet. No rule 
 could be laid down for the species generally, because they diifer 
 so much in their grain and specific gravity, but it appears to me 
 that in places where trees have sprung up since the bush was 
 cleared in the early days of the colony, some data are afforded 
 for calculation as to the probable ages of our gum trees. The 
 " iron-bark" I regard as growing very slowly, and therefore I 
 think that even a tree of three feet in diameter may be nearly 
 two hundred years old; whilst of a "bloodwood tree," the wood 
 of which is soft and rapid of growth, the age is considerably less. 
 Trees, it must be borne in mind, have their youth, their prime, 
 and their old age ; and, although we may form some idea of their 
 age so long as they continue to grow, there is great obscurity in 
 making any estimate of the period they may endure after they 
 have passed the time of their perfect development. Since the 
 early days of the colony, when the bush in tho neighbourhood of 
 Parramatta was cleared, many " grey gum-trees," &c., have 
 sprung up, varying from one to two feet in diameter, from which 
 I infer that they are less rapid in growth than the " bloodwood." 
 A neighbour of mine who has had much experience in colonial 
 woods, is of opinion that the " blackbut," and especially the 
 "blue gvim," when growing on alluvial soil near the water, 
 increase with more rapidity than the bloodwood, measuring 
 between two and three feet in diameter in tho course of thirty 
 
THE GENUS EUCALYPTUS. 223 
 
 years. This same species, however, under less favourable cir- 
 cumstances, is of much slower growth, as I have noticed " blue 
 gums," which, as far as I have been able to judge, have not 
 attained a diameter of two feet in fifty or sixty years. The 
 subject is one of great interest, and opens for consideration 
 questions intimately connected with the geological formation of 
 the colony, and the probable period that may have elapsed since 
 some parts of it were first covered with forests. A careful 
 comparison of observations made in different colonies, with the 
 express view of ascertaining the ages of our gigantic Eucalypti ^ 
 might lead to the solution of many problems connected with the 
 physical history of the continent, which are now enveloped in 
 obscurity ; but there are great difficulties in the consideration of 
 a question in which so many counteracting influences are in 
 operation. Diff"erences of soil, the prevalence of drought, the 
 ravages of insects, the damages arising from storms, and many 
 other causes of an injurious character, tend to retard the pro- 
 gress of our gums, and to make their growth exceedingly 
 irregular. 
 
 SPECIES OF EUCALYPTUS AERAKGED ACCOEDING 
 TO THE CORTICAL SYSTEM; 
 
 A CCOEDING- to the recent estimate of Mr. Bentham and 
 Dr. F. Mueller, in the third volume of the Flora Australiensis, 
 the number of species belonging to the genus Eucalyptus in Aus- 
 tralia is estimated at 135, of which nearly 50, with numerous 
 varieties are supposed to be indigenous in New South "Wales. 
 Puture investigations will no doubt suggest many alterations in 
 the arrangement of the species, as probably, in some instances, 
 mere varieties are regarded as distinct species, whilst, on the 
 other hand, some trees, which must always be deemed separate 
 in the eyes of the colonists, have been united together. It is not 
 
224 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 likely, however, that the number of species for this colony will 
 he much increased, for on referring to the Catalogue of woods, 
 forwarded to the Exhibition in 1854, it appears that only 49 
 specimens of Eucalyptus-wood were collected in the Southern 
 part of Australia, and of these, several are merely varieties . of 
 species differing apparently in the character of their grain, and 
 in their specific gravity, according to the age of the tree, and the 
 nature of the soil on which it grew. Thus, for instance, nine 
 kinds of " Iron Bark" are mentioned, whereas in all probability, 
 these were procured from three species prevailing in this 
 colony. The reduction, however, occasioned by this view of the 
 " Iron Barks" and other forest trees, is compensated by the addi- 
 tion of those species, which are merely of a shrubby character, 
 and did not furnish any wood for the Exhibition, such for instance 
 as E. stricta, which forms brushes on the more elevated parts of 
 the Blue Mountains, and others which constitute what is termed 
 the " Mallee Scrub" of the interior. 
 
 The species indigenous in New South Wales may be conve- 
 niently arranged, according to the plan indicated by Dr. E. 
 Mueller, under the following groups : (1) such as have the bark 
 for the most part smooth, of which section, " White," " Blue," 
 " Grrey," and " Spotted Grum," may be regarded as types ; (2) 
 half-barked trees, such as " Box" and " Blackbut," which have 
 the bark fibrous and persistent on the lower part of the trunk, 
 whilst the upper part and the branches are smooth ; (3) wrinkled 
 or furrowed-bark trees, of which " Bloodwood" and some of the 
 " Mahoganies" are types. These have the bark persistent on the 
 trunk and branches ; (4) trees of the " Stringy Bark" kind, 
 such as have the bark for the most part fibrous and persistent on 
 the trunk and branches ; and (5) " Iron-Barks," which have 
 the bark hard, solid, and deeply furrowed on the trunk, and 
 generally on the branches. 
 
 Of the smooth barked series, we have about twenty species, 
 viz., (1) JE. stellulata; (2) JE. coriacea ; (3) E. radiata, (4) E. 
 eugenioides ; (5) E. gracilis', (6) E. licemastoma; (7) E. unci- 
 naia; (8) E. aliens ; (9) E. goniocalyx\ (10) E. dumosa ; (11) 
 E. ino assata ; (12) E. dealbata-, (13) E. mminalis ; (14) E. 
 rostraia ; (15) E. tereticornis ; (16) E. punctata ; (17) E, 
 Stuartiana ; (18) JS^. saligna, and (19) E. maculata. 
 
THE GENUS EUCALYPTUS. 225 
 
 (1.) E. stellulata : this is the " White Gum" of the Mountains, 
 and the " Lead Grum" of Berrima. It seldom attains more than 
 thirty or forty feet iu height, and two feet in diameter, but owing 
 to difference of soil and climate, the bark is subject to much 
 variation in appearance, being sometimes white, and sometimes 
 of a lead-colour. The wood is reported to be of no service, 
 excepting for fuel. The leaves of this species are somewhat 
 remarkable, some of the veins starting from near the base, and 
 almost parallel to the midrib. 
 
 (2.) E. coriacea is another of the " White Grums" from the 
 Blue Mountains, Berrima, &c., and it may be found in many 
 parts of the counties of Camden, Argyle, &c. It sometimes 
 attains a considerable height, and the inner bark is smooth and 
 white, resembling in that respect the "White Gum" near 
 Sydney, but the tree differs in foliage and seed vessel, as well 
 as in the imperfect stamens being much fewer. The height of 
 this gum varies from forty to eighty feet, and the wood is not 
 much valued. The leaves are thick and sometimes very long, 
 having the appearance of being many nerved, and in dry seasons 
 are eaten by cattle and horses. 
 
 (3.) E. radiata is regarded by Mr. Bentham as a variety of 
 the "Messmate" {E. amygdalind) ^ a tree abounding on the 
 Mittagong Range, &c., and so very much like " Stringy Bark" 
 in appearance, that it is frequently mistaken for that species. E. 
 radiata, however, or " the Eiver White Gum," growing on the 
 banks of the Kepean, &c., is a smooth tree with the bark 
 generally hanging from the upper branches in long strips, and 
 the trunk nearly white. The flowers are much more numerous 
 than in the " messmate," and the leaves are sometimes opposite, 
 and sometimes alternate on the same tree, varying in shape from 
 ovate-lanceolate and stem-clasping, to lanceolate and petioled. E. 
 radiata, as far as I have observed, never grows far away from 
 rivers, but the messmate is a sub-alpine species. The Eiver 
 White Gum seldom attains a greater height than fifty or sixty 
 feet, and the timber is not valued by the settlers. 
 
 (4.) E. eugenioides or " the Mountain Blue Gum," is placed 
 by Mr Bentham as a variety of the " Peppermint." There is 
 certainly a great similarity in the flower buds, though they are 
 larger and broader than those of the " Peppermint," but the 
 
226 A CONTEIBTJTION TO, ETC. 
 
 trees are perfectly distinct, the one having a smooth bar"k, and 
 the other a fibrous one, similar to that of " Stringy Bark. Eraser 
 reported this tree as attaining the height of 100 feet on Bathurst 
 Plains, but in some places between the Kurrajong and Tomah, it 
 appears much higher. There is a diiFereuce between the seed 
 vessel of this Blue Gum and that of the Peppermint, the latter 
 inclining more to an ovoid shape. The wood of E. eugenioides 
 is much used by wheelwrights and carpenters, but it is inferior 
 to the Blue Gum of Cumberland (JE. guniocalyx). 
 
 (5.) jE/. gracilis is Dr. F. Mueller's E. fruticetorum, a small tree 
 or shrub from the desert of the Murray and the Darling, but 
 in different varieties, it is found in the other Australian 
 colonies. 
 
 (6.) E, Ticemastoma is generally called " "White Gum," but in 
 some districts, in which the bark is marked with grey patches, it 
 is known as " Spotted Gum." This species sometimes appears 
 half-barked, as the " Blackbut" and "Box," but in most instances 
 the bark is smooth and w^hite. The tree varies very much in size, 
 being somewhat stunted near the sea, but becoming larger in the 
 interior. In the neighbourhood of Sydney, the flowers and 
 seed-vessels ^re much larger, than they are farther inland, and 
 this difference led the earlier botanists to make two species, the 
 inland one being called E. micrantha. I had the pleasure of for- 
 warding specimens of both varieties for the Flora Australiensis^ 
 and I am happy to find that Mr. Bentham adopts my view of the 
 species. The specific name of this gum was derived from the 
 fact that the rim of the seed vessel is of a dark red colour. This, 
 in some cases, is a guide to the species, but not an infallible one^ 
 as some varieties of " Stringy Bark" have a similar rim. The 
 wood of the " White Gum" is very little esteemed, either for 
 practical purposes or for burning. E. hcemastoma was described 
 by Wildenow, and in all probability, it grew on the spot where 
 Sydney now stands. 
 
 (7.) E. uncinata, or Dr. Mueller's E. oleosa^ is one of those 
 shrubby species which constitute what is termed the " Mallee 
 Scrub" of the interior. Dr. Mueller says that this shrub is very 
 useful to travellers and especially to the aborigines, since the 
 .root runs along for a considerable space, and retains a copious 
 supply of piir© water. 
 
THE GEJmS EUCALYPTUS. 227 
 
 (8.) E. alhens is one of the " White Gums" of the interior 
 sometimes attaining the height of eighty feet. The wood is not 
 valued. 
 
 (9.) E. goniocalyx is one of the most useful trees we possess, 
 and in some districts is called " Flooded Grum," and in others 
 " Blue Gum." It generally grows near rivers or creeks, but it 
 frequently occurs as a forest tree. One mark of this species is 
 the angular calyx, and another is the short flat peduncle with an 
 umbel of about seven flowers on short thick pedicels. In some 
 parts of the colony, this tree attains eighty feet or more, and a 
 diameter of seven feet, and although the wood varies according 
 to the soil, yet it is considered highly valuable. Several of the 
 woods marked " Blue Gum" by Sir William Macarthur, belong 
 to this species, and the " Flooded Gum" from the Clarence and 
 other parts must be referred to the same. Mr. Moore mentions 
 the timber as being extensively used for building purposes, such as 
 scantling, battens, flooring boards, posts and rails, and ships' 
 planks. I may also add that it is excellent for the naves and felloes 
 of wheels, and Mr. M. says many trees yield from 6000 to 7000 
 feet of timber, which is worth ISs. per hundred feet. It grows 
 rapidly, and its specific gravity is reported to be less than that 
 of any other gum. Through some mistake, specimens of this 
 gum appear to have been mixed with those of the " Bastard 
 Mahogany," which Mr Bentham places next to it, though accord- 
 ing to the appearance of the trees, their bark and wood, as well 
 as their habit, they are perfectly distinct. The Blue or Flooded 
 Gum generally indicates a good soil. 
 
 (10.) E. dumosa is a shrubby species in the interior. Sir 
 Thomas Mitchell speaks of it as " a dwarf species," prevailing 
 between the Lachlan and the Darling, and growing in such a 
 manner, as to render it almost impossible to push horses through 
 it, except in a very sinuous manner. He regarded it as " the 
 most unpleasing of shrubs to a traveller," and describes it " as 
 a lofty bush with a great number of stems, each two or three 
 inches in diameter," " and the bushes" he adds, " grow thickly 
 together, having between them nothing but the prickly grass in 
 large tufts." 
 
 (11.) E. incrassata, is another of the small species, constitu- 
 ting part of the " MaUee Scrub" near the Murray. 
 
228 A COITTBIBtJTION TO, ETC. 
 
 (12.) E. dealhata is one of the so-called " White Gums," from 
 the neighbourhood of Bathurst and Mudgee. Its average height 
 is about fifty teet without any branches, but on the upper part, 
 the foliage is rather thick, and presents a whitish or glaucous 
 appearance, the leaves being covered with a powdery substance 
 which can be rubbed off. The bark varies in colour according to 
 the age, being white or of a purplish tinge when young, and 
 getting brownish when old. It is reported to shed its bark only 
 once in three years, and the wood is of a light colour, and too 
 soft to be of much use. 
 
 (13.) E. viminalis is the " Manna," " Drooping," or " "White 
 Gum" from Bathurst, Mudgee, &c. It is one of those species 
 w^hich yields a peculiar substance termed " Manna," and is re- 
 markable for its elegant appearance. This tree is sometimes 150 
 feet in height, and eight feet in diameter, but the wood is not 
 much esteemed. Some of the specimens referred to this species 
 belong to one of the Grey Gums {E. saligna), and others to the 
 Camden Woolly-but, which according to the cortical system, must 
 be placed in separate sections. 
 
 (14.) E. rostrata is a large tree, growing for the most part on 
 the banks of rivers in the interior, and frequently called 
 " Flooded Gum," but sometimes " Eed Gum" or "White Gum." 
 By the aboriginal natives, it is know^n as the " Yarrah," (though 
 that name is applied to almost any tree), and on the Darling 
 and Lachlan sometimes exceeds 100 feet in height. Sir T. 
 Mitchell says, " Its huge gnarled trunks, wild romantic formed 
 branches often twisting in coils, shining white or light red bark, 
 and dark masses of foliage, with consequent streaks of shadow 
 below, frequently produced effects fully equal to the wildest forest 
 scenery of Euysdael or Waterloo. Often as I hurried along, did 
 I take my last look with reluctance of scenes forming the most 
 captivating studies. The " yarrah" is certainly a pleasing 
 object in various respects, for its shining bark and lofty height 
 inform the traveller of a distant probability of water, or at least 
 of the bed of a river or lake ; and being visible over all other 
 trees, it usually marks the course of rivers so well, that in travel- 
 ling along the Darling and- Lachlan, I could with ease trace the 
 general course of the river, without approaching its banks, until 
 I wished to encamp." When Mrs Forde was in the neighbourhood 
 
THE GEXUS EirCALTPTXJS. 229 
 
 of Wentworth in 1865, that lady mentioned this species of Eu- 
 calyptus as appearing perfectly beautiful on the banks of the 
 Darling. The trees seemed largely and nobly proportioned, whilst 
 the leaves had a drooping habit, and the flowers were very small. 
 It is said that the yarrah of South Australia is impervious to 
 the White Ant and Teredo navalis, ^nd that a large quantity of 
 it has been used on railways. The wood, how^ever, does not always 
 bear so good a character. The specific gravity varies from 
 0-858 to 0-923 (Catalogue of the Victorian Exhibition 1861). 
 From the circumstance of this tree being called "Flooded 
 Gum," it has sometimes been confused with the " Flooded 
 Gum" of the Clarence; &c., (U. goniocalyx), but the species 
 are perfectly distinct. 
 
 (15.) E. tereticornis, sometimes called " Grey Gum," some- 
 times " Eed or Blue Gum," and sometimes " Bastard Box," 
 is one of the most variable species we have. The leaves 
 and flower-buds are subject to great diversity in shape and 
 appearance, and the seed vessels difl'er very much in size. The 
 type of the species has an umbel of seven florets, but some- 
 times, especially in damp or low ground, the florets are smaller 
 and more numerous. Notwithstanding the irregularity of 
 infloi:escence, the seed vessel is uniformly of the same character, 
 having a broad rim, and the valves of the capsule protruding. The 
 wood is more prized in some districts than in others, but where 
 Iron Bark cannot be procured, it is always considered suitable 
 for rails and posts, as well as for fuel. In some respects, this 
 species resembles JE, goniocalyx, and over the mountains the 
 variety hrevifoUa or Eed Gum is not merely prized for ordinary 
 purposes, but it is said to have a beautiful grain, similar to 
 English oak, and to bear a polish. It is very durable, whether 
 exposed or not. 
 
 (16.) IE. punctata.— XindiGY the varieties of the preceding, Mr. 
 Bentham places E. punctata, or what is frequently termed 
 " Hickory or Leather Jacket." The flowers and seed vessels of 
 this tree so closely resemble those of the " Eed Mahogany," that 
 Mr. Bentham has evidently regarded them as belonging to the 
 same species, whereas the trees differ so much in wood, bark, and 
 habit, that they must be referred to separate sections. The 
 "Hickory" attains about the same height as the preceding 
 
230 A C02i'TEIBTrTI0N TO, ETC. 
 
 species, but it frequently has a more spreading habit. It is a 
 good wood for fencing and burning, and is exceedingly tough and 
 durable. I have seen posts of this tree perfectly sound after 
 having been half a century in the ground, and I believe that 
 next to Iron Bark, there is no wood in this part of Australia, 
 more suitable for railway ^ sleepers. The seed vessel of the 
 Hickory is very similar to that of the Grrey Grum {E. teretlcornis) , 
 but the rim is not so broad, nor are the valves so prominent. In 
 the swamps at Manly Beacli, I have noticed a variety of the 
 Hickory with seed vessels half an inch long and two thirds 
 of an inch in diameter. This bears the same relation to the 
 ordinary forms, as the variety grandijlora of the Red Mahogany, 
 does to E. resijiifera, or the larger forms of El licGinastoma, to E. 
 micrantha. 
 
 (17.) E. Stuartlana, in its variety longifolia, is the "Yellow 
 Grum" of Wingecarribbee and other parts of the interior. Sir 
 William Macarthur states that it does not exceed eighty feet in 
 height, and that the timber is " said to be good." This gum 
 bears some resemblance fo the Grrey Gum and Hickory of the 
 county of Cumberland, but the leaves are generally longer and 
 more coriaceous, whilst the valves of the seed vessel are not so 
 prominent. I believe the wood is not suitable for any purpose, 
 excepting for fencing or burning. " The Bastard Box" near 
 Bathurst differs in some respects from the preceding variety, but 
 it is regarded as one of the very worst Avoods, for it decays very 
 soon after it has been cut, if exposed to the air. It attains a 
 considerable size, though not so large as some of the Eucalypti 
 of that district. The bark is very rough and brown, but it appears 
 subject to some variation, being sometimes coriaceous, and 
 sometimes fibrous. The Berrima variety inclines to the former, 
 and that of the mountains to the latter. A friend of mine states 
 that this gum is frequently destroyed by wet seasons. It seems 
 highly probable that under the name of E. Stuartiana, two dis- 
 tinct species are included, which hereafter must be referred to 
 separate sections. 
 
 (IS.) E. saligna is a Grey or Flooded Gum with rather a 
 drooping habit, and is remarkable for the variation in the shape 
 of the operculum, which is sometimes conical and sometimes 
 hemispherical. In the neighbourhood of Parramatta, this tree 
 
THE GENTTTS EUCALYPTUS. 231 
 
 does not attain a great size, and grows principally in low grounds 
 near the salt water. It occurs also between Parramatta and 
 Liverpool, and in the neighbourhood of Eichmond, as well as in 
 the county of Camden. In the latter district, it sometimes is 
 found 100 feet in height, but although a fine looking tree, the 
 wood is much inferior to that of the Grrey Grum {E. tereticornis). 
 
 (19.) E. maculata, or the Spotted Gum, is very well known by 
 the spotted or mottled appearance of the bark, and is one of our 
 handsomest gums, attaining the height of 100 feet and upwards. 
 This species is well defined by its double operculum and urn- 
 shaped seed vessel. Yery opposite opinions are expressed re- 
 specting the value of its wood, some asserting that in point of 
 utility, it is nearly equal to English Oak, whilst others affirm that it 
 is only serviceable as firewood. Sir William Macarthur described 
 the Spotted Gum, as " a good timber tree, with lofty straight 
 bole, in increasing reputation for ship-building, but not to be 
 compared for strength and durability with the best description 
 of Gums." Mr. Backhouse gives a more favourable opinion, and 
 practical men say that it may be used for the staves of casks, and 
 the upper parts of railway bridges. It is not a favourite wood 
 for fencing, as the rails and posts are reported to decay very soon, 
 but this want of durability probably arises from not removing 
 the sap wood. It seems very likely that the Spotted Gum varies 
 according to the age of the tree, and other accidental circum- 
 stances, whilst the prevalence of this tree in any particular 
 district generally indicates a poor soil. 
 
 The half-barked trees may be considered under the following 
 species : (1) E. virgata ; (2) E. ohtusiflora ; (3) E. pilularis ; (4) 
 E. hicolor ; (5) E. hemiphloia ; (6) E. hracliypoda ; (7) E. longi- 
 folia ; (8) E. diversifoUa ; and (9) E. oleosa. 
 
 (1.) E. virgata or the Mountain Ash is a fine tree, sometimes 
 120 feet in height, and usually growing in rocky situations on 
 the Blue Mountains, near Berrima, &c. The lower part of the 
 tree is covered with a fibrous barli, whilst the branches are 
 smooth. It is said that the wood makes better staves for casks, 
 than the Spotted Gum does, and that it may also be advan- 
 tageously employed for shafts, rough carpenter's work, and 
 fencing. 
 
 (2.) E. ohtusijlora is an inferior kind of Box or Blackbut, 
 
232 A CONTEIErXION TO ETC. 
 
 resembling some of the half barked varieties of the White Grum 
 (^E. hosmastoma), but having larger flowers and an ovoid-truncate 
 seed-vessel,sometimes more than half an inch long. Mr. Backhouse 
 procured flovrering specimens of this gum in Bargo Brush, and 
 from the same quarter Sir William Macarthur obtained specimens 
 of the wood. The wood is of very little value, being similar in 
 character to that of the AVhite Gum. If it were not for the 
 different shape of the seed vessel, I should regard JE. obtusi/lora, 
 as a mere variety of JS*. hosmastoma. This gum occurs on the Blue 
 Mountains. 
 
 (3.) U. pilularis or Blackbut is one of the largest and most 
 valuable species of the genus. At Bulli, a Blackbut was recently 
 found to be more than forty-six feet in circumference at five feet 
 from the but, and 150 feet to the first branches. The wood is 
 excellent for house carpentry, ship-building, and indeed for any 
 purpose where strength and durability are required. From ex- 
 periments made at the Universal Exhibition, held in Paris in 1855, 
 it w^as ascertained that the specific gravity of Blackbut is 0*897, 
 and that next to the " Eough barked Iron Bark," no species of 
 Eucalyptus is known to bear a greater crushing strain in the 
 direction of the fibre. This tree prefers a good soil, and is rapid 
 in its growth. Mr. Bentham places the " White Mahogany" {E. 
 acmenoides) with the Blackbut, expressing, however, some doubt 
 as to the propriety of regarding the former as a mere variety. 
 The White Mahogany has a persistent bark similar to Stringy 
 Bark, though not so fibrous, and by some collectors, it has evi- 
 dently been mistaken for that tree. No one who has had an 
 opportunity of seeing the Blackbut and White Mahogany grow- 
 ing in proximity to each other, would regard them as allied species, 
 for they difier in bark, foliage, and inflorescence, whilst the wood 
 varies in grain and colour. 
 
 (4.) E. hicolor comprises several varieties of what workmen 
 call " Bastard Box" or " Yellow^ Box." There is a great similiarity 
 between the flowers and seed vessels of this species, and those of 
 the narrow leaved variety of Iron Bark. Hence it is not sur- 
 prising to find that Mr. Bentham associates some of Caley's 
 specimens of Iron Bark Math the Bastard Box. I suppose this 
 species derives its specific name from the grey and white patches 
 on the bark, which in some places, give it the appearance of a 
 
THE GENTS ETJCiXYPTUS. 233 
 
 White G-um, and in others of a Grey G-um. In swampy places 
 in the Cabramatta district, this is a very large tree reaching 80 or 
 100 feet in height. When young, the upper branches are 
 smooth, and the lower part of the tree is half-barked like the 
 Box. As it gets older, nearly all the bark falls off. Workmen 
 suppose the Bastard Box to be a cross between the Box and the 
 Grey Gum, as in its youth, it has the appearance of the former, 
 and in its old age, of the latter. The wood is very hard, good 
 for fencing, shafts, poles, cogs, &c., and it is exceedingly durable. 
 Sometimes it grows in company with Grey Gum and the Box, 
 but in some parts of the country, it stands alone. The leaves 
 resemble some forms of the Grey Gum, but the seed-vessel is 
 more hemispherical and has the valves inserted, resembling in that 
 respect the true Box, though the capsules are not so deeply sunk. 
 The little umbels of flowers are either simple, or in axillary or 
 lateral racemes on the upper branches, having the petiole longer 
 than the peduncle, and the operculum much shorter than in the 
 Box or Grey Gum. The leaves vary in shape, but generally they 
 are lanceolate, two or three inches long, with the nerve removed 
 from the margin, so as sometimes to give the appearance of being 
 three nerved at the base. On this side of the Blue Mountains, 
 the seed vessel is more frequently five celled, but the Yellow Box 
 near Bathurst differs slightly in that respect. The trees, how- 
 ever, appear to belong to the same species, and the wood of the 
 Mountain variety is also reported to be excellent. It is very hard 
 and heavy, and exceedingly durable, being well adapted for posts, 
 but not so well for rails, on account of the difficulty in splitting 
 it. I think that Sir William Macarthur's " Bastard Box," No. 
 13, must be referred to the same species. He remarks, " It is an 
 excellent timber, but the tree is of most unsightly appearance, 
 and almost invariably hollow or decayed at heart before attaining 
 full stature. The wood is greatly prized for plough-beams, poles 
 and shafts of drays and carts, spokes of wheels, &c." In the 
 Mudgee district, there is another variety called " Slaty Gum," 
 which is useful for weather boards, fencing, and wheelwright's 
 work. It is reported to be next to Iron Bark in durability, and 
 does not crack from exposure to the sun. 
 
 (5.) E. hemiphloia is the tree well known to the colonists as 
 " Box," and in many parts of Australia, is widely diffused and 
 E E 
 
234 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 generally indicates a good grazing country. The specific ;iame 
 of this tree is rather unfortunate, as many other species are also 
 half-barked. In the Illavvarra district, the Box sometimes rises 
 to the height of 180 feet, with a diameter varying from 48 to 72 
 inches, and the timber is reported to be of first rate quality for 
 size, hardness, toughness, and durability, (Sir. W. Macarthur.) 
 It is also " an excellent wood for domestic use, as it burns with 
 great brilliancy, and emits a large amount of heat," but it does 
 not stand long in the ground, as it sufiers from dry rot and white 
 ant. The specific gravity is 1129. Dr. F. Mueller applied the 
 name leucoxylon to this species of Eucalyptus, and in the Report 
 of the Victorian Exhibition (1861), the Box is always called E. 
 leucoxylon. From a remark in the Fragmenta Fhytographice 
 Australice, vol. 2, p. 175, it seems that the Doctor intended to 
 separate from the species, those varieties of Iron Bark, which 
 from similarity of flowers and seed vessels, he had previously 
 associated with it. In the Flora Ajistr alien sis, the red flowering 
 Iron Bark is referred to E. leucoxylon, and our Box to E. hemiphloia, 
 but certainly if we regard the colour of the wood, the term 
 leucoxylon is more applicable to the Box than to the Iron Bark. 
 
 (6.) E. brackypoda is a small tree probably the same as that 
 called " Goborro, Coorkaroo, or Dwarf Box." Sir T. Mitchell, 
 vol. 2, p. 54, remarks, " The small kind of Eucalyptus, covered 
 with a rough bark, and never exceeding the size of fruit trees in 
 an orchard, and called, T believe, by Mr. Oxley, " the dwarf Box," 
 but by the natives, " Goborro," grows onlj* on plains subject to 
 inundation, and it usually bears on the lower part of the trunk, 
 the mark of the water by which it is at times surrounded* * * 
 The " Goborro" seldom grows on the banks of a running stream, 
 but seems to thrive in inundations, however long their duration." 
 
 (7.) E. longifolia is usually called " "Woollybut," though in 
 some districts, it is called " Peppermint" or " Bastard Box." 
 Probably the name " Peppermint" was given to this tree from 
 the fact of the leaves containing a great quantity of volatile oil 
 with the flavour of Peppermint. It is a very fine tree with leaves 
 exceeding a foot in length. The flowers are rather large, and 
 usually in threes, although a variety sometimes occurs with the 
 flowers smaller and in greater numbers. There is no species of 
 Eacaly^tu9 near Sydney with a better defined seed-vessel, When 
 
THE GENUS EITCALTPTT7S. 235 
 
 fully developed, it measures more than three quarters of an inch 
 in length, and two-thirds of an inch in diameter, being four-celled, 
 with the valves not protruding beyond the broad oblique rim. 
 The volatile oil of the leaves possesses remarkable properties, but 
 the wood is not much esteemed, excepting for firewood. It is 
 sometimes split for fencing, and rough carpenter's work, although 
 the timber is by no means durable. Sir "William Macarthur 
 states that the Woollybut of Illawarra is in very high repute for 
 wheelwright's work, and Dr. F. Mueller, in referring to the same 
 species in Q-ippsland, not only confirms the previous statement, 
 but says that it has a high character for durability when used for 
 fencing purposes. The differenca of the wood may probably 
 arise from some peculiarity of the soil. It is stated that the fibre 
 of the bark is adapted for packing paper. 
 
 (8.) E. diversifolia. I have ventured to separate the " Camden 
 Woollybut" from "the Manna Grum" {E. viminalis), with which 
 it has been associated, because the trees diff'er so much frora each 
 other in bark, habit, &c. The Camden Woollybut resembles in 
 some respects the Woollybut of other districts, having the lower 
 part of the tree covered with fibrous bark, and the upper branches 
 smooth. The inflorescence, however, and the leaves are very 
 diflterent, being sometimes narrow-lanceolate and alternate, and 
 sometimes cordate or ovate-acuminate, sessile, and opposite. 
 The buds and seed-vessels are small, generally eight in each 
 axillary or lateral umbel. This species is common in the neigh- 
 bourhood of Berrima, and attains the height of 80 feet, but 
 beautiful as the form of the tree is, the wood is said to be 
 indiflferent. 
 
 (9.) E. oleosa is a shrub or small tree, the bark of the trunk 
 rough and persistent, that of the branches smooth, {F. Mueller). 
 It occurs principally in the desert of the Murray, and forms a 
 considerable portion of what is termed the " Mallee Scrub." 
 This species bears some resemblance to E. dumosa, but according 
 to Mr. Bentham, it is well distinguished by the longer pedicels, 
 the shape of the calyx, the thinner operculum, and the shape of 
 the fruit. 
 
 The section of the BhytipliloicB, or the trees with wrinkled, 
 furrowed, and persistent bark, comprises the following species :. 
 (1.) E.microcorys; (2.) E. ;polyanthemos ; (3.) E. pulvemlenta j 
 
236 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 (4.) E. cinerea ; (5.) E. acmenioides ; (6.) E. rolusta ; (7.) E. 
 hotryoides; (8.) E. resinife^'a and var. ffrandiflora ; (9.) E. coiym- 
 hosa; and (10.) E. eximia. 
 
 (1.) E. onicrocorys is a tree of the Mahogany kind, growing at 
 Port Macquarie, and in the North- Western Interior. The 
 flowers resemble those of the White Gum {E. licBmastomd), 
 but the bark is altogether different. Not having seen this species 
 in a living state, I feel uncertain about the place it should occupy 
 in the cortical system, but from the fact of its having bark and 
 foliage similar to the White Mahogany, I am inclined to regard 
 it as a variety of E. acmenioides. It is probable that E. microcorys 
 is of the same kind as that collected at Brisbane Water for the 
 Paris Exhibition (No. 45, see Catalogue.) 
 
 (2.) E. polyanthemos is a tree of moderate size, occurring on 
 the banks of the Nepean, and other parts of Eastern Australia. 
 It is called " Lignum vita)," " Poplar- '.eaved Gum," or "Bastard 
 Box." It has a thick rough bark, and the wood, which is of a 
 brown colour towards the centre, is very hard and tough. 
 
 (3.) E. pulverulenta, and (4.) E. cinerea seem to be two varieties 
 of the small tree usually called "Argyle Apple." It is similar 
 in appearance to AngopJiora suhvelutina or the " Apple" of the 
 colonists, as the leaves are opposite, and the bark furrowed and 
 wrinkled, but the seed-vessel is very different, being sub-globose 
 truncate, not contracted at the orifice, and not marked by any 
 prominent ribs. In the neighbourhood of Berrima, this tree 
 grows on rocky or stony places of the sandstone formation. 
 
 (5.) E. acmenioides is arranged by Mr. Bentham, as a variety 
 of E. pilularis or the " Blackbut," but at the same time he ex- 
 presses an opinion that it may probably be a distinct species. 
 There can be no doubt as to its being perfectly distinct from E. 
 pihclarisj as the trees belong to different sections of the cortical 
 system, and the flowers, leaves, and seed vessels of E. acmenioides 
 or "the White Mahogany," are smaller than those of the " Black- 
 but." This species approaches nearer to the " Stringy Bark," 
 and indeed, is sometimes mistaken for it, but the bark is not so 
 fibrous, nor are the leaves so oblique, whilst the specific gravity 
 of the w^ood is much greater. " White Mahogany" is plentiful 
 to the north of Parramatta, and in many parts of Eastern Aus- 
 tralia, near the coast. The timber is useful for building purposes, 
 
THE GEiniS EUCALYPTUS. 237 
 
 palings, <fec., and wlien nicely planed has an ornamental appearance. 
 
 (6.) E. rohusta, or the " Swamp Mahogany ," is a very large 
 tree, sometimes more than 100 feet in height and five feet in 
 diameter, growing generally in low and marshy places. It is 
 common in the neighbourhood of Sydney, but in the process of 
 cultivation, the larger trees have nearly disappeared, excepting 
 from such places as the Manly Swamps, &c. The same species, 
 however, occurs in other parts of the colony. The flowers of 
 this tree are large, and the seed-vessel sometimes more than half 
 an inch in length, with the capsule deeply sunk. In the young 
 trees, the leaves are large and glossy. The wood is*Qot so much 
 valued as that of many Eucalypti, as it is not considered durable, 
 but, nevertheless, it may be used for rough furniture, and inside 
 works. Opinions respecting its durability when placed in the 
 ground, are rather conflicting. 
 
 (7.) E. hotryoides is the "Bastard Mahogany," or "Bang- 
 alay" of workmen, and as far as I have observed, grows only in 
 sandy places near the sea. It has a gnarled appearance, being 
 usually of crooked growth, and never attaining any great height. 
 The flowers are nearly as large as those of the preceding species, 
 and are sessile on the branchlets. This tree is plentiful at Manly 
 Beach, and the wood is not only used for firing, but also for the 
 knees and crooked timbers of vessels. 
 
 (8.) E. rednifera is sometimes called " Eed," and sometimes 
 " Forest Mahogany," the first name being taken from the colour 
 of the wood, and the second from the fact of its being found as 
 a forest tree some distance from the coast. I believe that the 
 specific name was originally applied to that species of Iron Bark 
 which produces " Botany Bay Kino," but from circumstances of 
 a technical nature, Mr. Bentham has now limited it to the Eed 
 Mahogany. The fact is, that the flowers of the " Eed Mahogany," 
 " Eed Iron Bark," and " Leather Jacket," are so much alike, 
 that it is exceedingly difficult to distinguish them, although the 
 three species are quite distinct and must stand in different sections. 
 In the Parramatta District, the flowers and seed-vessels of the 
 " Eed Mahogany" are small, but in the Swamps at Manly, I have 
 noticed a variety with large flowers, and a seed-vessel half an 
 inch in diameter. The wood of this species is very strong and 
 durable, and is extensively used for fencing, beams, rafters, and 
 
238 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 rough work. It may be mentioned as a remarkable instance of 
 its durability, tbat some rafters of it which were placed in St. 
 John's Church, Parramatta, (the Church of the Eev. Samuel 
 Marsden), in 1798, were found in a perfect state of preservation 
 in 1852, when the Church was pulled down. Some portions of 
 these rafters were dressed up and forwarded to the Paris Exhibi- 
 tion in 1855. 
 
 (9.) E. corymhosa is another species common near Sydney, and 
 is usually called " Bloodwood" from the blood-like resin which 
 exudes from the concentric circles of the tree Near Port Jack- 
 son, the trees appear stunted, but farther inland, they sometimes 
 attain the height of 120 feet, and afford material for fencing and 
 firewood. As the tree is rapid in growth, the wood is usually 
 soft, especially in the younger trees, but as they attain greater 
 age, it becomes much harder, and is said to stand well in damp 
 ground. Sir "William Macarthur states that it is a useless sort 
 of timber, but Mr. Moore, in referring to specimens from the 
 Clarence and Eichmond Forests, says that the timber is of great 
 strength, and very durable, both in and out of the ground, and 
 that it is used principally for posts and beams. The seeds of 
 this species are winged. 
 
 (10.) E. exhnia is the " Mountain Bloodwood." I regarded it 
 simply as a variety of the species near Sydney, but in the late re- 
 view of the genus by Mr. Bentham, that eminent Botanist, judging 
 from some specimens which I had collected near the Grose, has 
 determined it to be a distinct species, more nearly allied to E. 
 maculata, " Spotted Gum," than to the Port Jackson " Bloodwood." 
 The flowers are large and corymbose, and the operculum is double, 
 whilst the seed-vessel is of an urn-shape, nearly an inch long 
 with the capsule deeply sunk. At the Clarence and Eichmond 
 Elvers, the " Bloodwood" prevails to a great extent, and the work- 
 men reckon two kinds, the one with smooth, and the other, with 
 rough bark, but Mr. Moore regarded them as mere varieties of 
 one species, it seems probable that the Mountain " Bloodwood" 
 which overhangs the valley of the Grose, is different from the 
 Bloodwood of the North. 
 
 The fourth section comprises those species of Eucalyptus, which 
 have the bark fibrous, and persistent, for the most part, on the 
 trunk and the branches. Of this kind, the common " Stringy 
 
THE GENUS EIJCAIYPTUS. 239 
 
 Bark may be regarded as the type, but the section will also 
 include the " Messmate," ^' Peppermints," and probably the 
 fibrous variety of the Mountain " Bastard Box." The species 
 enumerated by Mr. Bentham, are ; (1.) E. amygdalina ; (2) E. 
 ohliqua ; (3.) E. dives ; (4.) E. capitella ; (5.) E. macrorhynclia ; 
 (6.) E. piperita ; (7.) E. stricta ; and probably, the rough barked 
 E. Stuartiana. 
 
 (1.) E. amygdalina, or the Almond-leaved Eucalyptus, is the 
 " Messmate," a tree very like " Stringy Bark," but having the 
 upper branches smooth. This tree grows on the Mittagong Eange, 
 and attains nearly 200 feet in height. Its wood is not much 
 valued. . A friend of mine says " that this is the most troublesome 
 tree that the settlers in that quarter have to do with, as the bole 
 is so very irregular, being deeply indented, and forming clefts or 
 " pockets," as the settler^ term them. These are caused by the 
 form of the roots, extending a long way upwards, something like 
 the fig. The settlers have to erect stages when they "ring" the 
 larger trees, so as to get at a more even surface. They find it 
 impossible to follow the indentations, so as to cut through the 
 bark in the hollows." The free selectors on the Rauge find great 
 difficulty in clearing the ground where the " Messmate" prevails, 
 and when the trees are very large, they adopt the system I have 
 mentioned of cutting the bark as near the but as possible with a 
 view of killing those which they cannot fell. I think that this 
 species has been confused with the " Stringy Bark" {E. ohliqua\ 
 a tree which prevails to a much greater extent in New South 
 Wales, and which was amongst the first noticed and described 
 by the early Botanists (Willdenoio) . It was probably found on 
 the spot where Sydney now stands, but the " Messmate" is a 
 sub-alpine species, and does not occur in the county of Cumber- 
 land. In the " Messmate," the leaves are not so thick as in the 
 Stringy Bark, nor are they so oblique at the base. The flower 
 buds are smaller, the operculum more hemispherical in shape and 
 somewhat mucronulate, whilst the seed-vessel is more globose. 
 In a dried specimen, there is much difficulty in distinguishing 
 between the true E. amygdalina, and the Eiver White Gum {E. 
 o'adiata), which Mr. Bentham has united with it. The flower buds, 
 however, of the River White Gum are much more numerous, and 
 the leaves are sometimes opposite. No one who has had an oppor- 
 
240 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 tunity of examining both trees in a living state, would suppose them 
 to be allied, as they vary so much from each other in bark and 
 habit. 
 
 (2.) E. ohliqua ; (4.) E. capitella ; and (5.) E. onacrorhynclia, 
 are, I believe, different forms of " Stringy Bark," varying accord- 
 ing to the soil and elevation in which they grow, and according to 
 theirproximitytothesea-coast. Sir William Macarthur forwarded 
 to the Exhibition four varieties of the wood from trees ranging 
 between 100 and 120 feet in height. Some of these woods were 
 reported to be excellent for house-carpentry, such as flooring 
 boards, battens, &c., whilst others were considered inferior in 
 quality. In some parts of the colony, the " Stringy Bark" is 
 valued for fencing purposes, and according to Dr. Mueller, it 
 " constitutes the main mass of the forests of our more barren 
 mountains, the height of trees of greatest size ranging from 300 
 to 400 feet." The Doctor also states, " the paper prepared from 
 the bark of this tree is not merely suited for packing, but also 
 for printing, and even writing. It may also be employed for 
 mill and paste boards. The pulp bleaches readily. I regard it 
 as the most important material drawn on this occasion into use, 
 for be it remembered that this tree covers many of the barren 
 ranges from St. Vincent's Gulf to Gipps-land, and that it equally 
 abounds in Tasmania. Its bark, as is well known, is extremely 
 thick and bulky : it moreover, separates with the utmost facility, 
 and is hence universally used for thatching rural dwellings in or 
 near the ranges. Indeed, the supply is available by millions of 
 tons. * * * * It yields readily to mechanical appliances 
 on account of its lax and loose texture, and is also easily acted 
 on by caustic soda for conversion into pulp." In addition to the 
 ordinary purposes to which the Stringy Bark is applied in these 
 colonies, I may mention that it has been successfully manufac- 
 tured into door-mats. The flower buds and seed-vessels are subject 
 to considerable variation, the former being sometimes hemis- 
 pherical and sometimes conical ; and the latter being sometimes 
 pedicelled and sometimes sessile, those near the coast being much 
 larger and -inclined to a globular shape. 
 
 (3.) E. dives, and (6.) E. piperita, are two of the species called 
 " Peppermints," the first being a small tree with opposite or 
 alternate leaves, and the latter a very large one resembling 
 
THE GENUS EUCALYPTUS. 241 
 
 " Stringy Bark." E. dives occurs on the Blue Mountains, and 
 the Mittagong Eange. The leaves vary very much in shape and 
 size, being either sessile, opposite and cordate, or ovate-lanceolate, 
 on the same tree, whilst the seed-vessel is globose-truncate, about 
 two lines in diameter, four-celled, with a broad rim, and the cap- 
 sule sunk, the valves scarcely protruding. E. dives does not exceed 
 ten or twelve feet in height, and the wood is not esteemed. E. 
 piperita is a large tree growing near Sydney, on the Blue Moun- 
 tains, &c., &c., and the bark is fibrous and persistent, excepting 
 on the upper branches. The flower buds and seed-vessels are 
 small for so large a tree, the latter being somewhat of an ovoid 
 shape not exceeding three lines in diameter. This species yields 
 an agreeable volatile oil, though not to the same extent as the 
 Woolly but {E. longifolid). The wood and bark are inferior to 
 those of the " Stringy Bark." 
 
 (7.) E. stricta is a shrubby species with linear-lanceolate leaves 
 of a leathery texture, and the veins scarcely visible. It forms 
 brushes in the elevated parts of the Blue Mountains, and is the 
 E. microphylla of Cunningham. 
 
 To this section, the fibrous species mentioned under E. Stuarti- 
 ana, must be added. It is a tree resembling the " Peppermint," 
 or the " Messmate," but called " Bastard Box," though differing 
 widely from the species more generally known by that name 
 amongst workmen, and not remarkable for the hardness of the 
 wood, The last section comprises those species which have the 
 bark hard, solid, and deeply furrowed. The following are enume- 
 rated by the learned authors of the Flora Australiensis : (1.) E. 
 leucoxylon; (2.) E. paniculata; (3.) E. crehra / (4.J E. siderophloia; 
 and (5.) E. melanophloia. 
 
 (1.) E. leucoxylon is the tree known as the " Eed-flowering," 
 or " Black Iron Bark," and although not so much esteemed as 
 two other species of " Iron Bark," it is nevertheless a very fine 
 tree, and exceedingly interesting from the colour of its flowers. 
 There has evidently been some misunderstanding respecting the 
 specific name, as it implies a tree with white wood, whereas the 
 species in question is remarkable for the dark colour of its wood. 
 It seems to me that E. leucoxylon was intended for some tree of 
 the Box kind, and that in all probability the Eed-flowering Iron 
 Bark should be referred to E. melliodora. I am led to this con- 
 
242 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 elusion from having noticed tlie delicious honey -like odour of the 
 flowers, and also from the fact mentioned by Mr. Bentham, that 
 the Cumberland variety of the species seems almost to pass into 
 E. melliodora. The flowers are large, and resemble those of the 
 peach, and the seed-vessel, which is of a globular-truncate shape, 
 is usually six-celled. This tree may be found between Liverpool 
 and Parramatta, and at the South Creek, but some of the finest 
 trees occur beyond Mudgee and other parts of the interior, as 
 Cunningham and Eraser noticed many years ago. Sir "William 
 Macarthur, judging from the specimens seen near Pairfield, re- 
 ported the species as not exceeding 60 feet in height, and 18 to 30 
 inches in diameter, and scarcely to be considered valuable for 
 timber. I am assured, however, by friends residing in the neigh- 
 bourhood of Mudgee, that the trees attain a much greater size in 
 that locality, and that they afibrd a most excellent timber for 
 fencing. "Within thirty miles of Mudgee, there is a variety of 
 this species with white flowers, and leaves more glaucous and 
 coriaceous than in the preceding. The same Iron Bark also 
 occurs on the Lachlan. 
 
 (2.) JE. paniculata, and E. creh^a : These are mere varieties of 
 the "White Iron Bark," one of the most valuable trees in the 
 colony. The specific gravity of the wood is 1*016, and the break- 
 ing weight or transverse strain, beam four feet between bearings, 
 1| square, 4519 lbs. Sir "William Macarthur reported that the 
 White or Pale Iron Bark from lUawarra, was the most valuable 
 of all the Iron Barks, remarkable for its smooth uniform outer 
 bark, and its very hard, tough, inlocked strong wood. This is 
 the general character of the species, although the wood is subject 
 to some variation. The wood is highly esteemed by coachmakers 
 and wheelwrights for the poles and shafts of carriages, and the 
 spokes of wheels, and a great quantity has lately been used for 
 piles in constructing wharves, and also for sleepers on railways. 
 In former years, some large trees of the Pale Iron Bark flourished 
 near Parramatta, rising to 150 feet in height, and measuring 16 
 feet in circumference. The presence of Iron Bark generally 
 indicates a poor and indiflerent soil. I feel no hesitation in 
 uniting E. paniculata and E. crebra as one species, although there 
 is an occasional difference in the quality of the wood, and in the 
 size of the flower buds, as well as in the texture of the leaves, 
 
TUE GENUS ETJCALYPTUS. 243 
 
 In the form angiistifolia, the flowers are very small, and bear a 
 great resemblance to those of E. hieolor or the " Bastard Box." 
 The operculum, in some varieties, is obtuse and hemispherical, and 
 in others, conical, but the seed-vessel is uniformly of the same 
 shape, though differing in size. 
 
 (4.) U. siderophloia is the "Eed," or " large leaved Iron Bark," 
 formerly called E. resinifera, because it yields the brown gum, or 
 Botany Bay Kino, which is the inspissated juice of the tree. The 
 wood of this species, though not so tough as that of the preced- 
 ing species, is considered one of the strongest and most durable 
 timbers of the colony. According to Sir "William Macarthur, 
 there are two distinct varieties of E. sideropliloia, one of them 
 being distinguished by its "very rough bark, in broad, deep, 
 longitudinal furrows, its very broad leaves, its smooth bark on the 
 young branches, and the different grain of the wood." Both of 
 them vary from 80 to 120 feet in height, and from 24 to 48 inches 
 in circumference. The specific name is rather unfortunate, as it is 
 applicable to almost all the '"' Iron Barks." In a dried specimen, 
 it is difficult to distinguish this species from the "Eed Mahogany" 
 and t^ie " Leather Jacket," as all three of them have the oper- 
 culum longer than other species, and there is a similarity in the 
 shape of the seed-vessels. They are, however, easily distinguished 
 by the bark. The wood of E. siderophloia is of a darker colour 
 than that of E. paniculata, and the leaves are uniformly larger. 
 
 (5.) E. onelanopliloia is the " Silver-leaved" or " Broad-leaved 
 Iron Bark" of the northern parts of this colony. It occurs on 
 Liverpool plains, on the Dawson, Grilbert, and Burnett rivers &e. 
 This is a much smaller tree than any of the other Iron Barks, 
 and is readily distinguished by its sessile, opposite leaves, which 
 are glaucous or mealy white. Mr Bentham regards this as being 
 very nearly allied to E. crehra, of which he supposes it may prove 
 an opposite leaved variety. Although there is some similarity 
 in the trees, they differ not only in foliage but in habit, and 
 whilst the wood of the one is highly esteemed, that of the other 
 is not valued by practical men. Sir T. Mitchell noticed this 
 " Iron Bark" growing on the Karrau, and supposed it to be 
 allied to E. puhi(/era, or the " Argyle Apple," and it is not a little 
 remarkable, that Mr. Bentham mentions its resemblance to E^ 
 cinerea, a species which Dr. E. Mueller associates with the same. 
 
244 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 The two trees, however, are perfectly distinct, and according 
 to the cortical system, must stand in separate sections. 
 
 In my remarks on the species indigenous in New South "Wales, 
 it is probable that I may have omitted a few of the species which 
 approach Victoria on the one side, and Queensland on the other ,but 
 with the exception of E. odorata, which from imperfect specimens 
 forwarded to me, appears to exist on the Lachlan, I am not aware 
 of having passed over any EucalyptiLS of much importance either 
 to the practical or the commercial man. There is no doubt im- 
 mense difficulty in fixing tbe limits of the species, especially those 
 which are subject to much variation, and are not so well known 
 as the trees that have long been observed in the settled parts of 
 the colony. The publication of the third volume of the Flora 
 Australiensis has cleared up many difficulties for us, and although 
 there are certainly some inaccuracies in the grouping of the 
 species, and in the amalgamation of species which must be re- 
 garded as distinct, yet we are now enabled to arrange systemati- 
 cally many of the trees which were only known previously by 
 their popular names. It is satisfactory to determine from Mr. 
 Bentham's descriptions the species collected in the early days of 
 the colony, most of which probably flourished on the spot where 
 Sydney now stands, and which, until the arrival of the Flora 
 Australiensis J were called by different scientific names according 
 to the taste of different authors. In the " Species Plantariim,'' 
 published by AVildenow, in 1799, twelve species oi Eucalyptus d.vQ 
 described, but the descriptions are so short and inadequate, that 
 persons studying the genus could derive very little information 
 from them without some knowledge of the respective trees, and 
 the bark with which they are clothed. These species are arranged 
 according to the shape of the operculum, six being placed in the 
 section ^' op)erculo conico,'' and six in that of ^^ operculo Jicemis. 
 ptlicorico.'" This method of grouping appeared the best to the 
 early Botanists, but as I have already shown, it does not meet 
 every case, as some trees varj^ considerably in the shape of the 
 operculum, even on the same individual. In Wildenow's first 
 section, the species are (1.) E. rolusta, or " Swamp Mahogany" ; 
 (2.) E. pilularis, or " Blackbut" ; (3.) E. tereticornis, including 
 " Grey Grum," " Hickory," and "Bastard Box" (4.) E. resinifera, 
 originally applied to the " Bed Iron Bark," but now given to the 
 
THE GEKUS EUCALYPTUS. 245 
 
 " Eed Mahogany" ; (5.) E. capitella, the stunted variety of 
 " Stringy Bark" growing near the sea-side ; and (6.) JE. saligna, 
 a " Grrey" or "Flooded Grum" with rather a drooping habit. 
 The second section comprises, (1.) E. hotryoides, or the " Bastard 
 Mahogany"; (2.) E. hamastoma, or the "White Gum," some 
 forms of which are remarkable for the broad red margin of the 
 seed-vessel ; (3.) E. piperita, or the " Peppermint" ; (4.) E. 
 ohli(iica, or the " Stringy Bark," not specifically distinct from 
 E. capitella; (o.) E. corymlosa, or " Bloodwood" ; and (6.) E. 
 paniciilata, or the " Pale or White Iron Bark." Specimens of 
 these trees were first taken to Europe by Dr. White (the author 
 of "White's A^oyage to New South AVales,") and others who 
 visited Port Jackson shortly after the foundation of the colony, 
 and the descriptions are intimately connected with our early 
 history, as being intended to make known in Europe the species 
 which formerly grew where Sydney now stands. The same 
 species, notwithstanding the havoc that has been committed 
 amongst our Eucalijpti, may still be found within a few miles of 
 our capital. In the early days of the colony, it was too much 
 the practice to clear and burn off indiscriminately, and that not 
 merely in the immediate vicinity of Sydney, but on most" of the 
 grants of land on which Europeans settled. It was the custom 
 to employ gangs of prisoners on this work, and farms may be 
 seen in the county of Cumberland, on which scarcely a tree has 
 been left. I have heard some of the older settlers lament the 
 destruction of the gum trees, and express an opinion that many 
 of the Eucalypti which were destroyed so inconsiderately in the 
 process of clearing the ground, should have been preserved, — or 
 at all events, those kinds which are adapted for the purposes of 
 building. As railroads extend into the country, facilities will be 
 aftbrded for the transmission of timber to Sydney, and settlers 
 will see the policy of saving the most valued of their trees, not 
 merely for aff'ording a shelter for their cattle from the scorching rays 
 of the sun, but in the hope of realizing a good price for those woods 
 which are becoming scarce near the metropolis. The genus, in- 
 deed, is one of immense interest, not only to the systematic 
 Botanist, who is aiming at the best method of distinguishing the 
 species, but to the practical man who desires to turn our noble 
 forests to the most profitable account. It is only of late years 
 
246 A CONTEIBTJTION TO, ETC. 
 
 that some of the species have obtained favourable notice in 
 Europe for the strength and durability of their timber, and whilst 
 much remains to be developed with regard to their adaptation to 
 the purposes of the artisan, the observations of scientific men will 
 render more evident the inexhaustible resources our Gum trees 
 afford to medicine and the arts. The astringent properties of the 
 bark and resins of some species have already been acknowledged in 
 the Pharmacopa^ia, and recent experiments have proved that 
 the volatile oils contained in the leaves are highly valuable, whilst 
 the wood yields " charcoal, crude wood, vinegar, tar, and incon- 
 densible gases."* In fact, the consideration of the genus opens 
 questions of intense interest, whether viewed practically or sci- 
 entifically, and as our knowledge of the species increases, many 
 of the gum trees which at present are little esteemed, will be 
 regarded amongst the most valued of our vegetable productions, 
 and aftbrd abundant resources for the employment of labour and 
 capital. 
 
 * For some interesting particulars respecting the value of our Griim Trees, 
 %vc arc indebted to the " Documents relating to the Intercolonial Exliibition 
 1866-67, by Dr. Ferdinand Mueller, F.K.S." 
 
 NOTES 
 
 Page 3, Li]jfE 28. 
 According to the recent arrangement of the species oi Eucalyptus, 
 in the third volume of the Flora Australiensis, E. resinifera 
 is applied to the B-ed or Forest Mahogany, and E. rostrata to a 
 species not found in the Parramatta District. The Iron Bark 
 and Blue Gum, therefore, to which allusion is made, are E. 
 paniculata and E. sicleropMoia, " the "White and Eed Iron Barks," 
 and E. goniocalyx, the Blue Gum. 
 
NOTES. 247 
 
 Page 85. 
 
 Dr. F. Mueller has kindly furnished me with the following 
 note to my article on Ferns : Grammitis Miielleri (Crocodile 
 Creek, Bowman) ; Lycopoclium laterale (Rockingham Bay) ; 
 SchizcBa hifida (Eockingham Bay) ; AcrosticJium aureum L. (Rich- 
 mond Eiver, N.S.W., 'Henderson) ; LoTiiaria articulata, which 
 was supposed to be a new species, proves identical with L. euphle- 
 hia, an Indian fern described in the Species Filicum (vol. 3, p. 
 20). Grammitis decurrens is the true Indian plant, but in the 
 Kew Museum, it has been ascertained that it is identical with G. 
 elliptica (Thunberg). Lomaria Pater soni (George Bay, Tasmania, 
 Bissell) . Ophioglossum penduluon (Eockhampton on Platy cerium) . 
 A friend informs tne that on the Clarence, some of the fronds of 
 Asplenium nidus are seven feet long and one broad ! 
 
 At page 177, the Eubiaceous shrubs to which reference is 
 made are Canthium coprosmoides and Go'prosma hirtella. The 
 MuUacecB are not numerous in New South Wales, but in the 
 northern parts of Australia, the species occur frequently. In 
 the Ilora Australiensis, the genera are arranged in the following 
 order: (1) Sarcocephahos ; (2) Hedyotis; (3) Dentella ; (4) 
 Ophiorrhiza ; (5) Gardenia; (6) Bandia; (7) Wehera; (8) 
 Biplospora; (9) Ixora ; (10) Timonius; (11) Scypliipliora; 
 (12) Antirrhcea; (13) Guettar delta ; (14) Gueitarda ; (15) 
 Hodghinsonia ; (16) Oanthium ; (17) Morinda; (18) G(elo- 
 ^orum ; (19) Lasiantlus ; (20) Fsychotria ; (21) Goprosma ; (22) 
 Nertera; (23) Gpercutaria ; (24i) :Pomax; (25) JEleutJiranthes y 
 (26) Knoxia; {11) Spermacoce ; (28) Asperula ; and (29) Galium. 
 To these must be added two very remarkable plants recently dis- 
 covered at Cape York, by Captain Nares of H.M.S. Salamander, 
 viz., Myrmecodia armata, and Hydnophytum formicarum, which 
 were previously supposed to be indigenous only in Java, the 
 Moluccas, Sumatra, and Nusa-Kambangu. Ants form nests in 
 the tubers and roots of iJf. armata, and in the trunk or irregular 
 tubers of H. formicarum. 
 
 Page 181. 
 
 In referring to the plants from the Kurrajong, Hedycarya 
 Pseudomorus (probably the same as S. Cunni/ngTiami) is abundant. 
 Some persons call this tree " the Native Mulberry." It is a tree 
 of the MonimiacecB, and resembles another of the same order, 
 
248 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 WilTciea calyptrocalycc, which I have found at the Fox Ground 
 near Lane Cove. The genus Wilhiea was established by Dr. P. 
 Mueller, and it differs from Hedycao'ya in operculate female 
 flowers.' In the Doctor's work on the "Plants Indigenous to 
 the colony of Victoria," there is a good figure of iZ". ^^sez^^omon^s, 
 as well as of Soivittia trilocularis, a shrub of the Mallow Family, 
 with purple flowers, and a three celled capsule, resembling some 
 species of Solammi in appearance. Of the Ooodenia Family, I 
 have referred to several species on the mountains, which do not 
 occur near Parramatta, viz., Dampiera puiyiirea, D. ovalifolia, 
 Goodenia dccurrens, and Velleia perfol^ata. I have also collected 
 G. harlata at Monkey Creek in the county of Camden, and I 
 dare say it extends to the Mountains. The Goodeniacece, of 
 which there are many species in the immediate neighbourhood of 
 Sydney, may generally be distinguished by the fleshy, undivided, 
 or two lobed stigma, which is surrounded by a membranous cup. 
 The species of Goodenia are usually yellow, and those of Damj^iera^ 
 purple. Of the Papilionacece at the Kurrajong, may be men- 
 tioned Bossicea rliomhifolia, Daviesia mimosoides, and PodoloUum 
 staurifolium, the second of which is of frequent occurrence on the 
 Mittagong range, and possesses, as I have already remarked, a 
 bitter property very agreeable to horses. Utthus Moorei, (a plant 
 of the Easpberry kind), grows at the Kurrajong, and also on the 
 creeks at Lane Cove. It is nearly allied to the New Zealand 
 species i?. australis. The composite flower Heliclwysmii 
 elatum is common on many parts of the Blue Mountains. This 
 is the finest species of the genus in this part of the colony, and 
 is remarkable for its large flowers, the bracts of which are white 
 and like petals. 
 
 Two of the rarest composites in the Parramatta district, are 
 Lejptorliynclms linearis and L. squamatus, plants occurring also in 
 Victoria and Tasmania. The genus to which they belong, is, in 
 the opinion of Mr Bentham, scarcely different from Helklirymm, 
 excepting " in the involucral bracts with more thinly scarious 
 tips, neither spreading, nor petal-like, nor opaque, and in the con- 
 traction of the achene at the top." I am not aware whether X. 
 linearis has been collected on the Mountains, but X. squamatus 
 occurs there, and also near Bathurst. 
 
 Tetratheca thymifolia is a small under-shrub with purple flowers. 
 
KOirs. 249 
 
 by some botanists it is regarded as a variety of T. pilosa, wbicb 
 occurs near Sydney. Of the Dilleniacese, Fleurandra hractenta 
 and Hihhertia saligna are frequent, whilst Alphitonia excelsa of 
 the Ehamnere (a tree with large leaves generally smooth on the 
 upper surface, and white with tomentum beneath), and Ehretia 
 acuminata (a small tree with bunches of white flowers and brittle 
 wood), are common to the Blue Mountains and the neighbour- 
 hood of Cabramatta. Alania Cunninghami is a small plant of 
 the Lily family, first noticed by Allan Cunningham in 1818. It 
 has grassy, dry leaves, dilated at the base, and minute flowers. 
 This plant does not appear common, and as far as I am aware, 
 has not been found in the low country. Si/mphjonema montanum 
 is also a rare Proteaceous herb with tripartite leaves and spicate 
 flowers. S. paladosum occurs at lUawarra, and is nearly allied 
 to the preceding species. These plants are seldom seen in 
 collections. Jussicea repens, a marsh plant of the Onagrarie(p^ 
 may often be seen in the neighbourhood of Eichmond. The 
 composite Enhydra paludosa also grows in water, but I have 
 never found it far from the coast. In wet seasons. Sphagnum 
 obtusifolium, (the moss which is identical with that which aftbrds 
 much of the material for peat-fuel in Europe) may be found 
 abundantly in marshy places. I have lately received some speci- 
 mens of Psoralea adscendens from the Mittagong Bange. This 
 leguminous plant is reported to be injurious to cattle. 
 
 Page 196. 
 Q-napJialodes uUginosum does not occur amongst the composites 
 which I received from the Darling, but it has been collected 
 there, and I have also had specimens of it from the Lachlan. 
 Introduced composites seem to be spreading very much in some 
 parts of the colony. The Mexican plant Gymnosperma glutinosumj 
 has appeared again this season in an orchard at Parramatta, and 
 Soliva antJiemifolia, which Mr. Bentham regards as an introduced 
 plant, appears to have established itself in the county of Cumber- 
 land. This composite was noticed at an early period of the 
 colony's history. I have not found Symphyonema near Parramatta, 
 and, indeed, the Proteaceous plants of our district are not very 
 striking. This family is divided into (1) Numentacece, or nut- 
 producing ; and (2) Folliculares, or having a follicle ; i.e. & one- 
 valved, one-celled capsule opening lengthwise. Of the first 
 
 Q Q 
 
250 A CONTEIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 division, we have near Parramatta three genera, (1) Isopogon^ 
 (2) Conospermum, and (3) Persoonia ; and of the second, eight 
 genera, viz. (1) Orevilleay (2) Hakea, (3) Lamhertia, (4) Xylo- 
 melum, (5) Telopea, (6) Lomatia, (7) Stenocarpus, and (8) BanJcsia. 
 With the exception of Conospermum, which has only three 
 anthers, they all belong to the class Tetrandria^ order Monogynia 
 of Linnaeus. 
 
 (1.) Nv/mentacecB 
 
 (1.) Isopogon is so called from isos, equal, and pogon, a beard, 
 in reference to the comose nature of the strobilus or cone. Our 
 species is I. anemonifolius, but I. anetliifolius belongs also to New 
 South "Wales. 
 
 (2.) Conospermum. This plant derives its name from the 
 somewhat conical shape of its seeds, ( Gonos, a cone, and sperma 
 seed). C. longifolia is common near Parramatta. 
 
 (3.) Fersoonia, named after C. H. Persoon, has edible fruits. 
 The species here are P. pinifolia, P. salicina, P. ferruginea^ P. 
 lanceolata, and P. oblongata. 
 
 (2.) Follicular es. 
 
 (1.) Grevlllea is a large genus of which 38 species were known 
 to E. Brown. It was named after the Eight Hon. Charles 
 Greville. Our species are G. linearis, G. sericea, G. mucronulataj 
 and G. juniperina. 
 
 (2.) Halcea takes its name from Baron Hake of Hanover. 
 We have three species H. acicularisy H. saligna, and H. dactyloides, 
 The follicles are hard and woody, each containing two winged 
 seeds. 
 
 (3. ) Lambertia. The species near Sydney and Parramatta is 
 L.formosa. Some people call it "Honey-flower," as they are 
 in the habit of sucking the honey-like liquid from the corolla. It 
 is named after A. L. Lambert, Esq., P.E.S. 
 
 (4.) Xylomelum pyriforme is the far famed Wooden Pear, from 
 Xylon, wood, and melon, an apple. 
 
 (5.) Telopea speciosissima, is the beautiful Waratah or Native 
 Tulip, of which I have already made mention, 
 
 (6.) Lomatia derives its name from the winged edge of the 
 seeds (loma, an edge). The species are L. salaifoUa, and L, 
 longifolia. The first of these is ratber ornamental, with white 
 flowers and leaves bipinnatifid. 
 
KOTES 251 
 
 (7.) Stenooarpus (from stenos^ narrow, and carpos^ fruit) haa 
 S. salignus common on the sides of creeks to the north of Parra- 
 matta. Some of the most beautiful of the order, such as 
 Grevillea rohusta, Stenooarpus Cunninghami, &c., occur in the 
 northern parts of New South Wales, but with the exception of 
 Telopea, none of our species are ornamental. 
 
 (8.) Banhsia is named after the distinguished naturalist Sir 
 Joseph Banks. We have B. serrata, B. integrifolia, B. ericifoliaj 
 B. amula, and B. spinulosa. The first two are trees, the wood of 
 which is used for the knees of boats, and the others, shrubs. 
 Page 203, LiifE 23. 
 
 The Myrtaceous tree to which allusion is made, was named 
 Bachhousia myrtifolia after Mr. Backhouse, who visited these 
 colonies about thirty years ago in company with Mr. Walker. 
 Mr. Backhouse is well known as an enterprising traveller and 
 philanthropist, and the work which he published on his return to 
 Europe, bears testimony to his botanical knowledge. 
 
 Page 208. 
 
 In my article on ornamental plants, I have alluded to the 
 Epacrids, as affording some species worthy of cultivation. The 
 family of Epacrids, which in this country takes the place of 
 heathworts, is peculiar to the Indian Archipelago, Australasia, 
 and Polynesia. The word *' Epacris' — the type of the order — 
 is derived from epi upon, and acros the top of a thing, because in 
 New Zealand, the species grow on the top of the mountains. 
 This, however, is by no means the case in New South Wales, for 
 they are found in various situations, some growing in the sand 
 by the sea-side, some in the bush under the shade of the Eucalypti^ 
 and others again amongst the rocks by the side of creeks. 
 There is a marked resemblance between Heathworts and Epacrids, 
 and it is worthy of notice that few heathworts are found in 
 countries occupied by Epacrids. The main difference between 
 the two orders is in the anther, the Epacrids having it one-celled 
 without any appendages, and the heathwort "two-celled, the 
 cells hard and dry, separate either at the apex or base, where 
 they are furnished with some kind of appendage, and dehiscing 
 by a pore." Nearly all the genera of the Epacris family belong 
 to the class Pentandria, order Monogynia of Linnaeus, and the 
 filaments arise from the coroUa, or they are hypogynous. The 
 
252 A CONTBIBUTION TO, ETC. 
 
 berries of many species, thougli small, are edible, and tbe order 
 does not contain any poisonous or acrid properties. 
 
 Botanists divide tbe genera into two classes, viz. : — (1.) Tbose 
 tbat are one-seeded, and (2.) tbose tbat are many-seeded. Of 
 tbe first division we bave in tbe neigbbourbood of Parramatta, 
 species of tbe following genera : (1) StypJielia, (2) Asiroloma^ 
 (3) Slenantheraj (4) Meliclirus, (5) LissantJie, (6) Leucopogon, 
 (7) Acrotriclie, and (8) Trochocarpa : and of tbe second division 
 (1) ^pacris, and (2) Dracophyllum. Regarding tbe order as 
 peculiar to tbis part of tbe World, we may feel some surprise tbat 
 so few genera, comparatively speaking, are found near Parra- 
 matta, and tbat scarcely any, witb tbe exception of Astroloma or 
 " groundberry," Styphelia or "five corner," and. two or tbree 
 species of Leucopogon aff'ord any esculent fruits. 
 
 Tbe species of Styphelia are aS'. viridifiora, S. trijlora, and 
 5. tubiflora. Two otber species occur nearer tbe coast, and one 
 witb red flowers on tbe mountains. Astroloma humifusum is tbe 
 G-round Berry of tbe colonists, Stenanthei^a pinifoUa is similar to 
 it, and Melichrus rotatus bas inconspicuous flowers witb five 
 glands containing a boney-like liquid. Lissantlie is represented 
 in tbe Parramatta district* by L. strigosa and L. daphioides. L. 
 sapida occurs in tbe Mountains, and L. suhulata, wbicb some 
 regard as a variety of L. strigosa. Leucopogon bas L. lanceolatus, 
 L. juniperimis, L. ericoides, L. virgatus and L. amplexicaulis 
 within a few miles of tbe town. Here is also AcrotricJie divaricata. 
 Trochocarpa laurina is larger tban any of tbe preceding species, 
 and altbougb extending to tbe Parramatta district, is not so fine 
 a sbrub as some of tbe same kind growing near the coast. Of 
 LJpacriSj we bave E. purpurascens, E. riparia, and E. ohtusifolia^ 
 and of Dracophyllum, D. secundum. In tbe neigbbourbood of 
 Sydney, at tbe North Shore, &c., Leucopogon microphyllus is very 
 common, and I bave collected L. hiflorus on the Mountains. 
 Monotoca albens occurs frequently near tbe coast, as well as 
 Lysinema pungens, Ponceletia sprengeloides, and Sprengelia incar- 
 nata. Perhaps tbe most admired species is Epacris grandijlora, 
 of wbicb there is a marked variety, witb white flowers, and E. 
 crassifolia and E. microphylla may be frequently seen on the rocks 
 near tbe sea. Since tbe days of Egbert Brown, so many species 
 hay© been a4d«d to tbe order of tbe Epacrids, and tbeir structure 
 
NOTES. 253 
 
 seems to be so much better imderstood than formerly, that a 
 revision of the genera has long been required. Influenced by 
 these considerations, Dr. F. Mueller determined to review the 
 whole order, and to make those alterations in the arrangement of 
 the genera, which recent discoveries have rendered necessary. 
 This was a work of great labour, which, indeed, the Doctor states 
 " was one of the most difficult tasks he had ever accomplished." 
 The complete investigation of all the species, with a view of 
 throwing them into new generic forms, required not merely intense 
 application, but an amount of experience, which few botanists 
 possess. Dr. Mueller, however, has effected the object he had in 
 view, and in the last number of his Fragmenta^ he has proposed 
 to unite thirteen genera with Styphelia, thus establishing a large 
 genus of not less than 100 species, and regarding the others as 
 the representatives of sections. The genera thus amalgamated 
 are Astroloma, Stenanthera^ MeUchrus, C//athodes, Lissanthey 
 Leucopogon, Aorotriche, Frcebelia, Soleniscia, Stomarrhena, Andros- 
 toma, Pentataphrus, and Lohopogon. An arrangement of this 
 kind will have many advantages in facilitating the study of the 
 order, and in removing the anomaly of separating allied species. 
 The remaining genera are disposed in the following order: 
 Brachyloma, Conostephium, MicJiiea, Monotoca, Trocliocarpa, Need- 
 Tiamia, Oligarrhena, PrionoteSy Epacris, Lysinema, Sphenotoma, 
 Dracophyllum, Richea, Cosmelia, Sprengelia and Ponceletia. The 
 beautiful order of Epacrids deserves attention from the horticul- 
 turist, as it aifords many ornamental plants, which, Dr. Mueller 
 observes, " are still so rare in our gardens." The species are 
 interesting too as supplying the place of Heathworts, only one of 
 that order, I believe, {Gualtheria liispida) being known in New 
 South Wales. Of this plant, I have had specimens from the 
 Tumut, and according to Dr. Mueller, it generally indicates spots 
 on which snow lodges for some of the winter months. It appears 
 from the Doctor's work on the vegetation of the Chatham Islands, 
 that DracopJiyllum scoparium, Cyatliodes acerosa, and Leucopogon 
 JB/cAei are indigenous there. " The last," he remarks, "is one of 
 the few plants common to Australia and the Chatham group, yet 
 not known as existing in New Zealand." 
 Page 208, Line 33. 
 The little " Orange Thorn" is abundant at the Native Vine* 
 
254 A CONTEIBTJTION TO, ETC. 
 
 yard near Cobbity. This spot is also remarkable for the occurrence 
 of many plants which do not grow any where in the adjacent 
 bush. Amongst these are Geijera salici/oUa, a moderately sized 
 tree of the Rutaceae, Nepheliiim leiocarpum, Cupnnia semiglauca 
 of the Sapindacese, Alphitonia exeelsa of the Ehamnese, Cargillia 
 australis of the Ebenacea?, Morus Brunotiia and M. calcar-galli 
 (Moraceae), and three small trees of the Euphorbiacese, viz., 
 Croton Verrauxii, Claoxylon australe, and the very curious Ccele- 
 hogyne ilicifolia, of which the female only is known, and yet it 
 produces ripe and perfect seeds ! On the banks of the Nepean, 
 Hymenanthera dentata of the Violet. Family occurs frequently, 
 and in a gully near Bent's Basin, are Stylidium laricifolium, Com- 
 mersonia Fraseri, Leucopogon collinus and Goodia lotifolia. With 
 regard to the little " oasis" called the Native Vineyard, and 
 some of the shrubs growing there which belong to the northern 
 parts of New South Wales, there is great peculiarity arising 
 probably from the geological formation of the place, and its 
 sheltered situation. After passing through a forest of uninter- 
 esting Eucalypti, it is quite refreshing to meet with a spot so 
 highly favoured by nature, where some scores of beautiful shrubs, 
 apparently conveyed from distant places, are strangely associated 
 together. The " Vineyard," as it is called, contains only a few 
 acres, and is almost in sight of the Rev. T. Hassall's residence at 
 Denligh. Tt has the appearance of a cultivated shrubbery, rather 
 than that of a collection of plants formed by natural causes. 
 The vines and climbing plants of this interesting place, are 
 Aplianopetalum resinosum, Tecoma australis, Vitis Baudiana, Eiis- 
 trepJius latifolius, Geitonoplesium corymhosum, Sicyos angulata, 
 Tylophora barbata. Clematis aristata, two species of the Convolvulus 
 family, Passifiora Herbertiana, Stephania liernandicefolia, Sarcope- 
 talum harveyanum, Marsdenia rostrata, andM.flavescens. Not far 
 from the Vineyard, Lyonsia straminea, and a narrow leaved form 
 of Marsdenia viridifolia may be seen. The latter is remarkable 
 for its tuberous roots, which are called " Native Potatoes," and 
 were eaten by the Blacks of former days. 
 
 Page 224. 
 The Eev. G. A. C. Innes, during a late trip to the Bogan, 
 noticed some fine Iron Bark trees on the sand-stone ranges near 
 G-undong (Quandang ?) Creek. These trees were from two to 
 
NOTES. 255 
 
 three feet in diameter, and about eighty feet high, affording 
 excellent material for fencing and rough buildings. From the 
 specimens which he kindly procured for me, I feel no hesitation in 
 referring them to the white-flowering variety of E. leucoxylon, 
 similar to that which is found on some parts of the Lachlan, and 
 also about thirty miles from Mudgee. This is, in fact, what 
 Eraser and others have called *' the common Iron Bark of the 
 interior," and although differing sometimes in the colour of the 
 flowers, the quality of the wood, and in the texture of the leaves, 
 it is nevertheless a well defined species, perfectly distinct from 
 the Eed and White Iron Bark near the coast {JE. siderophloia 
 and E. paniculata). Not far from the spot where the Iron Bark 
 was growing, Mr. Innes collected a specimen of E. dealbataj a 
 tree with glaucous,white foliage, sometimes called "Eiver 
 Gum," and sometimes " G-rey Box." .This species is found in 
 rocky situations in the interior, and Dr. F. Mueller thinks it 
 may prove a variety of E. viminalis. The anthers are certainly 
 very similar, but in the latter, the flowers are more distinctly 
 pedicellate, and the leaves narrower and longer, whilst the fruit 
 is larger and not hemispherical According to the Eeport of "the 
 Victorian Exhibition of 1861, the wood of E. dealhata is almost 
 as good as that of the true Box {E. Jiemijphloia) ; but as opinions 
 vary as to the quality of the timber, it is not improbable that the 
 Victorian tree is either a distinct species, or a marked variety. 
 The same report also states that E. oleosa (E. uncinata, Bentham), 
 covers the vast tracts of level country towards the N.W. of 
 Victoria, forming with the species E. dunjosa and E. socialis 
 (E. oleosa, Bentham), the dense masses of vegetation known as 
 Mallee Scrub. The dimensions of E uncinata require it to 
 be ranked as a shrub, as it rarely exceeds twelve feet in height ; 
 but from the circumstance that the individuals of the species 
 are clothed with foliage to the ground, and often grow so 
 closely together, as to form inpenetrable masses of vegetation, an 
 exceedingly large quantity of the leaves (which contain an essen- 
 tial oil of the greatest importance) can be procured in a short 
 space of time. (See Eeport of Victorian Exhibition, p. 32). 
 
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 431 A contribution to the flora of Australia, by William Woolls 
 
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