40 MU. W. AVOOLLS OX IXTUODUCED PLANTS NEAlt 8Il)XEV. " 



taurea sohtitialts^ and Xantliium spinosum. The last-mentioned 

 is the Bathurst Bur, which does so much injury to the wool in 

 some districts. Carduics Marianne is regarded as a great pest 

 in some places, but it has been found useful for fodder where 

 grass is scarce, especially w^hen it is cut down and suifered 

 to become partially dry. After the last floods, Tagetes and 

 Tmgopogon appeared abundantly on the Nepean ; and Cicho- 

 riuniy which was originally cultivated, has sprung up sponta- 

 neously in the same locality. Chrysmitliemum segetum is rare. ' 

 Goodia polysperma has firmly established itself in this neigh- 

 bourhood ; and, until I read your remark respecting it, I was 

 under the impression that it was indigenous. Melilotus par- 

 vijlora has become a great nuisance to tlie agriculturist, as it 

 grows wdth the wheat, and imparts a peculiar flavour to the flour. 

 It is known by the name of Scented Trefoil ; and some millers 

 have so much objection to any wdieat affected by it, that they 

 refuse to purchase grain from those districts where it is knowTi to 

 prevail. Some species of Medicago have a troublesome bur 

 (though not so injurious as that of Xanthiurn) ; and the cultivated 

 M. sativa has lately been much infested with Cuscuta epithymum. 

 This has prevailed to such an extent in some parts of the colony 

 that the crops have been most seriously affected by it. We have 

 some species of Ctiscuta which are indigenous ; but the parasite 

 in question has been introduced with seeds from Europe, and 

 seems likely to occasion trouble and loss to the farmers. Epi- 

 lolium roseum has come to Australia amongst grass-seeds, but 

 (Enothera has probably found its way from gardens. Sosa ruhi- 

 ginosa springs up so rapidly infields that it materially retards tn6 

 growth of the grass ; and it becomes necessary to destroy it where- 

 ever practicable. The Umbelliferse springing up spontaneously are 

 very limited. Slum and Caldasia appear occasionally ; but Fceni- 

 citlum vulgare is the only one that returns regularly. GompfiO' 

 carpus, or, as it is commonly called, "Wild Cotton," has spre 

 very widely throughout the colony, and is regarded as a nuisance 

 by the settlers. The milky juice of it is reported to be highly 

 injurious, and the plants themselves are frequently covered 

 witli Aphides. Stachys arvensis is useful in the winter season 

 as food for cows. Many cart-loads of it have been cut down 

 for that purpose in the orange-orchards near Parramatta; but 

 I am informed that, when the plants are old, they impart an un- 

 pleasant flavour to the milk. The uses of Marruhitim and Fh^' 

 tago are too w ell known to need any remarks ; and the pretty 



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