312 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
inner covering to the seed, and this, in the species found by 
my daughter, is beautifully marked with teeth, similar in 
appearance to the peristome of a Moss. Another kind, also 
in the box, differs in wanting the impressions of teeth ; and 
another, larger, is altogether destitute of the covering or en- 
velope to the seeds. I send a single specimen of a peculiar 
fungus, which looks as if covered with brown sand-paper; 
I had given you some account of it in a former letter; the 
ignorant people of the country call it a Kangaroo’s egg, and 
when they can detect one, always send it home as a vast 
curiosity. 
There are five sorts of small animals, like rats and mice, in 
the box, and two specimens, (a pair), of the native Wom- 
bats. | 
Perth, Western Australia, 
January, 1843. 
Some months ago, I informed you of my intention to set 
off on an exploring journey, to the hilly country lying be — 
tween the Beaufort River and King George's Sound. B 
the accomplishment of this object, I was joined by Mr. 
Gilbert; we wished to cross the country from the mouth of 
the Blackwood to Mount Parker, taking Mounts Roe and 
Mitchell on our way; but our intention was defeated by the — 
impossibility of getting over the Scot River and the swampy 
district in which it rises, when travelling with pack-horses. 
Nevertheless I was fortunate in procuring plants, and shall - 
be able to transmit five hundred species, none of which were 
in the collection sent home by the “Shepherd,” which I 
hope has arrived ere now in good order. UN 
We visited Mount William on our way to the south, and 
I had hoped to obtain some interesting species of Mosses - 
there; but I am sorry to say that I am much disappointed 
in this mountain, which, instead of having an elevation % - 
