BY A. A. HAMILTON. 499 



The Bead-fern, Gleichenia dicarpa K. Br., an Indo-Malayan 

 species which extends to Tasmania, is occasional in this station, 

 frequently associated with Dryopteris punctata (Thunb) C. Chr., 

 a tropical species which reaches extra tropical latitudes in south- 

 ern regions. Both ferns are limited to small clumps in this 

 station but in the peat-bog, their preferential habitat, their 

 formations are more extensive, the Bead-fern in some of the 

 local swamps building a tangled brake 2—3 feet high, and seve- 

 ral acres in extent, overrunning the smaller Cyperaceous and 

 other herbaceous growths . > In the frequent encounters between 

 these ferns the Gleichenia prevails in the flooded areas, its wiry 

 trailing stems sprawling over the rigid frondage of the Dryop- 

 teris and smothering it. As it advances to the drier station it 

 weakens and is unable to support a heavy aerial growth. The 

 rhizomatic system of Dryopteris is stouter than that of the 

 Gleichenia and when the formations meet it is able to hold its 

 slender but sinewy opponent at bay by arresting the further 

 progress of its rhizomes. These ferns may be observed engaged 

 in such a competition in a peaty swamp in Centennial Park. 



The Bracken, Pteridium aquilinum (L. ) Kuhn., is less tolerant 

 of a wet soil than its confreres and does not proceed far into 

 the fluvial zone. Though frequently found in close proximity to 

 tidal waters, the Bracken is not a halophyte, its most vigorous 

 colonies occurring in non-saline soils, and it especially favours 

 a permeable, sandy, well-drained soil. Its avoidance of a cal- 

 careous soil has been noted by many writers. Goodenia ovata 

 Sm.. a shade and moisture loving species — endemic in the Com- 

 monwealth — forms tangled patches on the margins of the de- 

 pressions, the weak stems of the plants interlacing their branches 

 for mutual support. Though tolerant of a degree of salinity, 

 the Goodenia is equally suited in a freshwater station. Seeds of 

 G. ovata sank within 24 hours. 



The Tall Corn Flag, Gladiolus cuspidatus Jacq., whose station 

 in its native country (South Africa) is the coastal sand-dunes, 

 was noted in the tidal zone in the saltmarshes at Tempe and 

 Buffalo Creek. It is one of the few bulbous plants found in 

 saline stations and is well established in both marshes. Tho 

 rootstock, a globose corm protected by a tunic of matted fibre ; 

 produces a cluster of bulbels which aid in the distribution of the 

 plants. The winged discoid seeds floated for six days. A 

 succulent-flowered Orchid, Cryptostylis longifolia R. Br., which 



