44S CVAXOGEXESIS IX PLANTS, 



leaves of some particular tree, such as Sandalwood and Eucalyptus, on a ueigb- 

 bouring- station tliey were fed entirely on it. 



It was observed by one station-owner that Supple Jack gave the best results, 

 although in general the mixed foliage was most satisfactory and Ijeneticial to the 

 cattle. 



The Wild Orange was eaten by sheep and cattle with great relish: both the 

 leaves and stems as thick as a man's finger were eaten with no ill effects. 



The foliage of some trees, such as the Rosebush, Wild Orange, Supple Jack 

 and Wilga was eaten in large quantities, while small quantities of other trees 

 like the Myalls satisfied the cattle. The feeding of cattle and sheep with the 

 Rosebush will be described separately. 



Heterodendron, the Rosebush of the Castlereagh, is endemic in Australia, and 

 grows plentifully in the Western and Northern Interior of New South Wales, 

 and also in the other States. There are only two species, 11. oleaefolia and H. 

 diversifolia, the latter being more confined to the nurtheni areas and Queensland. 



H. oleaefolia is a large shrub in some districts, while in others it gi-ows as a 

 tree to a lieight of 40 feet. It is known by many vernacular names, according 

 to the locality, and samples bearing some of the following- names have been re- 

 ceived by the writer: — Whitewood (Dubbo), Rosewood (Coonamble), Western 

 Rosewood, Rosebush ( Coonamble), Emubush. Cabbagebush (Broken HiU), Boon- 

 ery tree (Narrabri). Dogwood, Ironwood (Xymagee). Bluebnsh (Bourke to 

 Cobar), Bullock liusli (Broken Hill). This serves as a good example of the in- 

 adecpiacy of common names for plants; but the danger lies, not only in the num- 

 ber of such names, but in the fact that the same vernacular name is applied, in 

 another locality, to some quite different plant, for example, Whitewood, as in 

 the two list*. Nor do these local names refer in a single case to the well-known 

 trees of the same name growing in older countries; for example, the ^^'Mltewood 

 of Nortli America, t'le Leopard wood and the Beefwood of South American forests, 

 and the Indian Rosewood are quite ditt'ercut trees. 



K'ECOKD or SaXJCK-FEEDlXG WITH RO.SEBUSII. 



Hetenidriuhoii has been described by a number of writers as a goiid cattle 

 fodder, and by one as "'the best fodder-tree of the West." Notwithstanding 

 these statements by local authorities and others, a considerable mortality among 

 "both sheep and cattle occurred in 1915 on stations near the Castlereagh River. 

 At Enfield. 400 sheep died in a single niglit after eating the fresh leaves of this 

 plant. The latter was therefore suspected and specimens were sent to the writer 

 for examination. 



In the beginning of 1918, when the last great drought commenced, tlie mixed 

 herbage was used with apparently no bad results. Gradually, as time went on, 

 the trees other than Roselnisli became very scarce, and at last on certain stations 

 owners were left with no alternative but to use Rosebush alone. In 1919, on 

 Nelia Station 90 sheep died; on Loyola station 4 sheep died, and 3 cows, which 

 had eaten only a little of the leaves, were very sick, but recovered. At Wyreeuui 

 station a single branch of Rosebush was eut and fed to sheep, and C died. En- 

 field station kist 9 ))ullocks, and Oakstand station a number of sheep tlirough the 

 same cause. In tlic latter instance the leaves were cut in the evening, .niul next 

 morning 3 shec)i weiv found lying down and l)rentlung heavily. Their e.ai-s were 

 cut, but no Idood flowed. Two died during the morning, and tlie third was 

 treated by artificial rcsjiiratitm, and by putting salt in its mouth. It recovered a 

 little, and after a few hours got up and walked about. Tlie next morning it 



