THE SOUTH TEMPERATE ZONE 327 



Acacia leads in number of species, but the pea-family is also ex- 

 tremely abundant. About Sydney several species of Boronia and 

 Eriostemon (Rutaceae), are common and beautiful Bhrubs, and 



many other unfamiliar flowers abound. 



As elsewhere in Australia, New South Wales has many Pro- 

 teaceae, a family which reaches its maximum development in 

 Australia. The commonest genera are Grevillea, Banksia and 

 Hakea. To this family belongs also the "Waratah " (Telapea 

 speciosissima) one of the most gorgeous of Australian flowers, 

 whose magnificent clusters of scarlet are the pride of New South 



.Uf 



Fig. 87. — Desert vegetation, Transcontinental Railway. Australia. 



Wales. Another very splendid plant, common near Sydney is 

 the giant torch-lily {Doryanlhes exceha) which bears aloft on a 

 stout stem, 10-15 feet high, a huge cluster of immense scarlet lilii 



The southeastern part of Australia is occupied by Victoria, 

 the smallest stale in the commonwealth, being about the size of 

 Kansas. Much of Victoria has a temperate climate, adapted to 

 the staple crops of the temperate zones, and better suited to Euro- 

 pean settlers than the hotter parts of Australia. 



Its smaller size and more uniform climate resull in a lesser 

 variety of vegetation than in the larger states; but in the well 

 watered mountains of the east are found magnificent forests of 

 giant gums (Eucalyptus regnans), dose rivals in height of the 



