habits Van Diemen's Land, where it is common in various 

 soils throughout the colony, forming large tufts. Its leaves 

 are quite smooth at the edge, in which respect it differs from 

 the definition of Dr. Brown ; yet I presume it must be his 

 X. longifolia, for he says it is a native of Van Diemen's Land, 

 and I have seen no other species among the rich collections 

 formed in that colony by Mr. Gunn (whose number 336 it 

 is), and others. 



It is a plant of no beauty ; but its leaves are so hard and 

 tough, that it deserves enquiry whether they will not yield 

 a fibre capable of being advantageously manufactured into 

 cordage. I know nothing which in the unmanufactured 

 state promises better, by the powerful resistance offered to 

 the force employed to break it. 



In this country it is a half-hardy herbaceous plant, vi^hich 

 will grow in any soil and under any circumstances, and 

 would no doubt succeed in the most barren places in a mild 

 country. 



Why Labillardiere*s name of Lomandra should have been 

 changed to Xerotes I do not know ; but as Xerotes itself 

 must certainly be broken up into at least two genera, it is to 

 be hoped that the original name will be retained for this. 



Fig. L is a vertical section of a female flower; 2. is a 

 vertical and 3. a transverse section of the ovary. 



