BY R. H. CAMBAGE. 187 



a few trees of Eremophila longifolia (Emu Bush). The plants of 

 Prostanthera ovalifolia and Bursaria spinosa were the first seen 

 in coming from Bourke. 



In the drought of 1895, when all grass and herbage had dis- 

 appeared, the rabbits in the Wyalong district turned their 

 attention to the bark of various shrubs and small trees, but the 

 species which suB'ered most from these rodents was Myoporum 

 deserti (Dogwood). The bark was eaten off right round the stem, 

 and as far up as Bunny could reach when standing on two legs. 

 In this way the lower parts of these trees were whitened as if 

 covered with white stockings, and presented a striking appearance 

 when growing in clusters in the forest. Scarcely a tree of this 

 species escaped, and the great quantity of whitened stems bore 

 testimony both to the numbers and energy of their assailants, 

 while a great many of the trees died from this novel process of 

 ringbarking. From various sources I gathered that the rabbits 

 did not thrive on this bark, but simply prolonged existence. 



Throughout various localities in my western travels I have seen 

 instances of rabbits eating the bark oti' the trunks and exposed 

 roots of very many trees aud shrubs, but have never noticed their 

 showing such a decided preference for any other species as was 

 shown for this one in the Wyalong district. Usually their 

 favourite bark can be detected in any forest by noticing which 

 trees are most constantly attacked. The observations of others 

 on this point would be of interest. In the Cobar district Capparis 

 Mitchelli (Wild Orange) was one of the shrubs most constantl}'- 

 attacked. The various Eucalypts, including the Mallees, are 

 evidently not in favour with them, as these are left untouched 

 while anything else can be obtained. 



Mijopori.ini de<erti has been noticed nearly the whole way from 

 Bourke. In the Nymagee district it is often found growing near 

 the various Mallees, but is also quite common in places to the 

 eastward where these Eucalypts do not grow. It is usually 

 known as Dogwood, though that name is given to other trees in 

 different localities. In the Lachlan district the chief flowering 

 time for this species is October, and in November the ground may 



