BY FRED. TURNER. 137 



neither numerous nor important, and of the three genera only 

 one, Comesperma, is endemic. In the South-West there are three 

 species of this genus, of which C. scopariurriy Steetz, is the most 

 singular. It is a dwarf, broom-like, leafless shrub, and on its 

 smaller branches blue flowers appear usually in spring, but some- 

 times in autumn. It is generally found in sandy country or 

 on ston}'' rises. The Order Frankeniacece consists of only one 

 genus, Frankenia, and of the seven species found in Western Aus- 

 tralia only one, F. paucijiora, DC, extends to New South Wales. 

 It is an interesting plant to the botanist from the fact that it is 

 allied to Dianthusund cognate genera. Malvacece are fairly well 

 distributed, and at certain seasons of the year produce a profusion 

 of flowers of various colours. Some species of the genera 

 Hoimttia, Abutilon, and Hibiscus are well worth the attention of 

 horticulturists, and so is Gossyjnum sturtii, F.v.M., the "native 

 cotton " or, as it is sometimes called, " Sturt's desert rose." 

 Several exotic species, principall}^ of the genus 31alva, have 

 become acclimatised and now are apparently wild. 



Linum marginale, A. Cunn., is the only indigenous species of 

 the flax family (Linece). It is a slender-growing plant, attaining 

 under favourable conditions, a height of four feet. It produces 

 a loose corymb of charming blue flowers, and the seeds are muci- 

 laginous, but are rarely used for any purpose. From its stems 

 the Aborigines make a tibre which is of considerable strength, 

 and is employed for several purposes. The introduced species, 

 Linum gallicum, Linn., has small, yellow flowers. The Order 

 Zygophyllece, or " bean caper," is represented by several species, 

 but, with one exception, they are dwarf or prostrate-growing 

 plants, having opposite leaves and 3'ellow or white flowers. Cer- 

 tain of them are considered vermifuges. In propitious seasons 

 the " caltrops," Tribulus terrestris, Linn., spreads rapidly, and 

 its prickly fruits often prove troublesome to stock. Amongst 

 the prettiest flowering Eutaceous plants are Eriostemon myopo- 

 roides, DC, and £. difformis, A. Cunn., which occur in various 

 districts, but principally near water-courses. The soft, acid fruits 

 of the "native cumquat" {Atalantia glauca^ Hook.), are made 



