BY R. H. CAMBAGE. 787 



the central and southern parts of the western area it is very 

 common. 



Acacia Cambagei, R. T. Baker, (the Gidgea of the Boiirke dis- 

 trict), was not seen at all, even the country around Moree evi- 

 dently being too far east for the species, though it is known to 

 continue northward from Bourke well into Queensland. 



A. aneura, F.v.M. (Mulga), Flindersia maculosa, F.v.M. 

 (Leopard wood), and Ho.kea leucoptera, R.Br. (Needlewood), were 

 not observed on any part of the journey, and although the latter 

 might easily escape notice, the former two usually grow in large 

 clumps and are readily recognised, so that they are undoubtedly 

 rare in the district described. 



Another feature of the landscape, as compared with the western 

 and south-western areas, was the absence of every species of 

 Mallee; but although these stunted forms of Eucalyptus are 

 common in the west, they do not usually occur on the black soil 

 plains, which are in reality old flood plains, but either on slight 

 elevations or levels formed by gradual erosion of earlier forma, 

 tions. 



Acacia harpophylla (Brigalow) is very common, and in places 

 east of Moree forms large scrubs in company wuth Casioarina 

 Cambagei (Belah). Owing to its long sickle-shaped silvery leaves, 

 which suggested its botanical name, it is a very conspicuous tree 

 about the plains and easily recognised. It was noticed that in 

 many places it grew perfectly straight to a height of perhaps 40 

 or 50 feet, the branchless bole, covered with a fairly rough bark, 

 maintaining much the same size for a considerable distance and 

 rarely exceeding one foot in diameter. It would again be seen 

 assuming quite a different form, the stem throwing out branches 

 almost from the ground, thus giving the tree a dome-shaped ap- 

 pearance, and imparting a very pleasing effect to the landscape. 

 It is well known that this straight or spreading habit in our 

 trees is regulated by the surroundings. Where seedlings grow 

 up in thick clusters or are well protected by adjacent vegetation, 

 as in the thick pine scrubs of the interior, or the brushes and 

 gullies along the coastal area, the result is elongated straight 



