BY FRED. TURNER. 41 



regions. From a long study of the flora in these divisions of the 

 State, I have observed that there is a gradual change from the 

 vegetation of New England to the meridian 149° east, and 

 between that and the western boundary the plants approach in 

 character those found in the Darling country. One of the first 

 changes to attract attention, as one proceeds from east to west, 

 is the diminution of ferns and orchids, until on approaching the 

 western boundary only two species of the former and two of the 

 latter are found. This is, of course, to be attributed to a 

 diminishing rainfall. As one travels westward, several species 

 of Eucalyptus common in the eastern portion of this region are 

 gradually replaced by other species peculiar to the interior. 

 Extensive forests of these valuable trees, several of which furnish 

 excellent and durable timber, are dotted over various parts of 

 the north-west. The shrubby species of this genus are popularly 

 called " Mallee,'^ and occupy Jarge tracts of countr3\ The pine 

 scrubs or pine forests {^Frenda spp.) cover vast areas, and the 

 matured trees are of considerable commercial value, as the 

 timber is largely used for building purposes, etc. Many of the 

 mountain ranges and isolated hills are thickly covered with 

 Eucalypts, Pine, and other economic timber trees. Amongst the 

 shrubby and subarboreal vegetation Leguminosoi are conspicuous 

 over nearly the whole of this region. Many of the dense scrubs 

 that cover miles of country are to a great extent composed of 

 different species oi Acacia. A " Mulga " scrub (^cacm anenra, 

 F.v.M.) is considered a valuable asset on a sheep station on 

 account of the economic value of its phyllodes (leaves), which 

 provide feed for stock during adverse seasons. The predominance 

 of certain species of Acacia commonly known as " Brigalow " 

 cause certain areas to be called " Brigalow scrubs." That 

 economic and ornamental evergreen tree, the Kurrajong (^Sterculia 

 diversifolia, G. Don) grows fairly plentifully on the slopes of 

 some of the ranges, and from a distance often gives the appear- 

 ance of a cultivated area. Many exotic plants, including some 

 of an undesirable character, have become acclimatised in this 

 region, but principall}- in the eastern and south-eastern portions. 



