44 BOTANY OF NORTII-'WESTERN NEW SOUTH WALES, 



on Loranllinx, affording an instance of a parasite upon a parasite. 

 The Composita', consist of forty-one indigenous geneia and one 

 hundred and twenty-four species besides varieties, and, with the 

 exception of Grdminecti, is the most largely represented Order 

 amongst Phanerogams in the north-west. Almost all over this 

 immense area the species occur in more or less profusion, and 

 when in bloom make a wonderfully effective display. A tract of 

 country covered with Composites in full bloom is a sight no pen 

 could adequately describe and which can never be effaced from the 

 memory. Although several of these plants are of shrubb}^ habit, 

 the greater number are dwarf perennials or annuals. The colours 

 of their flowers vary from pure white to deep yellow and from 

 bronze to bright red. The " burr "-like fruiting heads of several 

 species of Calotis are regarded with disfavour by sheep-owners 

 on account of the injury they sometimes cause to wool. The 

 pappus surmounting each achene is composed of barbed bristles 

 or sharp spines, and sometimes causes great irritation to those 

 who camp out. Hence stockmen call these fruits " Bogan Fleas," 

 and from experience I can say they are more annoying to the flesh 

 than Pulex irritans. Although there are only one genus, four 

 species and one variety of the Order Stylidiece, they are most 

 interesting plants on account of the peculiar structure of their 

 flowers. The stamens and style are united in a column which is 

 very irritable, especially in fine weather, and springs up when 

 touched. The variety album of Stylidiwm grarnui'ifolium, ISwartz, 

 is a rare plant, and like most of the species quite worth garden 

 culture. Goodenoviece comprise five genera and twenty species, 

 besides varieties, fairly well distributed over this region. The 

 various species of Goodenia grow plentifully on some of the flats 

 bordering the rivers and creeks, and when in bloom attract 

 attention. Daminera hrownii^ F. v.M., is one of the most interest- 

 ing shrubs of this Order. Its purple or blue flowers are densely 

 clothed with dark-coloured plumose hairs, sometimes very long 

 and spreading, especially in the broad-leaved forms. Bruiionia 

 austra/is, Sm., is another interesting allied plant, of which there 

 are two forms fairly common on some of the ranges and sand 



