380 NOTES ON NATIVE FLORA OF NEW SOUTH WALES, IV., 



Series was suggested by Mr. C. S. Wilkinson for this particular 

 formation. 



Now having in view the fact of their exposure at the two 

 places mentioned, and that Casum-ina stricta was not common 

 on the coast of New South Wales excepting perhaps in the 

 extreme south, and was really an inland tree, the finding of this 

 species on this somewhat rarely exposed formation near Newport 

 suggested the idea that it had probably wandered so far from its 

 regular habitat owing to geological causes, there being no climatic 

 reason why it should not also occur along the whole of the coast;, 

 and that therefore it might perhaps be successfully looked for on 

 the similar formation at Otford. Before proceeding to search this 

 locality, however, enquiries were made at the Botanic Gardens, 

 where it was learned from Mr. J. H. Maiden that this plant w^as 

 certainly growing near Otford, as both he and Mr. E. Betche 

 had collected it there some years ago, though it had not been 

 recorded."^ 



An unsuccessful search was subsequently made on the coast 

 near Kincumber to the north of Broken Bay, and extending 

 from Terragal Head to First Point, locally known as Winny; but 

 although the formation is mapped as belonging to the Narrabeen 

 Beds, the country is somewhat sandy from the disintegration of 

 the sandstones in the district. The interesting fact was noticed, 

 however, that, growing along the edge of the cliffs and over much 

 of the headland known as First Point, the surface of which was 

 composed of sandstone, with loose pebbles scattered at intervals, 

 was another species of Casuarina, viz., C. distyla Vent., which 

 was not found inland towards Gosford, though it is common 

 enough on the Hawkesbury Sandstone formation around Port 

 Jackson. What was apparently this same dwarf oak shrub could 

 also be seen covering a considerable area on Second Point, about 

 1 J miles to the southward, the aggregation of male flowers giving 



Postscript (added 26th October, 1905). — I have since been informed by- 

 Mr. A. G. Hamilton that C. stricta is growing near Mt. Kembla. This 

 extends its range about 20 miles southerly from Stanwell Park but still on. 

 the exposed strip of Narrabeen Shales. 



