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



and erosion extended westerly another mile or so, or less than 

 a quarter of a mile at Newport, probably no trace of this species 

 would be found to-day near either place. 



If therefore we could have a living species which had existed 

 from late or Post-Tertiary time, and evidence is available to 

 show that such could happen, then it seems that the conditions 

 are fav^ourable to Casuarina striata being such a species. That 

 it is ancient is proved by its wide distribution and adaptability 

 to varying conditions. Such Eucalypts as E. coriacea A. Cunn., 

 E. amygdalina LabilL, and E. viminalis Labill., are common to 

 both Tasmania and New South Wales, but in the latter State 

 their home is on the highest land. Not a single Eucalypt which 

 is found in Tasmania is known to occur in the interior of New 

 South Wales. 



Benthamf speaks of the Order Casuarineae as a very distinct 

 one, the remarkable vegetative characters having no nearer 

 parallel than amongst some Conifer^e. Now the Natural Order 

 Coniferge is well known to be an ancient one. True Coniferse 

 are stated by Sir Archibald Geikie* to have been abundant in 

 Carboniferous time, and evidence is recorded of their occurrence 

 prior to that period. 



The genus Casuarina is also regarded as an ancient one, and 

 there are records of its having been found fossil in Tertiary, and 

 possibly Cretaceous time, though the absolute identity of some 

 of the Tertiary specimens has been questioned. 



In describing the Potomac Formation, Lester F. Wardt makes 

 lengthy reference to a fossil plant, and after discussing the pos- 

 sibilities of its being a Casuarina, saj^s : — " I have therefore 

 decided upon the whole to refer this form to Casuarina, with all 

 necessary reservation, and to name it, in honour of Mr. Coville, 

 C. Covillei. It would certainly be an interesting fact if it were 

 proved that this anomalous type of vegetation lived in America 

 during Lower Cretaceous time." 



* ' Flora Australiensis,' vi, 133. 

 + Text Book of Geology. Third Edition, p.Sll. 

 ::: Fifteenth Annual Report of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1893-94, p. 353. 



