318 NOIES ON xVATIVE FLORA OF NEW SOUTH WALES, VII,, 



plants were noticed by the roadside : — Bnrsarla spinosa^ Oxalis 

 corniculata Linn., Acacia c/ealbata, A. mela7ioxylon K.Br , Euca- 

 lyptus viminalis, E. coriacea, E. rubida(in one case a host for a 

 species of Loranthus), E. stelhdala 8ieb.( Black Sally)^ Wahlen- 

 hergia gracilis, Helichrysum apiculatum, Br achy come sp., Cassiyiia 

 longifolia, Hypericum gramiv.eum Forst., Caliitris calcarata, 

 Hordeimi ?nurinum Linn. (Barley Grass; introduced), and Fappo- 

 phorum coiniuune F.v.M, 



Cooma to Nimityhelle. 



Nimity belle is situated about 23 miles southerly from Cooma. 

 The first 16 miles are confined to undulating basaltic plains, with 

 here and there a few trees of Eucalyptus coriacea, or Acacia 

 iinelanoxylon. The celebrated natural soda-water si)ring, aa 

 aerated ferruginous water of commercial value, occurs by the 

 side of this road, near the lO-ruile post. After passing the 16- 

 mile post, thinly timbered areas are met with, chiefly of Euca- 

 lyptus coriacea, E. ruhida and Acacia deaJbata. This sparse 

 forest is possibly the advance guard gradually taking possession 

 of the plain, and is supported by more abundant growths on the 

 granites to the south-east, where there is also a greater rainfall. 



It is remarkable how Acacia melanoxylon^ the Tasmanian 

 Blackwood, sometimes called Hickory in this State, and Mudger- 

 abah on the eastern falls of New England, often selects the stony 

 basaltic summits on Monaro. In such situations its habit is 

 dwarfed and somewhat gnarled, owing to its exposure to severe 

 climatic conditions; and its general appearance would scarcely 

 even suggest to the casual observer that it has any close affinity 

 with the same species as seen in Southern Victoria and Tasmania, 

 where the boles often attain a diameter of 2-3 feet. A favourite 

 locality for the species is a gully in basaltic formation. 



With the exception of grasses, the only plants noticed between 

 Cooma and Niinitybelle were: — Erodiuin cygnoi'iwf^ees, E. 

 cicutarium Willd. (introduced), Discaria australis Hk., Acacia 

 melanoxylon R.Br., A. dealbata, Eucalyptus coriacea, E. rubida, 

 Cassinia longifolia, Wahlenbergia gracilis, Pimelea glauca, and 

 Ilordeuin murinum L.( Barley Grass). 



