'2lS VEGETATION OF NEW ENGLAND, N.S.W., 



rivers. In many localities there are springs of good water, and 

 on some of the low, flat lands water is easily obtained by sinking 

 a few feet into the earth. At Guyra, which lies at an altitude of 

 4,330 feet, there is a very large lake which, in ordinary seasons, con- 

 tains a good supply of excellent water which is as clear as crystal. 

 The only thing that detracts from this fine sheet of water, from 

 an aesthetic point of view, is the quantity of so-called rushes 

 (/leleocharis sphacelata, R.Br.) which grow over a greater part of 

 it. 



Vegetation. 



Since 1890 I have made many botanical excursions to New 

 England and have written special reports on the economic flora 

 growing there, and several of these, together with figures of some 

 of the useful plants, have been published by the Government of 

 New South Wales for the information of pastoralists and others. 

 From time to time I have exhibited before the Members of this 

 Society many botanical specimens I have collected in that part of 

 the State. The vegetation of New England is, in many respects, 

 of an unique character and differs very materially from that 

 growing between its eastern boundary and the sea and from that 

 found outside its western limits. On the east the vegetation is- 

 of a purely subtropical nature, and in many places very dense and 

 luxuriant. That growing on the plains to the west consists of 

 trees and shrubs of a more dwarf habit and generally of less^ 

 luxuriant foliage, except near the watercourses. The vegetation 

 of New England may be described as intermediate between these, 

 two. The chief arboreal vegetation is the Eucalyptus^ of which 

 there are sixteen known species. These are found in varying 

 proportions, and in certain places forests of these valuable trees 

 occur. Several species yield timber of great economic value 

 which is used locally for a variety of purposes. In addition to these 

 there are several fine Myrtaceous trees and shrubs, including the 

 beautiful flowering " bottle brush," Callistemon lanceolatus, DC^ 

 the graceful "tea" tree, LejUospermwm ^fiavescens, Sm., and the 

 "lily pily," Ewjenia smithii, Poir., which is always an interesting 

 sight when in fruit. Under Violariecc. is the curious shrubby 



