BY FRED. TURNER. 411 



One of the most interesting and at the same time most useful 

 fodder plants is the " Darling clover," Triyonella yiutvissiina, 

 Lindl. Sir Thomas Mitchell was the first to find this plant on 

 the Darling and to recommend it for its agreeable perfume and 

 its delicious flavour as a vegetable. Amongst the shrubbv 

 Leguminos(e the various species of Cassia bloom profusely at 

 certain seasons of the year, and the same may be said of some of 

 the dwarfer-growing kinds of Acacia. Many species of the latter 

 genus grow into fine trees, and certain of them produce timber 

 useful for industrial purposes, whilst the leaves of some furnish 

 feed for stock during dry periods. 



Over a great portion of this region the genus Eucalyptus, either 

 in an arboreal or shrubby state, occurs in greater or less pro- 

 fusion. Some of the species yield valuable timber which is used 

 for a variety of purp'oses where strength and durability are 

 required. The "River" or " Red Gum," Eucalyjjtus rosirata, 

 Sch., grows fairly plentifully on the margins of the watercourses 

 and on land subjected to periodical inundation, where it fre- 

 quently attains large dimensions. The courses of the Darling 

 River and its tributaries can be defined miles away by this tree, 

 which is alwaj^s a very distincti\e feature in the landscape. 

 Under Cnciirhitacece there is one indigenous species, Cucumis 

 triyonus, Roxb., which is found in various districts, and an 

 allied African plant, Cucumis myriocarpus, Naud., has become 

 acclimatised and has spread ver}^ much during recent years, 

 especially on the lighter soils. The Australian mistletoe is 

 growing on many trees and shrubs; one of the most common 

 species being Lorantlius 'pendulus, Sieb., though four other kinds 

 are to be seen growing in varying proportions.. Composita' are 

 well represented, especially on the plains, where usually during 

 the early summer months and often in the autumn after rainfall 

 the country looks like one immense flower garden. The blooms 

 include many shades of colour, from white and yellow to bronze 

 or red; the first-named colours predominating. Their habit, too, 

 is most variable; certain are amongst the most diminutive plants 

 in the interior of Australia, whilst others assume a shrubby habit. 



