414 liOTANY OF THE DARLING, N.S.W. 



which are worth garden culture, as the flowers of these plants are 

 most interesting and the}"- are easily grown. The segments of 

 the perianth are densely hairy and the colours range from 

 greenish-yellow to bright purple. Under Polygonaceoi there are 

 only three genera in the interior, but one of the species, Muhlen- 

 heckia Cunningham?, F.v.M., commonly known as " Lignum 

 scrub" or " Sturt's leafless bramble." is of interest owing to the 

 fact that during recent adverse seasons stock have taken to 

 eating its usually succulent branchlets. Similar remarks as 

 regards representation apply to Protacece, and there is one species 

 of Grevillea (G. striata, R.Br.) worthy of notice. This tree is 

 popularly known as " beef wood," and its timber is of some 

 economic value, while its long, narrow leaves furnish food for 

 stock when pasture herbage is scarce. Of the six species of 

 Fimeha recorded in this paper some are regarded with suspicion 

 by stock owners. Euphorbiacece are fairly abundant in many 

 parts of the far west, and several species are suspected poison 

 plants. Amongst these is Euphorbia drummondii, Boiss., which 

 has the reputation of poisoning more sheep than any other Aus- 

 tralian plant. From numerous enquiries and from observation 

 extending over a \'Qvy long period it appears that when the plant 

 is in fruit and wet with dew^ or rain and is eaten by sheep it 

 causes most injury to the animals. Four species of C asuarina 

 are found dotted here and there over this area. The timber they 

 yield is of some commercial value, and the branchlets are largely 

 fed to stock in adverse seasons. The " Quandong " or "native 

 peach," Fusaniis acuminatus, R.Br., of the Santalacecfi, is fairly 

 abundant. In ordinary seasons this tree produces quantities of 

 fruit, the succulent epicarp of which is often employed for pre- 

 serves and the pitted endocarp for beads which are made into 

 necklaces, whilst the kernel, which is edible and of a pleasant 

 flavour, is of an oil}^ nature and may prove of some economic 

 value eventually. Although there are only two species of the 

 Conifer family found in the interior, they occupy immense areas 

 of both inferior and good country and have been gradually 

 increasinjr during the last two decades. Where these trees are 



