680 



NOTES ON BYBLIS GIGANTEA, Lindl. [N.O. Droseracew]. 



By a. G, Hamilton. 



(Plate xxxvii.) 



During a recent visit to West Australia I took the opportunity 

 of seeing Byblis in its natural habitat. Although very numerous 

 in individuals where it does occur, it appears to be restricted to 

 certain localities; and so far as I could ascertain, the occurrence 

 of the plant is determined by well-marked peculiarities of soil. 

 Near Perth I found it most plentiful on the Woodlupin Road, 

 near Cannington, and I was indebted to Mr. H. C. Prinsep, Chief 

 Protector of Aborigines, for an opportunity of visiting the spot. 

 The plant grows on a swampy flat of whitish clay and sand of a 

 very infertile appearance, and its want of fertility was borne out 

 by the fact that almost the only plants flourishing there were Byblis 

 and a fine species of Drosera. The swamp, which was some acres 

 in extent, was surrounded by soil of a rather better character, 

 and on this were many trees and shrubs, mostl}' Proteaceous and 

 Myrtaceous. The boundaries of the swamp were sharply defined 

 by the line of better and more luxuriant vegetation surrounding 

 it. From information given me by some of the Perth botanists, 

 I believe that Byblis grows only where the soil is similar to that 

 of this swamp — deficient in nitrogenous matter; and that its 

 habits are directl}^ adapted to procuring that necessary material. 



On the flat in question both Byblis and Drosera were indi- 

 vidually very plentiful. Facing westward when the sun was low, 

 they were a beautiful sight. The Drosei^a growing to a height of 

 12-18 inches, and branching freely, had either bright golden- 

 yellow or crimson leaves, translucent and gemmed plentifully 

 with diamond-like drops of secretion. The Byblis plants, though 

 equally plentiful, had leaves too thick for the light to shine 



