BY J. H. MAIDEN. 765 



known by Australian botanists as Gomphocarpus fruticosus, R.Br., 

 was determined by Rudolph Schlechter, when in Sydney, as 

 above. 



According to Schumann (Nat. Pfl. Fam.), the genera Gompho- 

 carpus and Asclepias are quite distinct. I cannot find that 

 Asclepias physocarpa was published, but we have Gomophocarpus 

 physocarpus, E. Mey. Mr. Schlechter doubted that our Austra- 

 lian G. fruticosus is correctly determined, and the S. African 

 specimen in the Herbarium has much smaller fruits. 



Schumann says : — " G. fruticosus, (Linn.) R.Br., is spread over 

 nearly all the warmer parts of the globe, doubtless everywhere 

 introduced. It is a very variable plant, and also that G. pliyso- 

 caiyus, E. Mey., differs from it only by the inflated fruits. There 

 seems to be a difference of opinion between Schlechter and Schu- 

 mann. Schlechter probably considers G. fruticosus and physo- 

 carpus to be distinct species, and Schumann as forms. There 

 seems to be no doubt that our introduced plant is not the true G. 

 fruticosus, and should be called either G. fruticosus, R.Br. var. 

 pliysocarpus, or G. physocarpus, E. Mey. 



SOLANACEiE. 



Solanuni sodomceum, Linn. Known as " Poison " by the 

 islanders. This is one of the worst pests on the Island, and it is 

 very difficult to exterminate, since every bit roots. If an 

 ordinance were passed compelling every landowner to keep his 

 land clear much good would be done, and the Government would 

 do something, of course, to keep Crown lands clear, but the effort 

 would be worth making. 



Solanuni auric ulatmn, Ait. Universally known as "Tobacco" 

 on the Island. This tall weed grows in incredible profusion and 

 to a large size. I saw one 20 feet high and another with a head 

 25 feet in diameter. The circumference of the stem is sometimes 

 considerable. Mrs. Bates told me of one she had measured which 

 was no less than 44 inches, but I did not see any so large. It is, 

 however, a weed which has some redeeming points : — 

 49 



