

932 



THE BOTANY OF THE "CLEARS" AND "BASALT 

 MASSES," COUNTY OF HUNTER, N.S. WALES. 



By a. C. Barwick. 

 (Communicated hy R. T. Baker, F.L.S ) 



There is a remarkable feature in the botany of this county 

 that, as far as I have been able to ascertain, has never yet been 

 recorded. I refer to the " Clears." In certain parts of the 

 county there is found to exist, or rather perhaps flourish, a 

 flora, which, if not entirely distinct, yet diff'ers so considerably 

 from that of the surrounding country that it must be regarded 

 as diff"erentiating from it in a marked degree. 



This characteristic vegetation has given rise amongst the local 

 residents to the term "Clears," which name is applied by them 

 to denote not only this peculiar or distinctive flora, but also the 

 particular rich volcanic soil upon which it thrives. When I state 

 that there is an absence of undergrowth of bushes and shrubs 

 such as pertains in the neighbouring bush, the meaning of the 

 word is apparent. 



Grass, however, is abundant, and consequently these specially 

 favoured localities are in much request for pasturing and other 

 purposes. These "Clears" and "Basalt Masses" are situated 

 in the parishes of Putty, Tupa, Parry, Gullongulong, Tollagong, 

 Myrtle and Wareng, and lying between 32° 50' and 33'^ 5' S. lat., 

 and between 150^ 35' and 150° 55' E. long.; and, as far as I have 

 been able to enumerate them, are as follows: — (1) Clear Farm, 

 (2) Jacob's Hollow Clear, (3) Boxy or Box Tree Clear, (4) Little 

 Clear, (5) Putty Hill, which I am informed is also called Mt. 

 Gullongulong, (6) Condon Clear, (7) Box Bump, (8) Green Hills, 



