120 ON THE RELATIONS OF THE BRISBANE FLORA, 



of the tropical stragglers. And this resemblance points to a 

 remarkable fact that must be taken into account in estimating 

 the Australian flora. We have both in genera and species a 

 certain amount of world-wide forms, and these are for the most 

 part species which are richest in individuals as well. If we 

 were, for instance, to take away the grasses, ferns, sedges, and 

 rushes, {Juncece, &c.,) from the Brisbane flora, its connection with 

 the floras of other parts of the world would seem very slight, 

 but in the absence of such members of a flora, the aspect of the 

 country would be a desert indeed. Take them all in all, 

 therefore, our resemblances are greater than our differences, and 

 this must limit our notions of the exclusive peculiarities of the 

 Australian flora. 



We must next enquire what are the peculiarities of this flora. 

 I cannot do better in this matter than enumerate those stated by 

 Dr. Hooker in his admirable essay, which forms the introduction 

 to the Flora of Tasmania. He says the chief peculiarities of the 

 Australian flora are that it contains more genera and species 

 peculiar to its own area, and fewer plants belonging to other 

 parts of the world than any other country of equal extent. 

 About two-fifths of its genera, and upwards of seven-eighths of 

 its species are entirely confined to Australia. Many of the plants 

 have a very peculiar habit or physiognomy, giving in some cases 

 a character to the forest scenery, (as Eucalypti, Proteacece, Acacice, 

 Casuarince, Coniferce,) or are themselves of anomalous or 

 grotesque appearance (as Xanthorrlicea, Kingia, Belabechia, 

 Casuarina, Banhsia, Bryandra, &c.) A great many of the species 

 have anomalous organs, as the pitchers of Cephalotus, the 

 deciduous bark, and remarkable vertical leaves of the Eucalypti, 

 the phyllodia of Acacia, the fleshy peduncle of Exocarpus, the 

 inflorescence and ragged foliage of many Proteacece. Many 

 genera and species display singular structural peculiarities, as 

 the ovules of Banhsia, calyptra of Eucalyptus, stigma of 

 Goodeniacece, staminal column of Stijliclium, irritable labellum of 



