BY F. M. BAILEY, F.L.S. 26 



of this genus may be seen in our gardens, where the singularity 

 of their flowers always attract attention. 



The first Monocotyledonous plant met with in our flora is 

 Uydrocliaris morsusranm, Linn., the I^'rogbit of England and 

 Morene of the French. The leaves are spoken of as mucilaginous 

 and astringent. Here as in England, this is one of the prettiest 

 plants of our still waters. Leaves thick, heart-shaped, floating ; 

 flowers white, most abundant in March on the still waters off 

 Brisbane E-iver. 



Ottelia alisinoides, Pers. A large aquatic of tropical Queensland, 

 in India is used as a pot-herb, and at one time seems to have 

 enjoyed some reputation for removing the effects of the venom 

 of the sea-dog. The leaves of this plant are often submerged 

 and six inches in diameter. 



According to the Pharmacopaeia of India, the leaves of the 

 Banana are in common use in the Bombay G-eneral European 

 Hospital, for dressing blistered surfaces. For this purpose it is 

 stated a piece of the leaf of the required size, smeared with any 

 bland vegetable oil, is applied to the denuded surface and kept 

 in situ by means of a bandage. A pleasant soothing sensation 

 is communicated to the blistered surface which is found generally 

 to heal satisfactory in four or five days. For the first two days 

 the upper smooth surface of the leaf is placed next the skin and 

 subsequently the under side, until the healing process is complete. 

 An abundance of Banana plants either cultivated oi indigenous 

 is always to be obtained close to hand in Queensland. 



No important medicinal properties have been detected in any 

 of our Orchids, yet a wholesome food might be prepared from the 

 thick starchy stems of several sjoecies. 



Our species of Hcdmodorum a genus of AmaryUidece should be 

 tried for a red dye, which it probably possesses, similar to an 

 allied North American plant. The plant may be obtained in 



