136 BOTANICAL NOTES OX QUEENSLAND, 



From Dr. E,. B. Eead — Figures of Molluscous Animals selected 

 from various authors by Maria E. Gray, 4 vols. 8vo, 18-12 — 1850. 



PAPERS READ. 



Botanical Notes on Queensland. — No, II., The Tropics. 



By the Kev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, F.G.S., F.L S. 



These notes are meant to give something more than a mere list 

 of names and the habitats of plants, but to suppl}', as far as my 

 observations have extended what has not been included in any of 

 our published floras. This is to point out the range, and where 

 I know them, the economical uses of any of the Northern 

 Queensland plants. It must be observed however that in so 

 incomplete and desultory a series of observations, that any 

 systematic order cannot be followed. 



Dilleniac.e. 



Wormia alata, R. Br. This splendid tree becomes first visible 

 on the coast about Cairns. I did not see it at Townsville or on 

 any part of the more southerly tropical shores. From Cairns 

 right up to Cape York it is the constant and abundant ornament 

 of the sea coast. It grows very close to the waters edge and 

 sometimes in places where it must be occasionally inundated by 

 the sea. The leaves are of very large size, often over a foot in 

 length and four or five inches wide, bright green, and shining 

 above, with prominent midrib and side veins. This is the only 

 Australian representative of the true tropical Dilleniads, which 

 however are closely allied to the peculiarly Australian tribe 

 Silhertioi. A more showy or valuable tree for its shade, with 

 its large handsome yellow flowers could not be imagined. It has 

 alight brown scaly bark on which grows a new and pretty fungus 

 which is peculiar to Australia [Laschia Thwaitesii). There is a 

 prejudice amongst the northern settlers against this tree which 

 is supposed to be the cause of fever, but I think that the blame 

 should rather be laid upou the places where it grows. No 



