NOTES AND EXHIBITS. 179 



Mr. Deane exhibited a phial of water from a spring in Mrs. 

 Darvall's land, near Hyde, with specimens of the minerals deposited 

 by it (alum and sulphate of iron), and fragments of wood 

 infiltrated and quasi-petrified by these substances. 



Mr. Whittell exhibited a specimen in flower of Swainsonia 

 Greyana and read the following note : — This handsome flowering 

 plant is indigenous to the interior of this colony ; and from the 

 delicacy of its colour and general design one would scarcely expect 

 it to come from the most arid portion of our land. The plant 

 from which these flowers, &c, were taken was grown by myself at 

 Petersham from seeds which I brought from the banks of the 

 Darling River in the neighbourhood of the town of Wilcannia. 

 In this its natural habitat, I have never observed the plant exceed 

 about five feet in height. It dies away annually, rather early in 

 summer, and not even a vestige of it is seen again till early Spring. 

 The effect of change of climate on this plant is certainly startling, 

 as it appears to disregard entirely its natural habit and dimensions. 

 Thft plant from which the exhibits were taken now measures over 

 nine feet in height, the piece before you measures about nine feet 

 only ; it has been vigorous in its growth without any sign of 

 natural decay for one year and six months, and as you will 

 observe is still in a healthy state. The old shoots are still 

 flowering and have been flowering without cessation for at least 

 one year. Another peculiarity is that on exceeding their natural 

 height some of the stems have a tendency to twine around any 

 support that presents itself in a manner peculiar to climbing or 

 running plants proper. I may add that this plant is popularly 

 supposed to produce a sort of insanity, ending in some cases in 

 death in stock that feed upon it. I am of opinion that this is 

 incorrect; I have never seen any stock actually feeding upon it, but 

 I have seen horses eat freely, without any ill effect, of another 

 species of the same genus (?) which grows plentifully on the black 

 soil flats which are at times inundated by the waters of the Darling. 

 The Hon. William Macleay, who has had large experience in a 

 district where this plant grows, informed me a few days ago that he 

 also was of opinion that it is not poisonous to stock. The quantity 



