162 THE CAMEL FODDER-PLANTS OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA. 



other duties to perform, it was quite impossible for me to follow 

 the hobbled camels about, and note whatever they happened to be 

 browsing upon ; so that, although many opportunities were given 

 of studying the subject, there can be no doubt but that many plants 

 well suited to serve as fodder for camels have been overlooked. 

 With this proviso the list may now be given. 



Crucifee^. 



1. Blennodia brevipes F. Muell. Near Coolgardie, Aug. 



2. B. cardaminoides F. Muell. var. microcarpa (nob.). Near Cool- 

 gardie, Aug. A lowly variety, with small siliquas only 4-6 mm. in 

 length. 



3. Ahjssum linifolium Steph. Environs of Coolgardie, Aug. 

 A very small form, 1-2 in. high. 



4. Menkea coolgardiensis, sp. nov. Kepens, sparsim foliosa, 

 foliis lobatis deorsum cuueatis petiolatis, caulinis summis sub- 

 sessilibus, floribus parvis nee minutis, petalis albis, stylo brevissimo 

 in fructu stigma fequante, siliculis oblongis compressis pedicellum 

 gracilem sequantibus vel eo pauUo brevioribus. 



Hab. Prope Coolgardie mens. Aug. floret. 



Herba sparsim puberula habitu M. australis Lehm. Rami 

 repentes vix spithamei, graciles. Folia oblonga vel lineari-oblonga, 

 1-4-lobata, summa nonnunquam Integra vel subintegra, obtusissima, 

 radicalia vix usque 2'0 cm. long., petiolis tenuibus 0-5 cm. velpaullo 

 longioribus fulta ; caulina 0-5-1-0 cm. long. Eacemi elongati, 

 pluriflori. Pedicelli mox alabastra breviter excedentes, sub floribus 

 usque ad 0"3 cm. long., ascendentes vel patentes. Flores expansi 

 vix 0-3 cm. diam. Sepala oblonga, obtusa, 0-15-0-2 cm. long., 

 aetate deflexa et diu persistentia. Petala anguste oblonga, obtusa, 

 0-15 cm. long. Stamina 6; anther® lute®, ovatae, filamentis 

 deorsum dilatatis multo breviores. Ovarium late ovatum, stigmata 

 comparate magno subsessili coronatum. Siliculae basi breviter an- 

 gustatfe, 0*4 cm. long., vix 0-2 cm, lat. Semina parva, purpureo- 

 brunnea, funiculis gracillimis persistentibus more generis fulta. 



Nearest to 21. australis Lehm., of which it has the habit. It 

 differs from that species chiefly in the much larger flowers with 

 their persistent reflexed sepals, as well as in the differently shaped 

 silicules. I have not seen M. sphm-ocarpa F. Muell., but I cannot 

 make the present plant fit in with Mueller's description of the 

 other, although both agree in having persistent reflexed sepals. 

 Judging from the description, i1/. spharocarpa has quite different 

 silicules, and moreover its leaves are said to be toothed merely, its 

 sepals ovate, and its petals rotund and clawed. 



5. Lepidium ruderale L. Near Coolgardie, Aug. 



6. L. papillosum F. Muell. Near Coolgardie, Aug. A small 

 form not exceeding 9 cm. in height, and often only half that size. 



7. Raphanus sativus L. Bullabulliug, Sept. Seen here only 

 in moist places close to the gnamma-rocks. Most probably intro- 

 duced, the place having served for months as a camping ground for 

 teamsters. The plants of this order are to be found only for a few 



