164 THE CAMEL FODDER-PLANTS OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA. 



LEGUMINOSiE. 



19. Mirbelia microphylloides, sp. nov. Suffrutex erectus 

 spinescens, ramis mox minute et appresse pubescentibus puberulisve, 

 spinis elongatis tenuibus pateutibus, foliis circa spinas congestis 

 parvis obovato-oblongis planis, calycis appresse puberuli lobis tubo 

 brevioribus summis alte connatis, vexillo calycem duple superante, 

 carina alia Eequilonga, ovario stipitato villosulo, ovulis 4. 



Hab. Viget prope Coolgarclie ubi repperi mens. Aug. florentem. 



Circiter metralis. Kadix baud visus. Rami leviter angulati 

 necnon striati. Spinae rectfe vel leviter decurvfe, deorsum ampliatte 

 e pulvinis parvis fusco-pubescentibus exeuntibus, 0-5-1 -0 cm. long. 

 Folia subsessilia, obscure mucronulata, pleraque circa 0-4 cm. long, 

 et 0-15-0-2 cm. lat. Flores breviter pedunculati, lutei, rubro 

 infusi. Calyx totus 0*4 cm. long. ; lobi ejus anteriores parvi, circa 

 O'l cm. long., triangulares, subacuti ; lobi posteriores deltoidei, 

 tertia pro parte liberi. Vexillum rotundatum, leviter emarginatum, 

 vix 0'6 cm. long, et lat. Carina alteque 0"55 cm. long., longe 

 nnguiculati. Ovarium lineari-oblongum, stipite vix eum semi- 

 fequante suffultum. Stylus sat pinguis, ipso sub stigmate subito 

 curvatus. Legumen non vidi. 



The affinity of this plant is undoubtedly with M. spinosa Bth., 

 M. microphi/Ua Bth., and ill. muHicmdis Bth. The first of these has 

 linear leaves with revolute margins, its calyx-lobes are much longer 

 and acuminate, the standard is wider than broad, and the keel 

 markedly shorter than the wings ; it also has a sessile glabrous 

 ovary with from 6 to 8 ovules. The other two species agree with 

 the one now described in having leaves without revolute margins, 

 and a stipitate ovary, but the leaves of M. microplujUa are different 

 in shape, and there are various floral divergences, including the 

 complete union of the upper calyx-lobes, the relatively shorter keel, 

 and glabrous ovary with 6-8 ovules. The leaves of M. multicaidis 

 also are somewhat different, as also are the calyx and corolla ; 

 moreover, the ovary has 12-15 ovules, as compared with the 4 of 

 the present plant. I should not like to say that this is a really 

 good food for camels, inasmuch as the Podalirm generally are 

 liable to suspicion. I only know that our camels ate it, and 

 apparently without any ill effects. 



20. Medicago deyiticidata Willd. Bullabulling, close to the rocks, 

 Sept. Doubtless introduced, and most probably by teamsters. 



21. Acacia erinacea Bth. Near Coolgardie, Aug. 



22. A. acuminata Bth. Bullabulling, Sept. This is the largest 

 ^cflfcia seen upon the goldfields ; and is the only real "wattle" — 

 as the term is understood in the eastern colonies — met with up 

 country. 



23. A. subccEfulea Ldl. Near Coolgardie, Aug. As already 

 mentioned, other Acacias of the collection are doubtless eaten by 

 camels, but the fact was not noted by me. It is the lusher species 

 of this genus which are most liked ; some are so dry as to be 

 comparatively of little value. 



