^"'•^^/"'•J a Trip to the Omeo District. 173 



the lichen should he classilied as a parasite, its effect ujwn the 

 host being of such an injurious nature as to give weight to the 

 theory that it is parasitical ; but, on the other hand, it is possible 

 that the acids which are known to be present in the thallus of 

 most species of lichens may have the injurious effect usually 

 noted on the bark of plants, and, moreover, the fungus Penio- 

 phora albo-niarginata. which was intermixed with the lichen, 

 may have hastened the j^lants' death, as several of the Thele- 

 phoracece are known to have caused that effect : but these 

 theories would require further investigation before any definite 

 decision could be arrived at. 



The Swamp Paper-bark. MeUilciica cncifolia, was blooming 

 profusely all along the banks, and I was somewhat surprised 

 to see the mistletoe Loranthiis pendiihis flourishing on many 

 of these shrubs. The latter parasite I have seen during my 

 wanderings uj)on many varieties of plants, but it was the first 

 occasion u))on which 1 had seen it on this species. Many other 

 pretty shrubs were in bloom, including Hem})-l)ush, Plagianthus 

 pidchcUus, Blueberry-tree, Myoporitm uisiilarc. Prickly Box. 

 Bursaria spiiiosa, Blackwood. Acacia melanoxylon, Christmas- 

 bush, Prostanthera lasianthos, and the air was rendered fragrant 

 by the perfume of the Tree Violet, Hymenanthera Banksii. 



The inspector of nojtious weeds for the district might well 

 direct some attention to this part, for the pests Blackberry, 

 Ruhus fntlicosiis. and Spotted Thistle. Cardiius (Silybum) 

 Marianus, were l>oth flourishing profusely in the rich black 

 soil, the latter being in flower. Its large ])ink heads, held on 

 stalks some six feet in height, were propagating a great quantity 

 of seeds for the future spread of this alien. 



Between Munro and Fernbank wild-flowers in countless 

 varieties flourished in the sandy soil. Every shade ever mixed 

 upon the palette of an artist was repeated in some beauteous 

 floral form, among which were Ricinocarpus piiiifolius 

 (white). Tetratheca ciliata (pink), rndigofera aiislyalis (purple), 

 Chamcescilla corymhosa (sky-blue), and Hibbertia diffusa 

 (golden). The flowers of the latter were abnormally large, and 

 the petals took a peculiar curling form, which made the blooms 

 appear double. 



As I had spent some time botani/nig round Bunnsdale at the 

 same period of the year twelve months before. I decided to push 

 on, and started by coach for Bruthen at 4 \).m.. the following 

 day. I might mention, in passing, that all the coaches on 

 this line are built locally to a minimum weight of one ton, and 

 on the pattern used in America 75 years ago. than which 

 nothing better is known for use on rough roads. 



The route was familiar to me, and I found mysell looking 



