72 D'Alton, Botany of the ''Little Desert^ [vol'"xxx 



There grew at one time, on the south-west corner of the 

 Disputed Territory, a sohtary bush of a Hakea resembhng 

 H. fdicina, having crimson blossoms. On making a sub- 

 sequent visit I found that a bush-fire had swept through the 

 scrub some time before and had destroyed the beautiful shrub 

 completely. This bush was noticed by several persons long 

 before I saw it, particularly l)y the then Tallageira Station 

 overseer, Mr. Cattanach, who directed me to it. The station 

 in those days possessed a well-kept garden, full of flowers and 

 fruit-trees. But on visiting it later on I forftid everything in 

 a state of decay and dilapidation ; the dwelling was un- 

 tenanted. 



I will now conclude this paper with a few remarks as to the 

 best way to reach this region. The eastern end of the Desert 

 is best explored from Dimboola, either on horseback or on 

 foot. A vehicle could be used, but the travelling would be 

 very heavy in places. The southern margin could be visited 

 from Mortat Station, via Natimuk and Goroke railway, which 

 starts from Horsham. I am sure that Mr. F. G. Robertson, 

 the owner of the station, would be only too happy to provide 

 a night's lodging, and a horse and trap to explore the neigh- 

 bouring scrub, to any member of the Field Naturalists' Club 

 who would feel disposed to pay a visit to the district. The 

 northern part could be approached from Nhill, Lawloit, 

 Kaniva, and Lillimur by making previous arrangements with 

 residents of these places, who w^ould, I am sure, be glad to 

 pilot a party into the interior of the scrub. 



I might add that the interior of the Desert is singularly 

 devoid of bird-life ; it is only around the margins where there 

 is any variety, and therefore members who take an interest 

 in such life would probably be disappointed with a visit to 

 the Little Desert. 



In view of the interest attaching to the great variety of plants 

 to be met with in the Little Desert, it has been thought 

 desirable to make a complete census of all the plants I have 

 noted in the district. This has been done by my friend. Dr. C. 

 S. Sutton, who has also added the vernacular names as proposed 

 by the Plant Names Committee, and the more important altera- 

 tions in generic and specific names which are intended to be 

 adopted in the next census of Victorian plants. 



DlLLENIACE^ 



Hibbertia densitlora , F. v. M. — Silky Guinea-flower. 



stricta, R. Br. — Erect Guinea-flower. 



fasciculata, R. Br. — Bundled Guinea-flower. 



virgata, R. Br. — Twiggy Guinea-flower. 

 Ranunculace^ — 



Ranunculus lappaceus, Sm. — Common Buttercup. •. 

 Clematis microphylla, D. C. — Smaller Clematis. 



