144 ^otes. [Vjct. 



Nat. 

 XXX. 



The Erythrinas, or " Coral-trees." — ^The Erythrinas 

 constitute a genus of handsome plants, principally trees and 

 shrubs. There are, in all, about 30 species distributed through- 

 out tropical regions in different parts of the world. The generic 

 name is derived from erythros, red, in allusion to the colour 

 of the flowers. Two species are Australian — viz., E. indica 

 and E. vesper tilio. The best known to Australians is the 

 former, which is the tree grown so abundantly about Sydney 

 and the surrounding suburbs, and sometimes called the 

 " Flame-tree." This plant is strikingly beautiful by reason 

 of its gorgeous red flowers, which are borne in great profusion, 

 principally at the apex of the stems. In Melbourne it is very 

 shy in flowering, owing, probably, to the less tropical character 

 of the cHmate. There are a number of well-grown plants in 

 the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, some of which are about 

 20 feet in height. This year flowers have developed in greater 

 abundance than previously on one of the plants in the " Mound 

 Garden," where it presents a very bright and gorgeous appear- 

 ance. A fine specimen of another species, E. secundiflora, a 

 native of Brazil, having bright scarlet flowers, is now flowering 

 in perfection on the Hopetoun Lawn, and, like some other 

 species, this plant is leafless while in bloom. E. acanthocarpa, 

 E. Meyer, known as the Tambookie Thorn, and E. Caffra, 

 Thunberg, the Caffre Coral-tree, both natives of South 

 Africa, are also flowering at the present time in the Gardens. 

 The other species growing here are : — E. arborescens, Roxburgh, 

 Himalayas ; E. Blakei, hybrid ; E. corallodendron, Linn., 

 North America and West Indies ; E. crista-galli, Linn., Brazil : 

 E. crista-galli, var. compacta, Brazil ; E. Harrisonii, Hort, 

 garden origin ; E. Humei, E. Meyer, South Africa ; E. latissima, 

 E. Meyer, South Africa ; E. insignis, Todaro ; E. herbacea, 

 Linn., North America and West Indies ; E. speciosa, Andrews, 

 West Indies. All of these are beautiful and attractive objects 

 as they come into bloom during the summer months. — F. 

 Pitcher, isth November, 1913. 



"Fifty Miles Round Melbourne." — Such is the title of 

 G. R. Broadbent's map and guide to the holiday resorts near 

 Melbourne, and field naturalists and others who want reliable 

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 than purchase a copy of the new edition just issued. All the 

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 and one need have no fear of getting bushed if a copy of the 

 map is at hand. Its moderate price, one shilling, places it 

 within reach of all. 



