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representatives of the indigenous flora, the formidable 

 "bauera" and "horizontal," which to at least ninety per 

 cent, of the people of Tasmania are known only by name. 



The former (Bauera rubloides) shows itself here and there 

 (.n the mount aiii slopes near Hobart as a low trailing shrub, 

 hardly noticeable but for its pretty pinkish-white flowers. In 

 the Western Country it flourishes in dense masses and belts, 

 its pliant and unbreakable stems closely interlaced, so that it 

 is only with extreme difficulty that any passage can be made 

 through the tangle. When the general height of the scrub does 

 not exceed 3 er 4 feet, the explorer may roll over it or tread 

 it down, and so get on slowly ; but when the matted bines 

 reach a height of over 6ft. the situation is not one to be 

 envied. Taking advantage of a chance stump, he may raise 

 himself on to the top of the unresisting mass, only to sink 

 into a hollow from which extrication is difficult. Or he may 

 try to force a way, inch by inch, by tearing apart the inter- 

 laced bines, every now and then getting his face and wrists 

 deeply scored by the saw-like blades of " cutting grass " 

 (Gahnia [Cladium'] psittacomm), a frequent companion of 

 "bauera," the opening meanwhile closing behind him, so that, 

 if forced to beat a retreat, he cannot easily retrace his steps. 

 Or, finally, when this mode of travelling has used up all his 

 strength, he may throw himself flat on the wet clay in which 

 this scrub delights to grow, and wriggle himself under it for 

 a few yards. At this stage the average explorer, single- 

 handed, will give up the attempt in despair, unless the belt 

 is evidently a narrow one, or the question of success or 

 failure involves a question of life or death. 



The " horizontal " (Anodopetalum biglandulosum) is of a 

 different type. Iu the early stages of its growth a belt of 

 this scrub consists of innumerable slender upright stems in 

 close order. When these reach the size and height of an 

 average hop- pole they are usually bent over to one side by 

 the force of the prevailing wind, and by their own weight, to 

 which is added an occasional capping of snow in the winter, 

 gradually sink down until they are nearly parallel with the 

 ground. The next stage is the growth from every bud 

 along the prostrate stems of a forest of shoots, which 

 strive upwards for a few years and then fall in the same 

 manner, though of ten in a different direction, and this process 

 may be repeated for an indefinite period. The prospector 

 who encounters " horizontal " in its advanced stage may have 

 to climb ten or fifteen feet from the ground before he can 

 advance a yard, and will be fortunate if he can keep his inse- 

 cure footing on the slender twigs. A slip means a sudden 

 drop to the ground below, which he will reach in a more or 

 less dilapidated condition. The descent to Avernus is easy 



