BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 91 
subterranean species. Every one of these shoots annually 
terminates in a flower, which again throws out similar shoots, 
until the plant becomes a complete mass of leaves, flowers 
and seed-vessels. I send you likewise a branch, with its 
leaves and withered seed-vessels, of a Xylomela, of which some 
account was formerly given ; also the highly curious capsules 
of a plant, resembling a Mesembryanthemum,* which expands 
when wet, and closes when dry; a dewy night affording suf- 
ficient moisture to cause the seed-vessels to exhibit this re- 
markable phenomenon, which reverses the usual order of 
nature. These capsules retain the same property for a con- 
siderable length of time, opening when wetted, and shutting 
up when the atmosphere is dry, even after they have been 
closely rolled in paper. A portion of the stem of this plant, 
Which I now forward, will give you some idea of the vast 
number of flowers, produced by a patch, many yards in 
diameter, (fa 
There is, also, a fine specimen of a Hakea, with willow-like 
leaves, from the Meerdup Hills; it attains a height of thirty 
feet, and has drooping branches, like the weeping Willow. 1 
have now upwards of fifty species of this genus, besides 
some remarkable varieties of the heterophyllous species. 
have just returned from an exploring expedition, 
fifty miles to the north, in which I was accompanied by 
my youngest son, and Capt. Scully, the Government Resi- 
dent in this district. We discovered the best land for sheep 
yet found in the Swan River Colony, and have named the 
country, Victoria Plains. There were, however, very few 
new plants ; among them a Calothamuus, with downy seed- 
Vessels, of which I transmit specimens ; a Dryandra, which 
> very prickly foliage, and a Grevillea, with downy buds; 
E think to have seen the same as the latter, near the Salt 
er, 
l trust you may be able to read this letter, which I have 
* See as before, p. 81. 
