16 
Parakeelya ( Calandrinia balonensis).—Is the aboriginal name of a 
plant widely distributed in the drier and hotter parts of the continent. 
This is an erect-growing plant of from 6 inches to 1 foot high, or 
more ; the slender branching stems of which are clothed with thick, 
fleshy leaves 1 inch to 2 inches long. Its rather large purple flowers 
are disposed on terminal stalks. When figuring and describing, under 
instructions from the Government of Western Australia, the plants 
of economic value that compose the pasture herbage of the western 
part of the continent, my attention was drawn to this plant with 
very succulent leaves as being one of the best to assuage the thirst 
of stock that eat it. It is now well known that Parakeelya affords 
both feed and moisture to herbivora in waterless country, and there 
are authentic records of stock having travelled nearly 300 miles 
without a drink of water over country where this plant was 
growing. Some allied species have similar properties. The 
Purslane, or Munyeroo, of the aborigines (Portulaca oleracea), is an 
annual, belonging to the same family as the Para eelya, with 
succulent stems and leaves which are much relished by most pasture 
animals, and which in the interior often afford them both feed and 
moisture. This plant produces numerous, small, black seeds, which 
are collected and used as an article of food by the aborigines in the 
back country. Its stems and leaves are often cooked and eaten. 
particularly fond of its succulent stems and leaves, which not only 
provide good feed, but assuage the thirst of the animals that eat 
: ; see : meee: 
great importance of these plants in the pastures, and the necessity 
of systematically conserving them in order to keep the grazing 
areas in a suitable condition for feeding stock. 
Frep. Turner, 
III.—PLANT DISEASES.—IX. DRY SCAB OF POTATOES. 
(Spondylocladium atrovirens, Harz.) 
G. Massrr. 
This disease is caused by a parasitic fungus named Spondylocladinm 
atrovirens, Harz. It has been known on the Continent since 1871, 
and under the name of Phellomyces sclerotiophorus, Frank, is stated 
by Professor Johnson to be the cause of serious trouble to the 
potato crop in Ireland. It also occurs in the United States. 
Within the past few weeks three samples of diseased potatoes 
were submitted to Kew for examination. Two of these came from 
different parts of Scotland, the other from England. The disease 
in each instance proved to be “ D Scab,” whi 
was believed to be absent from Britain, Cis pho seco: 
