134 AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS. 
61. Lotus australis, Azdr., (Syn. Z. levigatus, Benth ; L. 
albidus, Lodd.) ; N.O., Leguminosz, B.FI., ii., 188. 
All the colonies. 
Lotus corniculatus, Z7uz. , 
All the colonies except Western Australia and Queensland. 
These plants are often reputed poisonous in Australia, which 
is doubtless a mistake, as they make excellent fodder, and are 
considered valuable ingredients in meadows and pastures. (Bailey.) 
Doubtless this idea has arisen owing to the poisonous nature 
of some leguminous bushes similar in leaf and habit. Baron 
Mueller, however, states (Trans. R. S. Victoria, vol. vi., 1861-4), 
that this plant causes sheep to perish, in some cases, in half an 
hour. The most contrary evidence as to the effect of these plants 
on stock is to hand from Western New South Wales. 
‘“‘T am inclined to believe that many leguminous plants reputed 
to be poisonous are not really so, but that an excess of either 
foliage or seeds eaten by a hungry animal throws off such an abun- 
dance of gases, that ‘‘hoove” ensues, which is nothing more than an 
excessive distension of the stomach, pressing against the diaphragm, 
preventing the lungs from working, and the animal is really 
strangled to death. To this cause I attribute all the deaths (and 
they are very numerous) caused by Loftus australis, var. Behrit, 
really an excellent fodder plant, akin to the Lucernes, but when 
seeding, and especially after rain, if hungry sheep are allowed to 
feed greedily upon it they die by hundreds, while sheep in con- 
finement, and fed solely upon it, do not die, but actually thrive, as 
was shown some years since in Adelaide.’ (S. Dixon, of. cét¢.) 
62. Malvastrum spicatum, 4. Gray, (Syn. Malva spicata, Linn. ; 
M. ovata, Cav.; M. timorensis, DC., M. brachystachya, 
F.v.M.); N.O., Malvacez, B.FI., i., 187. 
Some squatters have considered this a valuable sheep-herb. 
(Bailey.) This plant is not endemic in Australia. 
South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. 
