Proceedings, gy 



Mr. Edwin Ashby presented three bottles of Eeptilia and 

 Amphibia m spirits ; and a number of Australian plants ; also 

 twenty-eight skins of Australian birds. 



Mr. E. Ashby then described ' The Flora of South Aus- 



TEALIA ' : 



On the sand-hills around the Gulf of St. Vincent composite 

 plants of the "everlasting" type abound, along with a few 

 Sedges and Geraniums. In the Pine-woods are a few Orchids 

 {Caladima dilatata). On the roadways many Enghsh weeds are 

 met with and a Marigold, known as the "Cape Dandelion." 

 Another Cape plant, called " Stinkweed," with very hairy 

 leaves, sprmgs up in the fields after the corn has been 

 gathered in, and keeps the ground from getting baked. 



In the undulating country towards the hills three kinds of 

 Campanula are found. On the hill-ranges Orchids grow more 

 freely. Three lihaceous plants are met with ; also Euphrasia 

 Browm; and an azure-blue flower, "Blue-button." Amongst 

 the EpacridcB on the hills a creeping Drosera grows. Gra- 

 viUias are also found. 



In the guUeys leguminous shrubs are met with after an 

 ascent of 200 ft. On the hills are also the She-Oak; the 

 Hak<Ba, with very prickly leaves ; Eucahjpti ; and the Banksia 

 or Native Honeysuckle. The Epacris grows high up, under 

 the Stringy-bark. 



Owing to the dryness and heat. Ferns are few, but 

 Asjilenium fiageUifolium grows in the gulleys. The Wattle, 

 a species of Acacia, comes up with a pinnate leaf, which it 

 drops, only retaiumg a widened leaf-stalk. All over the hill- 

 country grow the white flowers of Leptospennum squarrosum, 

 on which beetles congregate. A favourite garden-plant is 

 known as " Native Lilac " ; and a parasite, with red flowers, 

 a Lorantkus, is popularly known as "Native Mistletoe." 



Mr. Ashby exhibited specimens of most of the plants 

 alladed to. 



Evening Meeting.— December IGin, 1887. 

 A paper on ' Pumimcnhis Flammnia,' by Mr. W. H. Beeby 

 was presented by the author. 



