BY DR. KAREL DOMIN. 69 



/sandstones are broken and the lower strata are coming on 

 the surface. Sometimes it is in the form of a gully, and 

 "then the greater moisture is in favour of forest. It would 

 be superfluous to mention that in these forest pockets are 

 regular bush fires, while in the lancewood scrubs there are 

 none. 



From Jericho eastwards we find again a different type 

 of wattle scrub, very closed and dense, with prevalent 

 Acacia and Eucalyptus. Bottle trees {Sterculia rupestris) 

 are very abundant, but are not clustered together. 



Great areas in the Central and Western districts of 

 Queensland are occupied by the Rolling Downs forma- 

 tion, and covered Avith open grassy plains ; in the Northern 

 j)art with prevalent Mitchell grass {Astrehla pectinata and 

 others) and Flinders grass {Anthistiria memhranacea) ; in 

 the Southern more with blue grass [Andropagon sericeus). 



These open plains possess an association, which has 

 Jio parallel in any other part of the world. It is usually not 

 a dense vegetation. The predominant grass is the deeply 

 rooting, perennial Mitchell grass, really a marvellous fodder. 

 Between its tufts there grow after the rain plenty of annual 

 plants, of which the Flinders and Button grasses are the most 

 valuable. In the Eastern parts we often find patches of 

 scrub, especially boree. But further Westwards there are 

 miles and miles of open plains, and only near the water- 

 courses are scattered gums (especially the so-called coolibah) 

 and tea trees {Melaleuca sp.). Some few shrubs are growing 

 in small gullies ; very common is a thorny Acacia called 

 " Mimosa," and regarded as a sign of Avater underneath. 

 Fuchsia bush — a species of Eremophila — is scattered here 

 and there. Of the taller treees there are found some few 

 " emu-apples," whitewood, Myoporum, etc. 



Rolling Downs give the best possible grazing land. 

 If in the future the system of conserving hay may become 

 general, there will be no such catastrophes as after the big 

 drought. But I do not think that there is a possibility for 

 close agricultural settlement. This part is a splendid 

 grazing country, ajnd gives besides opportunity for growing 

 fruit and some vegetation to a smaller extent along the 

 bigger watercourses. It is a pity that this is until now 

 in hands of Chinese, who make good profit, but do not spend 

 :their money in Queensland. It would be a great advantage 



