Feb. 1903.] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBUKGH 329 



The several classes of mountains so ably described by 

 Professor Geikie in the " Transactions of the Eoyal Scottish 

 Geographical Society " ^ are represented in the Australian 

 Alps. 



The Cobberas Mountains are examples of the Tectonic 

 class, and Mounts Tabletop, Tambo, etc., of the Eelict 

 class. 



The order Eanuxculace.e is represented by a number 

 of Alpine herbs, among which is the apparently endemic 

 Caltha introloba, so closely resembling a New Zealand 

 species. The large white-petalled R. anemonev.s is a 

 striking floral feature of the Australian alpine areas, 

 along with the yellow-petalled buttercups, E. Mudleri and 

 B. MUlani. 



The order Dilleniacej. is represented by a single 

 genus Hihbertia, with six species ascending to sub-alpine 

 habitats between 3000 and 4000 ft., such as H. strida, 

 H. serpyllifolia, H. linearis, H. difftisa, H. dentata, and H. 

 pedunculata. 



Magxoliace.e is represented by Drimys aromatica 

 (the native pepper tree), at elevations of from 2000 to 

 4000 ft. This species forms a handsome small tree. At 

 the higher alpine Jevels between 5000 and 6000 ft. it is 

 dwarfed to a low diffuse and gregarious shrub with thick 

 leaves and bark. 



MoNiMiE.E is represented by two beautiful trees at 

 sub-alpine habitats, Atherospermnm vioschatum, the native 

 sassafras of medicinal value for heart affections, and the 

 handsouie foliaged Hcdycarya Cunninghami. Both ascend 

 in humid gullies to 4600 ft. elevation. 



Laurace.e is only represented by the peculiar climbing 

 plants Cassyfha melantha and C. glahdla, which cover 

 shrubs up to elevations of 4000 to 5000 ft. 



The European order Chucifer.^ is represented by mostly 

 European genera, the ubiquitous Cardaminc hirsufa now 

 occurring all over the Alps up to 7000 ft., along with 



1 Scottish Geographical Magazine, 1901, September, vol, xvii. 



TRANS. EOT. SOC. EDIN. VOL. XXII. Y 



