43 KEW HOLLAND IX ErROPE. 
ill such numerous species, and tlie species are represented by sucl\ in- 
numerable individuals, tliat they alone determine the features and the 
condition of the forests. The same remark applies to the countless mul- 
titude of those heath-like plants, the Epacruh, which are to New Hol- 
land n*hat the Tjricas are to the Cape of Good Hope. The peculiarity 
of these trees and shrubs, and their abundance, have induced botanical 
geojjraphers to designate the extra-tropical parts of New HoUand ^' tlie 
region of gum-trees and Epacrids'^ But these are not the only types 
characteristic of this quarter of the globe: tlie Froteacece^ Santalcre^ 
MonhniacefSy and Antlioholere are equally prominent. True, some of 
them have sent outposts to other continents; but their principal army 
13 statioaed in New Holland and the adjacent islands : the Froteace.fF^ 
especially, are spread over the whole continent in numerous genera and 
species. Nor must we omit to mention as characteristic of New 
Holland several genera of Lpguminq^m and Coruferm. There are also 
nfimerous species of Acacia-^, with curiously enlarged leafstalks pecu- 
liar to the Australian types; and, amongst the Coniferce, the genera 
Araucaria^ Fodocarpus^ and partly Callilris. 
Let us now see how far these characteristic plants of NeAV Holland 
are represented in our European "Eocene formation. Not only do we 
meet with several fragments of the polymorphous Order MyriacerE^ but 
it is phiin the genus EncaJyplm itself is represented amongst the fos- 
sils. Of several species, the peculiar leaves, as well as the fruit, have 
been found. The same is the case with the Epoc7'ids, although as yet 
only a single leaf furnishes evidence of the former existence of this now 
widely-diffused Natural Order. But much more stress has been laitl 
upon the Proteacere than the Ihjrtacere and Epacrids as the charac- 
teristic plants of the Eocene period. We have found of them diiFerent 
leaves, fruit, and seed, and are in a position to make out even certain 
genera, such as Banksia, Enjandra, Ilakea, Embofhrium^ Grcvilleay 
Lomatia^ Penoonia, FetropJtylhan^ etc. Thus it would appear that 
tlie Proteacece, now constituting a principal part of the peculiar scrub- 
vegetation of New Holland, played a simiUir role during a former 2:eo- 
logical epoch of Europe. Greater stress has, however, to be laid be- 
cause the character of New HoUand and the Southern Hemisphere is 
more especially determined by thtm— upon the presence of certain 
members of the Natural Orders Santalaeere, Antlioholece, and the allied 
JJonimiacetB. I allude particularly to the genug Zeptomnay of which 
