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Notes on Loranthus exogarpi. 

 By C. F. JoHNCocK. 



[Read September 8, 1903.] 



These notes may be taken as a continuation of those offered in 

 my paper of November 5, 1901, except that they are the result 

 of observations carried on in another district. 



The number of different kinds of trees serving as host-plants in 

 the vicinity of Morphett Yale is rather surprising, as the follow- 

 ing list will show. By independent observation and by enquiry 

 I have, up to the time of writing, been able to examine growths 

 on the undermentioned trees : — 



a. Native Trees. — Casuarina quadrivalvis (sheaoak). Acacia 

 salicina, Eucalyptus rostrata (red gum), Santalum acuminatum 

 (wild peach), Exocarpus cupressi/ormis (native cherry), Callitris 

 cupressiformis (cypress pine). 



b. Exotics. — Apple, almond, pear, quince, oleander, lemon, 

 olive, fig. 



With regard to the specimen found on the lemon-tree, I was 

 struck with the fact that the petals were no longer red, with 

 green tips, but bright lemon-yellow, with green tips. Whether 

 this change in colour is accidental, or induced by the nature of 

 the nutrient material derived from the host I am in no way pre- 

 pared to say at present. I hope, however, to give the question 

 attention next season. 



The greater part of the growths I found occur on C. quadri- 

 valvis. This must be on account of the excellent opportunity 

 offered for the germination of the seed in the most favourable 

 situation. The bark of the tree being characteristically rough, 

 it naturally follows that any seed deposited on its branches is not 

 likely to be displaced again. Second in order of infection comes 

 E. cupressiformis, another rough-barked tree. The other cases 

 are, so far, unique in my experience. 



In the same paper I also said concerning the wattle bird — " I 

 hope to be able shortly to establish proof " of its being a means 

 of distributing seeds . . ." That proof I have since obtained. 

 Several birds, shot in different places in the Willochra district, 

 contained seeds in their digestive apparatus ; and I have more 

 than once observed Acanthochaera caruuculata picking the berries, 

 in this locality. 



