AUSTRALIAN VEGETATION. 273 
derangements manifested by pasture animals which feed on the Darfiog 
fever Pea (Swainsonla Grayana), need yet extensive investigation but 
may find their explanation in the fact that the organic poisonous prin- 
ciple is only locally, under conditions yet obscure, developed, or in the 
probable circumstance that, like in a few other leguminous plants, the 
deleterious properties are strongly concentrated in the seed The 
gorgeous Desert Pea {Clianthus Dampleril), which, in its capricious 
distribution, has been traced sparingly from the Lachlan River to the 
north-west coast, offers still to seed-collectors a lucrative gain. 
A prominent aspect in the vegetation of south-west Australia 
emanates from the comparatively large number of singularly beautiful 
Banhia trees, preponderant there like the arboreous Qranllea in North 
Australia. The existence of but two of that genus, Banksia Aust rails 
and B. ornate, in the extensive tract of interior- and coast-land from 
the head of the Australian Bight to the vicinity of Port Philip renders 
the occurrence of an increased number of trees of this kind in East 
Australia again still more odd. Eutaceous and Goodeniaceous plants, 
though in no part of the Australian continent rare, attain in the south- 
*fist their greatest numerical development, and should not be passed 
s > entry, or, like Epacrldece, as merely ornamental plants, though still 
so rare m our gardens ; but these elegant plants deserve also attention 
°'- their diaphoretic properties, or for the bitter tonic principle which 
pervades nearly all the species of the two Orders. StyUdvt arc here 
Sl more numerous than in our ncrtli, and comprise forms of great 
Dea ness » Av "i le Sundews (Droserce) are also found to be more fre- 
quent than in any other part of Australia, and, indeed, of the globe. 
^ <m, glittering in their crystalline dew, they appear as the harbingers 
pnng from year to year, they are greeted always anew with admi- 
« But the greatest charm of the vegetation consists in the hun- 
ieds of Myrtaceous bushes peculiar to the west, all full of aromatic 
^ » among these, again, the feather-flowered, numerous Ferticordia, 
crimson Calothamni, and the heathy Calythrlces vie with each other 
aments. Of this Order many gorgeous plants exist also in 
hi T eS ? ecial ty e xtra-tropical, parts of Australia. The numerous 
ot Leguiumosce and Proteacece iu south-west Australia are also 
n o- The introduction of all these into Eurjpean conservatories 
™PJ be made the object of profitable employment. Annual herbs of 
x renie mm„f^„„. ,..,_ .. ... chiefl to Co 'it<e, Umbelliferce, Siy- 
of 
ti. 
V0L - V. [june 1, 1867.] 
o 
