VEGETABLE VAGARIES. 281 



is nearly midway between Broome and King's Sound, further north. A band 

 of low-growing Mangroves constitutes, as will be recognised, the background to this 

 picture. 



On the sandy ridges in close proximity to the outskirts of the Mangrove belt 

 in Koebuck Bay, the very characteristic grass, Spinifex loiiyifolins, represented by the 

 lower of the two figures on page 280 will scarcely escape notice. With the colonists 

 it is popularly known as Roley-Poley grass. This title has been given to it with 

 reference to the spherical contour of the seed heads, and the unique conditions under 

 which their distribution is accomplished. On arriving at maturity these globular seed- 

 heads become detached en masse from their supporting stalk, and roll before the wind, 

 it may be for miles, along the surface of the sand, before they break up and the 

 seeds are distributed. The most luxuriant development of this grass is attained in 

 those districts of the sub-tropical Australian coast-line where huge drifting sand-hills 

 constitute a leading feature. In such locations, this Spinifex fulfils a very useful 

 role. Independently of the above-recorded method of dispersing its seed over widely 

 extended areas, the grass itself throws out vigorous runners of great length which, 

 penetrating among the sand, to a large measure counteract its natural tendency 

 to drift. Fresh Water Camp, Shark's Bay, in Western Australia, already referred to 

 in conjunction with the Chapter dealing with Pearls and Pearl-oysters, is a locality 

 where this grass attains to a remarkably luxuriant state of development, and represents 

 the scene of the photograph reproduced. 



From among the wealth of Wild Flowers for which Australia in general, and 

 Western Australia in particular, is so justly celebrated, the limits of our nearly 

 exhausted space permit only of brief reference to the accompanying illustration of a single 

 noteworthy example. The type selected for this marked distinction shares the patronymic 

 of a modest but most highly-prized British flower, being popularly known throughout 

 the area of its recurrence as the " Fringed Violet." Technically, the plant is in no way 

 related to the Viola tribe, being more nearly allied to the Iris family or Iridace?e. The 

 precise specific appellation of the form here figured is Tkysanotis dichotoma. There are 

 many known representatives of the same genus, all indigenous to Australia, and exhibiting 

 among themselves a considerable range of variation with regard to both their contour 

 and growth habits. All, however, agree with one another in their tri-petallate 

 structure, the pellucid texture and lilac tints of their fragile blossoms, and in the 

 exquisitely delicate fringe of filaments which borders each separate petal. To a 

 talented floral artist the production of a replica of these strikingly characteristic 



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