XVlii INTRODUCTION. 



generally supposed that this adventitious growth is caused by some insect. 

 The fulvous tomeritum on some species of Sclerolcena, and the woolly covering 

 of the fruits of some species of Chenolea have been known to kill sheep when 

 they have partaken too freely of this indigestible stuff, along with parts of 

 the plants. The dorsal spines of all species of Anisacantha often cause some 

 trouble to the salivary glands of sheep and other small herbivora, if they eat 

 too greedily of these plants when the fruits are near maturity. Anisacantha 

 muricata, Moq., when dry, makes the troublesome " roley poleys" of the 

 plains. The following is a synopsis of those species which I have had long 

 experience with, and observation of, and can, therefore, recommend as being 

 worthy of conservation, and even cultivation : Rhaqodia billardieri, R. Br., 

 " Coastal salt bush" ; Rhagodia hastata, R, Br., " Halbert-leaved salt bush" ; 

 Rhagodia ?mtas, R. Br., " Nodding salt bush" ; Rhagodia par abolica, R. Br., 

 " Old man salt bush" ; Ckenopodium carinatum, R. Br., "Rough-leaved goose- 

 foot" ; Chenopodimn auricomum, Lindl., " Blue bush" ; Chenopodium atri- 

 plicinum, F.v.M., " Atriplex-like goose foot"; Chenopodium triangulare, 

 R. Br., " Triangular-leaved goose foot" ; Atriplex cinerea, Poir., " Grray salt 

 bush"; Atriplex halimoides, Lindl., " Halimus-like salt bush"; Atriplex 

 holocarpa, F.v.M., " All fruited salt bush" ; Atriplex muelleri, Benth., 

 "Mueller's salt bush"; Atriplex nummularia, Lindl., " Round-leaved salt 

 bush" ; Atriplex rhagodioides, F.v.M., " Silver salt bush" ; Atriplex semi- 

 Jmzta,R.Br., "half-berried saltbush"; Atriplex leptocarpa, F. v.M.," Slender- 

 fruited saltbush"; Atriplex vesicaria, Hew., "Bladder saltbush"; and 

 Atriplex stipitata, Benth., " Kidney -fruited saltbush." Many of these 

 Atriplexes, when cooked, are excellent table esculents. Kochia aphylla, 

 R.Br., " Cotton-bush" ; Kochia ciliata, F.v.M., " Hairy-fruited saltbush" ; 

 Kochia pyramidata, Benth., *' Grey bush" ; Kochia planifolia, F.v.M., 

 " Broad-winged saltbush" ; Kochia sedifolia, F.v.M., " Blue bush" ; and 

 Kochia villosa, Lindl., " Silky saltbush". All these and many more valuable 

 salinous and other forage plants are figured and fully described in my 

 work on the " Indigenous Forage Plants of Australia." 



It will be gathered from this review of the indigenous herbage that there 

 is in this country some splendid material to conserve and cultivate, and it 

 only awaits intelligent management to clothe our pastoral areas with herbage 

 if not like their pristine grandeur, to, at least, make them far more valuable 

 possessions than they are at the present time. As a preliminary under- 

 taking towards the conservation of indigenous grasses, salt-bushes and other 

 herbage, reserves should be established in various parts of the country for 

 the purpose of raising seeds to be disseminated in places where the herbage 

 has been eaten out. Such reserves need not occupy large areas. It is aston- 

 ishing the quantity of seed that can be harvested from a few acres. It 

 would be a wise thing for the Governments of the Australian colonies to 

 make grass reserves a compulsory undertaking when granting new leases 

 for Crown lands. That such reserves would have a most beneficial effect 

 upon the pastoral areas in this country cannot be gainsaid by thinking 

 persons. In fact, there is already valuable data to work upon. All the railway 

 enclosures throughout the country are excellent reserves for the preserva- 

 tion of the indigenous grasses and other herbage, and the most superficial 

 observer cannot fail to have seen the amount of seed that is matured and 

 distributed on the adjacent land by winds and other agencies. "When this 

 seed germinates it cannot fail to enhance the grazing capabilities of the 

 pastures for miles around. 



The present system of keeping sheep on the pastoral areas of this country 

 will have to^ be much improved upon before the herbage becomes a"s 

 luxuriant as it was some years ago. I would recommend the small-paddock 



