PASTURES, GRASSES, AND FOR ACE PLANTS. 8^ 



vaTia, E. Br.); '' native parsley " {Apium UjdojJiijlhim, F.v.M.) ; 

 "iiardoo" [Mur.s'dea drummoiidii, A. Br.); " pur.slanu " fPortulan'i 

 oleracea, Linn.) ; and several other jjlants, which form a f^(jud i)fr- 

 centage of the herbage on some of the pastoral areas of this Coloiiv. 



Shruhs. 



Dodoiuva attenuata A. Cuun. "Hop-bush." A viscid slinib, usually 

 growing from 8 to 10 feet higli. It is peculiar to the arid western 

 plains, and in some districts is moderately plentiful, especially on snils 

 of a sandy nature, and the sand-hills are often covered with it. During 

 seasons of drought this shrub is a valuable stand-by for stock, and 

 large quantities are cut down when other feed is scarce. Dodoniva 

 lohidata, F.v.M., also grows in the interior, and on some stations in 

 the Lachlan district it is considered one of the best shru]>s for fora<''e. 

 In the early days of settlement the fruits of both these shrubs, as alsfi 

 of some allied ones, were largely used as a substitute fur hops, hence 

 the common name " hop bush." These shrubs bear pleiitv of seed. 



EremopMla longifoUa, F.v.M. '^Berrigan." A tall, erect shrub 

 sometimes growing from 10 to 20 feet high. It is peculiar to tlm 

 interior, and in some districts it is fairly plentiful. In adverse seasons 

 it is largely cut down as forage for stock, and cattle and sheep cat it 

 readily. It is said that rabbits eat the bark of this shrub in 

 preference to the bark of any other tree or shrub. The " berrigan " 

 bears plenty of fruit, which is eaten by emus, and on this account is 

 often called "emu bush"; but under this appellation many berry and 

 drupe-bearing trees and shrubs are known in the interior. Jk'sides 

 these there are "butter bush" [PlttoHporum 2')hUbjrxoides, IJ'C.) ; 

 "cassias" {Cassia spp.) ; "emu-bushes" {EremopJiila s^fp.) ; "rose- 

 bush" {Heterodendroii olexfolium, Desf.) ; "silver-bush" {I'richiniitm 

 ohovatum, Gaud.) ; " Sturt's cotton plant " {Gossijpium sturtli, 

 F.v.M.) ; and several other shrubs found in different parts of the 

 Colony. 



Trees. 



Flindersia maculosa, F.v.M. "Leopard" or "Spotted tree." An 

 ornamental tree of somewhat pendulous habit, and grows to a height 

 of from 30 to 45 feet. Its trunk is remarkably spotted by the falHng 

 off of the outer bark in patches, hence its common name " leopard " or 

 " spotted tree." From its trunk and branches large quantities of an 

 amber-coloured gum of a pleasant flavour exudes, but as far as the 

 writer is aw^are, this has never been put to any economic use. During 

 very dry times, when feed is scarce, this tree is largely cut down and 

 fed to stock. Sheep are very fond of it, eating both the leaves and 

 young twigs. 



Stercidia dlverslfolia, G. Don. " Kurrajong." An exceedingly 

 ornamental tree often attaining a height of 00 feet on the eastern 

 slopes of the Dividing Range, and from 20 to 30 or more feet ni tlie 

 interior. As a rule, when feeding stock on the leaves of this tree, 

 the branches only are cut off by thoughtful persons, Icavnig the trunk 

 standing, which soon throws out a fresh supply of In-anchcs and 

 leaves, thus providing a supply of fodder for future contingencies. 



