yellow-dotted blotch inside at the base. A rapidly spreading plant, 

 multiplying itself not only by seeds and bulbs, but in addition 

 also by bulbiles growing round the bulb and at the axis of 

 the leaves which partly sheath the stem. The plant is 

 malignantly poisonous to stock. It has escaped from deserted 

 gardens where it had been cultivated for its flowers. Some years 

 Ixu-k a large number of stock were poisoned by it near Melbourne. 

 The late Baron von Mueller was deeply impressed with the 

 dangerous nature of this plant, and did all in his power to make 

 those engaged in rural pursuits acquainted with the appearance of 

 this plant. A coloured figure of it appeared in the JonriKif of the 

 tturfiui on the nth December, 1894, reproduced from a drawing 

 sent by that eminent scientist, who never lost sight of the practical 

 side of the rural interests. 



Rouiuh-a rosca (Guildford grass). Indigenous to South Africa. 

 A perennial bulbous plant. Leaves narrow, faintly ribbed and lined, 

 glossy, erect, sometimes over a foot long ; flowers pink, with five 

 petals, about ^-inch across, on stalks rising from centre of plant ; 

 seeds numerous, yellow, almost spherical, about the size of a mustard 

 seed, arranged in six rows ; seed-capsules nearly ^-inch long, splitting 

 when dry into three divisions, each of which is composed of a 

 double compartment. The plant spreads rapidly and soon becomes 

 the almost sole occupier of the ground wherever it establishes it- 

 self, as it multiplies by its bulbs as well as the numerously produced 

 seeds. Any kind of soil seems to suit it, although it prefers damp 

 localities. It is a veritable destroyer of good pasture. Although 

 eaten what are the poor brutes to do when there is nothing else 

 growing ? it is extremely innutritions and when it gets old may 

 become dangerous to stock. Its danger lies not in possessing toxic 

 qualities, but in the toughness of the leaves, which, being very 

 indigestible, will frequently pack into a solid ball within the 

 stomach. Some specimens of enormous size have been taken from 

 horses who died of internal inflammation, probably caused, but 

 Certainly intensified and accelerated by these solid accumulations. 

 This objectionable plant is becoming very common in several parts 

 of the old settled districts of Western Australia. Care should be 

 exercised to prevent it getting established in new localities. On 

 account of its grass-like leaves it may easily escape observation, as it is 

 not readily recognised by anyone previously unacquainted with it. 

 When flowering the pink blossoms betray its presence, and when 

 dug up at any other time the brownish bulbs reveal the true nature 

 of this noxious weed. 



