BEACH PLANTS 65 



of Western Australia, though lacking its significant 

 and remarkable aroma. Acacia aulacocarpa displays in 

 pendant masses golden tassels rich in fragrance. 



The yellow-flowered hibiscus (cotton-tree) overhangs 

 the tide, and the small-leaved shrub the blacks name 

 Tee-bee {IVikstroemia indica), the pink, semi-trans- 

 parent fruit of which is eaten in times of stress, springs 

 from pure sand. 



A tall, almost branchless shrub {Macaranga tanariiis), 

 the Toogantoogan of the natives, grows in close clumps 

 conducive to the production of light, straight, slim 

 stems used as fish-spears. The bark peels readily in 

 long strands, easily convertible into lines, and the sap 

 from incised stems, which crystallises with a reddish 

 tint, is a fast cement. Huge platter-shaped leaves are 

 supported on long stalks from nearly the centre, whence 

 radiate prominent nerves of pale green. Some plants 

 exhibit leaf-stalks of ruby red, with central leaf-spot 

 and nerves like in hue, producing the most beautiful 

 effect. If the growth of the plant could be kept within 

 bounds it would be gladly admitted as a garden shrub. 

 The stems and the base of the leaf-stalk are coated with 

 glaucous bloom, like that of a ripe plum. The bloom, 

 easily to be rubbed off, is said to derive its title from that 

 Glaucus who took part in the Trojan War and had the 

 simplicity, or the wisdom, to exchange his suit of golden 

 armour for one of iron. 



The length of the beach thus casually examined is 

 not more than a quarter of a mile long, and no plant 

 mentioned is more than a few yards from high-water 

 mark, the soil being almost pure sand. Imagine some 

 three square miles of country varied by hills and flats 

 of rich soil, with creeks and ravines, precipices and 

 bluffs, dense jungle and thick forest, hollows wherein 

 water lodges in the wet season, and granite ridges, and 



5 



/r. 



