58 



marked feature, not only of this, but several adjoining 

 families. It is not one of the typical parts of a flower, 

 but is so constant amongst these families as to be of con- 

 siderable use in classifying them. 



In fruiting the carpels are not much changed; they 

 only become larger and tougher, and split at maturity in 

 two, to allow the seeds to escape. Very commonly only 

 one or two of the carpels set seed, when the others appear 

 only as little shrunken objects. Pink Boronia may be con- 

 sidered as one variable species, or many distinct ones, 

 according to the disposition of the observer ; but whichever 

 course is pursued there is only a trifling and inconstant 

 difference in structure. Our commonest form (B. pinnata) 

 is a small erect shrub, bearing copious flowers, which 

 generally are quite half an inch across. It is mostly found 

 towards the coast. In wet places inland is another form 

 (B. pilosa) of more slender habit. It is moi'e clothed with 

 hairs, and has smaller flowers ; the first pair of leaflets 

 are placed lower down the leaf-stalk than in the last, and 

 the filaments are less hairy. A third variety is plentiful 

 on some mountain plains. It is very like the first, only 

 is less erect and the leaflets are more fleshy and often 

 reduced in number ; but it is chiefly noticeable for emit- 

 ting a strong odour of citrons (B. citriodora). 



We have two little Boronias very, common in sandy 

 places and wet heathy country, with white petals often not 

 larger than the sepals and simple narrow leaves. They 

 bear few flowers, and those are placed singly in the leaf 

 axils. Being small and of no great beauty, they are easily 

 overlooked, and have not received popular names. The 

 other two specie? are not sufficiently common to some 

 within our range. 



A common shrub in the bush, belonging to a neighbour- 

 ing genus, has received the very unpleasant name of Stink- 

 wood. This name is too well fixed to be successfully 

 changed, so, with an apology for its vulgarity, we must use 

 it Stinkwood is .a tall shrub, with opposite leaves each 

 divided into three rather large flat leaflets. The flowers are 

 about a third of an inch across, white, and many together, 

 in branched inflorescences, placed in the upper axils. They 

 differ from the structure of Boronia in little except that 

 there are four stamens instead of eight. The plant owes 

 its name to the odour given forth when the leaves are 

 crushed, which most people consider unpleasant. It has 

 often been blamed for poisoning cattle, whether rightly 

 so is not proved ; but it is at least probable that it may 

 so act when a beast is in low condition has little else to eat. 



