68 WATTLES AND WATTLE-BARKS. 



species, Acacia decurrens and Acacia mollissima. But, for botanical as well 

 as for practical purposes, I have (after most careful and prolonged investi- 

 gation), come to the conclusion that Bentham's arrangement is the mo.re 

 satisfactory one. However, inasmuch as by holding this opinion I differ 

 from the eminent Australian botanist, I proceed to give a full account of the 

 reasons which have caused me to arrive at the conclusion. 



There are four varieties whose typical forms (with the exception of 

 Leiclihardtii} appear to be more or less well defined ; but, after examination 

 of some hundreds of specimens, I incline to the opinion that they all pass 

 into one another, and the mollis variety (in my view) has no more claim to 

 specific rank than has pauciglandulosa. 



In stating this, I am aware I am but endorsing Bentham's words : " The 

 following forms appear at first sight very distinct, but pass into each other 

 .by many gradations." 



Following are the points, stated briefly, on which I base my opinion : 



1st. The pinnules of all vary more or less in each variety in length, 

 breadth, and insertion. 



2nd. A decurrence of leaf stalks is common to all. 



3rd. Nothing is -constant in times of flowering. 



4th. The indumentum is variable in three varieties. 



5th. The yield of tannic acid in the bark is the same in each. 



*6th. Seed. The microscope fails to detect any marked difference in 

 these four varieties. 



7th. Number of glands vary in each variety in the same tree. 



However, in the following table I have tried to accentuate the differences 

 between the various varieties, although it is often difficult to find any which 

 are approximately constant. 



Authorities Quoted. 



(B.) Benthain. Flora Australiensis ii, 414-5. 



(1.) Dichotomous Key to the System of Victorian plants (Mueller), 



1887-8, i. 199. 



(2.) Synopsis of the Queensland Flora. F. M. Bailey, 1883, p. 144. 

 (3.) Handbook of the Flora of extra-tropical South Australia, 1890. 



Tate. 



