of the Leguminous Plants of Australia. 9 



branching shrubs from the collar : in the three last-mentioned genera this 

 habit should be encouraged as much as possible^ by cutting them down to 

 the ground ; it encourages the larger growth of the collar, and in old plants 

 the appearance of nakedness would be but temporary ; the quick growth of 

 numerous shoots, especially in old plants, would form dense bushes, and 

 stronger and more characteristic masses of flowers. Omphalobium and 

 Sch6te« are of slow growth : planting them under the shade of others will 

 draw them up to the requisite height without injury. 



By confining this communication to Legumin6sa5, I do not wish to 

 exclude the plants of other natural orders ; but the first is given to illus- 

 trate what will, if put in practice, add to the pleasure of the cultivator, by 

 ornamenting, without confusion, and prevent the destruction or neglect of 

 many interesting plants, from ignorance of their worth, and from not be- 

 holding them in full vigour of health and beauty. 



I am convinced, from observation, that many Australian leguminous 

 plants require the same treatment as those of South Africa, especially 

 among the rigid-leaved species, as Davies?<s, &c. ; consequently a mixture of 

 plants of both countries would no doubt thrive. 



I subjoin a list of the average height which several species attain in 

 their native habitations : it may partly guide the cultivator in planting : — 



Ft. in. 

 Virgilia intrusa and capensis - - - - 25 



If Virgili« is deeply injured in the old wood, a gum exudes, 

 which is used as gum arable. 

 Omphalobium - - - - -120 



Sophora sylvatica - - - - - 16 



Psoralea pinnata - - - - - 15 



Cyclopia -^ - - - - 4 ft. to 10 



Indigofera cytisoides - - - - - 8 



Podaljria ityracifolia - - - - - 9 



^spalathus - - - - - 6 in. to 4 



Rafn/« (annual growth) - - - - 2 ft. to 3 



Sarcophyllum (annual growth) - - - - 1 6 



Liparia sphae'rica - - - - - 3 



Acacia capensis or nilotica - - - - 20 



Jcacia caffra - - - - -120 



The latter thrives best by being cut down and confined as a shrub to 

 6 ft. They both yield the gum arable. 

 Erythrina caffra attains the height of 60 ft., but flowers at the height of 



15 ft. 

 Erythrina nana, introduced by me to England in 1823; flowers at 2ft., 



and may be considered as half-shrubby, as it scarcely ever attains a per- 

 manent stem. It is a desirable plant. 



I hope that you will not consider the above too tedious ; and should 

 wish you to enforce some of the hints therein. I have no time for correc- 

 tions, so that you must excuse all errors, as the cultivator would freely 

 pardon the prolixity of the collector, if he had to encounter but one tenth 

 part of the difficulties the latter meets with. 



I remain, Sir, yours, &c. 



James Bowie. 



Cape of Good Hope, February 16. 1831. 



