10 FLOKA OF AUSTRALIA. 



up as abundantly as ever. I have remarked, for instance, in the 

 Eoman Catholic Burying-ground at Parramatta, a plentiful crop 

 of Anisopogon avenaceus, which in the spring of the year has a 

 pretty and oatlike appearance. This is a grass which grows to 

 the height of three feet and upwards, and it may easily be recog- 

 nised by its triply bearded perianth. Connected with this division, 

 there are several aquatic plants which at certain seasons relieve 

 the sameness of our creeks and stagnant waters. Of these Dama- 

 sonhun ovalifolium, and PTiilydrutn lanuginosu'm, are the most con- 

 spicuous. Pater sonia serieea, with dark purple flowers, and Com- 

 tnelyna cyanea, with its lighter tints, are much admired by all who 

 examine them, nor is the Arum of the district (A. orixense) devoid 

 of attraction, though the corms are generally regarded as injurious. 

 (6.) The Cryptogamous plants are well worthy of examination, 

 for amongst them will be found some of the most admired ferns 

 and mosses in the colony. Of the former we have about forty 

 species, and of the latter, probably more. The tree fern 

 (Alsopliila Australia) is becoming rare in the immediate neighbour- 

 hood, but there is one still to be found within a mile and a-half 

 of the "Water "Works, and many of the rocks in moist and 

 shady places are covered with the spreading Polypodium rupestre, 

 and the graceful little fern Hymenophyllum Twibridgense, whilst 

 in certain spots, two species of ScMzoea occur. Of the Marsilaceae, 

 I have noticed the curious little floating plant Azolla pinnata, and 

 of the Lycopodiacese, four species ; but scarcely any of the 

 cryptogamous plants have afforded me more satisfaction than 

 the Urn Mosses. When examined microscopically, they display 

 the most striking instances of skill and beauty. The delicacy 

 and regularity of the little teeth surrounding the peristome, which 

 when present, are always four or a multiple of four, and the 

 wonderful striated leaves which when magnified by a high power, 

 present to view cells composed of spiral fibres, are convincing 

 proofs of the wisdom and providential care of the Creator, and cause 

 the reflecting mind to think with the Psalmist, that " the works 

 of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure 

 therein. ' ' When contemplating these striking instances of design , 

 one cannot wonderHhat the sight of the diminutive moss Dicranum 

 bry aides, (which by the way, is found on the banks of our creek 

 not far from Parramatta) cheered the drooping spirits of the 



