PAEEAMATTA DISTRICT. 5 



Amongst the Calyciflorse there is a numerous family of composite 

 plants, probably forty species, but with the exception of Humea 

 elegans, Ozoihamnus diosmifolms, and two species of Cassinia, there 

 are few which would interest the general observer. The Epacri- 

 daceae, on the contrary, are generally admired, and occupy the 

 same place in this part of the world which the heaths do at the 

 Cape. In this district there are about twenty species, some 

 diffused very widely, and others being found only in particular 

 parts of the creeks to the north. Styphelia viridis, or the " five 

 corner," and Astroloma humifusum, or the " ground berry," are 

 well known as having edible drupes, and there are three species 

 of Leucopogon which have an agreeable fruit, but too small for 

 the purposes of man. Styphelia'tubiflora, which is distinguished 

 by its beautiful crimson flowers, is rather rare in the Parramatta 

 district, and two much admired species, viz., TrocJiocarpa laurina, 

 and Dracopliyllum secundum, are found but seldom. Amongst 

 the calyciflorse plants, there are many which might be cultivated 

 as ornamental shrubs, particularly Elceodendrum integrifolium, re- 

 markable for its bright scarlet berries, Gallicoma serratafolia, 

 Ceratopetalivni gummiferum, or the Christmas bush, C. apetalmn^ 

 and Glocliidion Australe. I have not noticed ApJianopetalum 

 resinosim near Parramatta, but it occurs at a place called the 

 Native Vineyard, near the Eev. T. Hassall's at the Cowpastures, 

 and is a graceful climbing shrub. Amongst the edible plants 

 there are three species of BuUis, or native raspberry, which, 

 though in their wild state producing an insipid fruit, might 

 doubtless be improved by care and attention. E. parviflorus is 

 the commonest in the immediate neighbourhood, but JK. moluccanus, 

 and R. ros&folius, grow in the creeks near Kissing Point. The 

 plant called native carrot is an umbelliferous and edible species 

 (Didiscus albiflorus), and Tetragonia expansa, or New Zealand 

 spinach, is relished by many persons. With regard to the com- 

 mon purslane (Portulaca oleracea), which at one time was culti- 

 vated by our forefathers, it may be looked upon as a wholesome 

 vegetable, though, as a garden plant, it has long fallen into disuse. 

 In the interior of the colony however, where edible plants are 

 scarce, purslane is by no means despised, as will appear from the 

 following passage in Dr. F. Mueller's Botanical Eeport on 

 the North Australian expedition : " We had almost daily occasion 



