QUEENSLAND. 135 



increased, species hitherto lightly esteemed, will be turned to 

 some valuable account. Panicum l&vinode (sometimes called 

 " umbrella grass"), Bromus Australis (an oat-like grass), and 

 AntJiistiria Australis (the kangaroo grass), are already known as 

 some of the most nutritious grasses in the interior, and in or- 

 dinary seasons, they afford the principal food for cattle. Some 

 of the native grasses are too coarse to be appreciated for grazing 

 purposes, and others grow so scantily that they are rather ob- 

 jects for scientific arrangement, than for practical advantage to 

 the grazier. But in some parts where this is the case, nature has 

 supplied species of Mesemlryanthemum and Chenopodiacece (better 

 known by the names of "pig-face" and "salt-bush"), which sheep 

 and cattle devour greedily, and by which they are kept in the 

 best condition. Of the salt-bush, which is by far the more valu- 

 able, there are many species. Those sent to me from the Dar- 

 ling Downs, are species of Rhagodia and Kochia. The common 

 saltbush is E. liastata, and that with the largest leaves is R. par- 

 abolica. These plants are palatable to sheep and cattle on ac- 

 count of the salt which they contain, nearly two ounces having 

 been obtained from two pounds of leaves ; but travellers in the 

 interior have also found them to be exceeeingly useful as vege- 

 tables. Sir T. Mitchell relates that after twice boiling the leaves 

 a few minutes in water to extract the salt, and then an hour in 

 a third water, they formed a tender vegetable resembling spinach. 

 An allied plant (Ohenopodium erosum), Dr. F. Mueller calls "the 

 Australian spinach" ; but it may be remarked of this species, as 

 well as of what is called New Zealand Spinach (Tetragonia eoc- 

 pansd), and some of the most useful cresses, that they are almost 

 limited to Eastern Australia. In the Expedition conducted by 

 Mr. Gregory, the common purslane (Portulaca oleracca) was re- 

 garded as an excellent antiscorbutic. This plant often grows in 

 cultivated soil, and is commonly called pig weed. In former times 

 it was considered as a garden herb, and was used for salads and 

 pickling, but owing to the introduction of other more nutritious 

 vegetables, it has long ceased to be esteemed. The Pharmacopoeia 

 still retains the purslane, however, not only " as a pot-herb," but 

 as " useful in scurvy and bilious disorders," and the seeds are 

 said to be "vermifuge." With reference to the Chenopodiacece, 

 the order of plants to which the " salt-bush" belongs, the species, 



