INTRODUCED PLANTS. 139 



I have noticed Spergula aruensis in orchards arid fields, whilst 

 Dianthm prolif'er, or a wild pink, is confined to a few localities, 

 having apparently been introduced with some English grasses. 

 To these Dr. Mueller adds Ayrostemma Githat/o, and Arenaria 

 serpyllifolia. The last I have not observed in this colony, the 

 only species of Arenaria common amongst us being A. marina now 

 referred to Spergularia rubra, which must be regarded as indi- 

 genous. 



(2.) Cruciferce. Plants of this order are somewhat rare in 

 Australia, being almost unknown in the tropical parts of this 

 continent, and not numerous even in the mountainous districts. 

 In the neighbourhood of Parramatta, there are not more than 

 three indigenous species, even if we include Lepidium ruderale, 

 which Dr. Mueller says occurs in many parts of South Australia, 

 Tasmania, and Eastern Australia, and agrees with the descrip- 

 tions of the European species. The native species here are Car- 

 damine stylosa and 0. tenuifolia, whilst Nasturtium terrestre is 

 found on the banks of the Nepean. The introduced species are 

 the wild radish, wild mustard, and hedge mustard (Raphanus 

 raphanistrum, Sinapis arvensis,and. Sisynlrium qfficinale), and they 

 appear here, as in Europ. , in corn fields, and amongst rubbish ; 

 and also Senctnera didyma or " swine's cress," and the interest- 

 ing CapseUa lursa pastoris or " shepherd's purse." Sisymbrium 

 has had a reputation for curing hoarseness, and ulcers in the 

 throat, and Seneliera is antiscorbutic, as indeed are most of the 

 CrucifercB, as long as they are used whilst fresh. 



(3.) FumariacecB. The only species of this order that has been 

 introduced, is the one so common in gardens viz., Famaria nffi- 

 cinalis, or common fumitory, with rose-coloured flowers, dark red 

 at the summit, and pale green leaves twice pinnate. The leaves 

 and stalks are bitter, "slightly diaphoretic and aperient: the 

 juice was formerly administered in cutaneous diseases, and ob- 

 structions of the liver." (Pharmacopoeia.) 



(4.) GeraniacecB Two species of JErodium (viz., E. moscliatum 

 and E. cicutarium) have appeared amongst us. They differ little 

 from each other, excepting that the former has a musky scent, 

 and the leaves less deeply divided. 



(5.) Linacecp. Of the flax family, Lmum Gallicum, a plant 

 with small yellow flowers, has certainly been introduced, but L. 



