178 A COXTEIBTJTIOX TO, ETC. 



or, as it is called "Mountain Beech," and Drimys dipetala, a 

 shrub that is known by the pungent nature of its seeds. The 

 principal climbers seemed to belong to the Asclepiad and Menis- 

 permiad alliance, the former, of the genera Marsdenia and 

 Tylopliora, and the latter, Sarcopetalum and Stcpliania. The 

 Menispermiad plants, when a transverse section of their stem is 

 made, present the appearance of spokes radiating from a centre, 

 and one of those to which I have referred is nearly allied to 

 Cocculus, and bears a striking resemblance to some of the species 

 of that genus. As we passed on our way towards the range, we 

 saw great quantities of Stypandra^ (not in flower), a fine species 

 of Stylidium (a pink floAver remarkable for its irritable column) , 

 and a Trachi/mcne, similar to that found near Parramatta. On 

 the higher ground J noticed JSurybia microphylla, in flower, and 

 also two orchids Aciantlms fornicatus, and Caladenia carnea. 

 There was also a species of Hiblertia, which was interesting to 

 me, as it differed from any that I had previously seen. My 

 learned friend Dr. Mueller is inclined to regard it as a mere 

 variety of H. monogyna, although it differs from that species in 

 not having the leaves two or three toothed at the apex. On the 

 same range there was abundance of JSossicea rotundifolia, some 

 splendid specimens of Macrozamia spimlis, Lcptomcria aciJct, or 

 the native currant, two species of Leucopogon, and a rutaceous 

 plant which I thought was PJiebalmm lachnceoides. Here also 

 were many proteaceous shrubs, particularly Xylomelum, or the 

 wooden pear, Banksia, or honeysuckle, Lambertia, and the 

 curious cyperaceous plant Caustisflexuosa. 



Near the inn at the foot of the Big Hill, there is a plant which 

 has been the subject of some interest, as it is stated to be 

 poisonous, (T)iiboisia myoporoides). My fair friend of the Kurra- 

 jong, after describing the cork-like bark of the tree, and its 

 lilac-white blossoms, remarks " It grows also on the Shoalhaven 

 and at Illawarra, and has an intoxicating property. The aborigines 

 make holes in the trunk and put some fluid in them, which when 

 drunk on the following morning produces stupor. Branches of 

 this shrub are thrown into pools for the purpose of intoxicating 

 the eels and bringing them to the surface. I have known an 

 instance in which giddiness and nausea have arisen from remain- 

 ing in a close room where branches of it have been placed." This 



