OEXAMENTAL SHRUBS, ETC. 209 



to arrest the attention of the cultivator, but many of the smaller 

 species, from the peculiar structure of their flowers, and the 

 rarity of their occurrence in other parts of Australia, demand 

 some notice, especially the curious and irritable Caleana, the 

 sweet scented leaf of Glossodia major, the fantastic labellum of 

 Aciantlius candatus and Calochilus, the edible bulbs of Diuris, and 

 the helmet of the diminutive Corysanthes. Comesperma volubile 

 of the milk-wort family is a slender little climber with pretty 

 blue flowers, and Lobelia gracilis and L. dentata are not unknown 

 to gardeners, whilst Dianella ccerulea and Tliysanotus junceus, 

 (" the fringed Violet,") relieve the eye of the observer by their 

 delicate tints of blue and lilac. Nor should I forget, whilst 

 alluding to liliaceous plants, to mention the winding Eustreplius, 

 and the elegant bearded filaments of Arthropodium. The plants 

 of the Violet family (lonidium and Viola} do not bear comparison 

 with the species of England ; but though destitute of scent, our 

 Violets may serve to remind us of the copse woods of the mother 



country, 



" Where purple Violets lurk, 

 With all the lovely children of the shade." 



It is probable, too, that the indigenous species may admit of 

 hybridization, and under skilful manipulation, be rendered avail- 

 able for the purpose of the garden. The same remark is 

 applicable to our "native Geranium," (Pelargonium australe)^ 

 which decidedly improves under cultivation, and may hereafter 

 yield interesting varieties. And when we see the numerous 

 hybrids from the Passion Flower, it is not unreasonable to sup- 

 pose that our Disemma Jierbertiana, or " the Native Passion 

 Flower," may improve in a similar manner. Sccevola Mspida, of 

 the G-oodenia family, and Arum orixense, or " the Native Arum," 

 (now called Typlionium on account of its acridity), deserve con- 

 sideration : the first for the beauty of its flowers, and the other 

 for its tuberous roots, which after careful preparation may be used 

 for food. In their raw state they are poisonous, but the blacks 

 destroy the deleterious properties by the action of fire. I have 

 been informed also, that the leaves of the plant are likely to be 

 employed by the homceopathist. The delicate purple Pater sonia 

 of the Iris Family, which is so often doomed to blush unseen in 

 its native wilds, is not only ornamental, but it is said to grow 



B B 



