540 



SOILS. 



in the interior valleys of the State are not usually very abund- 

 ant, save locally. Wherever the species do occur, however, 

 they may be considered as indicating excessively saline soils. 



FIG. 84. Salicornia subterminalis. Alkali samphire. 



A. Much-branched form. 



B. Slender form. 



C. Flower with the perianth removed showing the simple pistil and the two stamens. 



D. Portion of flowering spike, showing two joints. The flowers are impressed in the joints in 

 opposite clusters of three. In each cluster the middle flower stands slightly above the two laterals 

 as shown in the lower joint. 



Dwarf Samphire soil has shown a total salt content of 441,- 

 880 pounds per acre in a depth of four feet. The neutral 

 Glauber's salt amounts to 314.000 pounds, almost as much as 

 in Tussock-grass soil; common salt up to 125,640 pounds 



