DECEMBER 57 



prized flowers, the Christmas bush, just now covered with its 

 white blossoms, which in a week or so will give place to the 

 red fruit, commonly mistaken for the flower ; and the Christmas 

 bells, most happily named of all our native flowers. These 

 bells grow in the most unpromising places, and their gorgeous 

 red and yellow show up brightly against the sandy background 

 they love. 



Another conspicuous blossom just now is the big hibbertia ; 

 its flower is very like a yellow dog-rose, and it is sometimes 

 called the "sand-rose," because it grows so freely on the sand 

 by the shore. But as a similar species grows just as freely in 

 the brush, the name is not altogether appropriate. 



In the sandstone country there are several smaller flowers 

 in evidence ; the most noticeable is the pink stylidium, or 

 trigger plant as it is called, on account of its long style which 

 springs back if touched. The three-petalled fringed violet also 

 shows brightly, its warm purple making a charming contrast to 

 the grey sandy background. 



I- LOWERS BLOOMING. 



Hibbertia volubilis Yellow dog rose 

 Hibbertia dentata 

 Pultenaea villosa 



Acacia decurrens Green wattle 



Ceratopetalum gummiferum Christmas bush 



Angophora cordifolia Dwarf apple 



Melaleuca nodosa Tea-tree 



Leptospermum flavescens Tea-tree 



Callistemon lanceolatus "Red bottlebrush 



