47 



position of LigLtliouse-keeper at Cape "Wickham, to form a 

 collection of such plants as might be 5\dthin his reach ; and 

 this endeavour to obtain a scientific insight into the vegetation 

 there received every encouragement from A. E. Douglas, Esq., 

 of the postal department of Ilobart, so that now photographic 

 comparisons to some extent can be instituted between the 

 island under consideration and the nearest regions .of 

 Tasmania and Victoria. 



From a few plants of rarity previously obt?aned, such as 

 PhyllocLidus rhomboidalis, which does not extend to Victoria, 

 and such as Elseocarpus cyaneus and Zoysia pungens, which 

 are not known from Tasmania proper, it remained hitherto 

 unascertained, to which of both phytographic regions the 

 flora of the interjacent island more particularly belonged. The 

 collections creditably formed last season by the young sons of 

 Mr. Spong, are not sufficient to solve this question fully, 

 inasmuch as many more species are likely to be found in 

 localities of the island not readily accessible up to this time. 

 Only two plants, absolutely new to the Tasmanian dominion, 

 were discovered by Messrs. Spong, namely Podotheca angus- 

 tifolia, and Dictyurus quercifolius ; but, as in the instance of 

 Nablonium calyceroides, the Podotheca may also yet be 

 discovered in some of the north-western regions of Tasmania, 

 which are hitherto still largely or even entirely devoid of 

 settlements. While surveys are now proceeding in that 

 direction, some botanic collections might also be formed with 

 but little inconvenience, and certainly with no additional 

 expenditure whatsoever. All such material from new regions 

 tends to elucidate the physical features of any country, and 

 aids in estimating its capabilities. 



Although the collections, now got from King's Island, 

 contain mainly plants of wide distribution as well in Tasmania 

 as also in Victoria, it was deemed best to place all the 

 collected species on record, and thus to give the first instal- 

 ment of a floral enumeration pertaining to the island. The 

 immigrated plants, already of not inconsiderable number, are 

 omitted. 



Clematis microphylla, Lepidium ruderale, L. foliosum, 

 Cakile maritima, Papaver aculeatum, Boronia polygalifolia 

 (var. pinnatifolia), Correa speciosa, Comesperma volubile, 

 Dodonsea viscosa, Bursaria spinosa, Viola hederacea, Drosera 

 peltata,El8eocarpus cyaneus, Geranium dissectum, Pelargonium 

 australe, TJrtica incisa, Beyera viscosa, Phyllanthus Gunnii, 

 Sagina apetala, Muehlenbeckia apressa, Atriplex crystallinum, 

 A. cinereum, Ehagodia Billardierii, Salicornia australis, Mesem- 

 brianthemum australe, M.8equilaterale,Tetragoniaimplexicoma, 

 Stackhousia liuarifoiia, Tillaea verticillata, Acaena sanguisorbae, 

 Acacia longifolia (var. Sophorse), Dillwynia ericifolia, Swain- 



