53 



and S. acutifolium, Elir. The Tasmanian plant, Mazits jnimilio, 

 Benth., was abundant on the low damp land, and the Fern so 

 common in Tasmania, Gramonitis Billardieri, in the bed 

 of the creeks, might be seen covering the rocks Some 

 plants become naturalized so quickly, and spread with such 

 rapidity over the face of the country that it makes it a 

 difficult task to trace their introduction, or to state with 

 certainty whether they are indigenous or not. For instance, 

 the Red Head, Asclepias curassavica, Linn., with which 

 liundreds of acres of Queensland soil are now covered. The 

 Horehound Marruhium viilgare, which is to be seen in rich 

 profusion, but generally confined to old sheep yards. The 

 little bright-eyed Pimpernel, AnagaUis arvenesis, has also 

 secured a footing far and wide through the colony ; some of 

 our swamps and streams are full of the common Water-cress, 

 JVasticrtium officinalis, Sium latifolium, Sfc. The South Aus- 

 tralian pest, Cryptostemma calendulacea, E,. Br., has tried many 

 limes to gain footing here, but has failed hitherto. Should ifc 

 however, once be carried into our far western districts it will 

 in all probability, spread with the same rapidity it has done 

 in the other colonies. All these, and many others doubtless 

 are introductions. But there are others commonly thought to 

 be introduced, as to wbich I think there is room to doubt, 

 such an one is Garpesium cernunus, Linn., a quantity of which 

 I found growing on One Tree Hill, and from thence for some 

 distance along the top of Taylor's Kange, this genus seems 

 to delight in locating itself in places ftir apart, some of the 

 species being found in South Europe, Caucasus, Himalayan 

 Mountains, and now in Australia. My reasons against its 

 supposed introduction, are : — There is no settlement within 

 some miles of the spot where I found it growing ; therefore, 

 it could not be brought into the colony in packing, the way 

 in which doubtless, many weeds are introduced. Again from 

 the nature of its achenes it would be most unlikely, if not 

 impossible for it to have been brought adhering to clothing. 

 The achenes are destitute of pappus or retentive hairs by 

 which to adhere, and thus be carried to a distance. Goodenia, 

 grandijlora, Sims, I have f amd in company with the Qarpesium, 

 and until then was not aware of it being within many miles 

 of the spot. With regard to the Cape Gooseberry, Fhysalis 

 peruviana, Linn., I had always thought it an introduced plant, 

 and accounted for its appearance at every fresh clearing by its 

 being eaten by birds, and thus carried and deposited. But 

 when at Trinity Bay in April last, I saw a plant growing in a 

 small opening in the scrub on the Range, where the foot of 

 the white man had not trod, three months previously, and 

 where the seed from which this plant sprung, if introduced 



