16 



a dense growth of young pines prevents grass from growing ;: 

 and there is not grass enough to carry fires through the 

 country, as was the case before the country was stocked, and 

 the result is that land there is now much less profitable to 

 occupy. 



The leading characteristics of our vegetation are peculiarly 

 adapted to the arid zone it occupies, and -which for fodder 

 plants capable of withstanding protracted droughts is, I sup- 

 pose, the richest in the world. Compared with South Africa^ 

 I can personally testify to its great superiority ; and in the 

 corresponding zone in North America the census of fodder 

 plants is also much smaller, while in South America the cactus 

 family (few of which are edible) too largely prevails. 



To conclude these preliminary remarks, permit me to ac- 

 knowledge very gratefully the kind assistance of Prof. Tate in 

 lending specimens and in furnishing me with the scientific- 

 names necessary to identify plants, many of w^hich, so far,, 

 have no common name, but where one exists I gladly use it ; 

 and finally, my only title to address members of this Society 

 arises from a close practical observation continued for many 

 years over large areas of this and the adjoining colonies. 



I propose to mention first those plants which are common 

 around Adelaide and in our moister climates, and afterwards to 

 describe those belonging to more arid regions, but which are 

 well worthy of cultivation wherever they will grow. 



Bursaria spinosa. — A very common bush, named from the 

 supposed likeness of its heart-shaped seed vessels to the pods of 

 Shepherds' Purse, and from a few thorny spines much better de- 

 serves its second name. The flowers are small and white, in^ 

 large pinnacles, and most abundant during summer. In the 

 South-East it grows to be a small tree with larger leaves (and 

 without spines) than is ever found this side of the Murray. 

 Sheep eat it as soon as the grasses dry up, and where abundant 

 makes a good " stand-by," and is of great value in late- 

 seasons. Its spines prevent its being eaten out like the last 

 described. It stands pruning well, and would be serviceable 

 as an ornamental hedge to cottage gardens. 



Fomaderris racemosa. — This is another common bush in the- 

 moister districts, and seldom exceeds two feet in height, with 

 an abundant foliage of smallish roundish leaves. The flowers 

 are inconspicuous in small clusters, and the leaves when chewed 

 or soaked are found to be slightly mucilaginous ; this explains 

 the fondness sheep have for this plant. It always seems fresh 

 and green, and stands stocking well. 



Pittosporum phyllceroides. — A small tree, with whitish bark, 

 and drooping foliage of narrow leaves; flowers small and 



