25 



foimd forming a low bush around some bigger tree ; I bave 

 noticed it especially with Leptomeria. It is wortb attention for 

 cultivation. JR,. spinescens. — The same remarks apply to this 

 species of saltbush also. 



Ckenopodium micropliyUam. — A saltbush, like the preceding, 

 often found protected by some larger shrub, and sheep care 

 more for it than for many other saltbushes. It would be 

 useful if growing freely ; but experience must prove the best 

 guide, as I think it possible some of the saltbushes will prove 

 difficult to grow out of their own special localities. 



Atriplex vesicaria. — This is one of the most common and 

 widely-diffused of saltbushes, and is sometimes called the 

 Small White Saltbush. This, I think, can readily be grown 

 wherever the climate is not too wet. It covers very large 

 •extents of clayey plains, and in good seasons is only nibbled 

 at by stock, excepting when covered by those curious vesicles 

 which give name to the species. There is an annual sort much 

 resembling it which unfortunately I have failed to determine 

 the precise name, but the tops of the young plants are fairly 

 edible when boiled, and together with Tetragonia expansa, or 

 Native Spinach, have often afforded me a change of diet in the 

 •outside country. Before the vesicular seed vessels are quite 

 Tipe they make quite a loud report if trodden under foot. 



Atriplex nummular ium. — Often called the " Cabbage" Salt- 

 bush, from the comparatively large size of its leaves. It grows 

 to over eight feet high, and is found commonly near to where 

 water lies for some time ; also on flats bordering the Murray 

 that are rarely flooded. Eaten by sheep when food is scarce, 

 not difficult to grow from seed, and adapted to form a contrast 

 in shrubberies from having scaly grey leaves, and forms a 

 dense bush. 



Atrip)lex paludosum. — This saltbush is named from its 

 favourite habitat, and may be readily distinguished from A. 

 vesicaria, the leaves being much narrower and more erect. I 

 mention it mainly to point out that not all the saltbushes are 

 «dibie. This one in particular stock never eat if anything 

 else is to be had. 



RJiagodia Billardieri. — This small shrub is a very useful 

 fodder plant, much eaten by sheep, although the branches are 

 fspinescent. It is mostly found on rich ground liable to floods, 

 and is not very common here, although very abundant on the 

 Biver Darling. Prom its hal3itat being restricted to flooded 

 ground I do not think it worth cultivating. It should never 

 be ploughed up, but, like all other of the best of the shrubs of 

 which I have treated, it is imperative that sheep should not be 

 kept constantly where it occurs. 



