174 THK VICTOKIAN NATURALIST. 



We now come to a large belt of mallee, the first seen since 

 leaving the station, and in this was found a very curious plant 

 which I had not seen before — viz., Didymotheca pleiococca, a 

 plant belonging to the order Phytolaccese. I was somewhat 

 puzzled with this plant at first, but, having the " Key " with me, 

 I soon made it out. 



The acacias in this district are very beautiful, A. Calami- 

 folia and six or eight others being at the time of my visit in 

 full bloom, the air being quite perfumed by them. 



A few stunted plants of the bitter quandang {Sanialiim persi- 

 cariurn) was found on the dry hard levels, and in the vicinity 

 the edible one (6". acuminatuiii) was just beginning to ripen its 

 singular fruit. 



The day, up till i or 2 o'clock, had been fairly fine, but 

 heavy clouds now having made their appearance, with every 

 indication of a heavy downpour of rain, we made " tracks " for 

 the camp, distance about seven miles, which was reached just 

 in time, as the rain now fell very heavily. 



The next days I was out alone, and made a pretty complete 

 search of the country north and north-west for miles, where I 

 found many plants of interest. I had to leave for the station 

 to write my letters, and post specimens of what I had collected 

 to the Baron. I found I had between 70 and 80 species of 

 flowering plants, not a bad lot, considering that, partly on 

 account of the great heat which I had expected in this part of 

 the colony, I had started full}^ a month too early. 



Having reached the station I posted my letters and parcels, and 

 in the morning made an early start for Paul's Camp again, being 

 anxious to do as much as possible before I left the district; and 

 having a good pair of horses I was not long in reaching my 

 former camp. I went across the sand-hills in a northerly direc- 

 tion, where I found Hybanthus floribundiis, Bacckca crassifolia 

 and many others, some of which will be well worthy of cultiva- 

 tion ; and I append a list of a few of the plants which I 

 consider it would be advisable to try to secure for this purpose. 



The next few days were spent in collecting the smaller plants, 

 as lichens, mosses, and fungi — a good many being found : the 

 lichens in this district being 'mostly terrestrial, although the 

 common Usnea ascends to the tops of the highest Murray pines, 

 the latter tree, between the sand-hills, being of a very large 

 size, and is invaluable for fencing, etc., etc. 



A few days after this a trip was arranged to IMud-brim Spring* 

 distance about fifteen to eighteen miles, and here was found a 

 pink-flowered variety of Eucalyptus, named, the Baron says, 

 many years ago by Cunningham as E. bicolor. In and around 

 the spring was found LimcseUa aquatica, Lemna, and other 

 moisture-loving plants. 



