4 THE VICTORIAN NALULALIST. 
Our fauna and flora are unique. They are probably the oldest in 
the world, and so furnish multitudes of facts most important in their 
bearing on all theories of evolution. In mere numbers the forms 
of life are imposing. Yet there is no enthusiasm in Darwin, on the 
contrary, only regret that he had spent so much time so drearily. 
It may be that Darwin was worn out by the hardships of the 
voyage when he reached Australia. It is well-known that the 
chronic suffering he endured go patiently in the course of his devoted 
life was probably attributable to his exertions and exposures during 
the long five years on the “‘ Beagle.” At all events, he seems to have 
found as much to charm him in the Cape Verde Islands or Patagonia, 
or almost the little cluster of the St. Paul’s rocks, as in the whole 
of Australia. 
Whatever was the cause of the spleen, Australian natural history 
has suffered—been hindered in its development probably for several 
years—by the publication of this chapter by the great authority. 
Had Darwin pointed out, on the contrary, what a field was here 
for observation and for work, we can only conjecture how much 
more rapil might have been the progress of Australian biology. 
We are somewhat sensitive to the accounts which travellers 
publish of our colonies. And it is to me, and I think will be to you, 
a sad reflection that perhaps the most rep:llent dessription of this 
strange southern land should have been penned by Charles Darwin, 
the most eminent naturalist of the century. 
THE PHANEROGAMOUS PLANTS OF STUDLEY 
PARK, KEW, NEAR MELBOURNE. 
By F. Reaper. 
Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, Jan. 12, 1885. 
(Parr IT.) 
Order. Elatinee Cambessédes. 
Properties.—Unknown. 
Elatine, L. Etym. Alluding to some fancied resemblance of the 
foliage with that of the Silver-fir, which latter is mentioned as 
Elate in the * Odyssee.” V.N. Water-Wort. 
E. Americana, Arnott. American Water-Wort. Flowers Noy., 
December. Distributed Tasmania, N. Zealand, India, South 
and North America. 
Order Hypericine, I. de St. Hilaire. 
Properties.—Drastic purgative, astringent and aromatic tonics. 
Resinous. The leaves are mostly marked with pellucid dots. 
Hypericum, Tournef. Etym. From the greek umepexor, (hypericon), 
of Dioscorides. V.N. St. John’s-Wort. 
