Xlvi PROCEEDINGS, AUGUST. 



This order, Graminece, has been the object of special study of several of the 

 most eminent botanists, among which the labours of BroAvn, Kunth, and of 

 Trinius have been the most important. 



But the only general enumeration they have left is that of Kunth, who 

 had not at that time the materials, nor yet the leisure to investigate the 

 synonymy which had already become exceedingly confused. 



This confusion has been gradually increasing by the large number of 

 species described in partial works, without that general c jmparison which 

 is specially needed in an order in which a large proportion of the species have 

 a very wide geographical distribution. 



Three of this species are common to Australia and New Zealand, whilst 

 14 are endemic (mostly small) in Australia. Of these perhaps the species 

 better known to outsiders is Anthisteria ciliata, common to all the colonies, 

 viz. : — The well-known kangaroo grass, also Spinifex liirsutus. 



The chief portion of our grasses are comprised in this order. In Mr. 

 Spicer's work on Tasmanian Plants mention is made of eight species of 

 Agrostis, viz. : — ■ 



Agrostis quadriseta Agr^ostis Venusta 



parvijlora „ Solandri 



„ amquata ,, Sccibra 



„ ijiontana „ Vulgaris 



To these we must now add Sporoholous virginius. 



Hichea 2^C'^'>'dctnifolia — Giant Grass-tree, lately received by Baron von 

 Miieller from Chas. P. Bennett, and noted as growing on Alj)ine heights, 

 N. W. Tasmania. Also Ricliea, Gunnii (J. Hooker), Cradle Mountain, 

 noted by Mr. W. E. Bell. 



When on an exploration tour to the back of Mt. La Perouse in December 

 last; I found a splendid grove of Richea pandanifolia about 500 feet below 

 the top of the connecting range of hills between Adamson's Peak and Mt. 

 La Perouse at an altitude of about 2,500 feet. They are also very 

 numerous on the West Coast, and during an exploration which I made in 

 July of last year on the east side of Mount Soi'ell, after rising some 1,500 

 feet from the bed of the King River, I found quit-e a number of these 

 exceedingly handsome palm-like trees, which, when seen among the dark 

 green myrtles give quite a tropical appearance to the surrounding 

 vegetation, and they reminded me very much of the beautiful screw palms 

 (pandanus) of tropical North Australia. I have also seen RicTiea 

 Pandanifolia on the ranges and hills around Mount Lyell. 



Bellendena Montana — Mount BischofF, F. Kayser. Leaves Avedge-shaped, 

 smooth, toothed at end (Spicer) ; fruit, egg-shaped. " Moimtain Rocket " 

 (Spicer). 



This genus is limited to a single exclusively Tasmanian species. A low 

 glabrous shrub, sometimes under six inches high, bushy or tufted leaves, 

 usually cuneate, broad or narrow, with three obtuse crenatures or short 

 rounded terminal lobes, sometimes broadly crenate. The whole leaf f to 

 above an inch long, tapering into a short petiole, flat, but rather thick, and 

 sometimes glaucous ; flowers, white (Benth. Flor. Aus.), and is found on 

 Mt. Wellington, R. Brown, and Ben Lomond, 3,000 to 5,000. Some 

 specimens from the latter place have entire narroio leaves. 



Mr. MoRTOX mentioned, with reference to two species of fungi 

 referred to in the paper that Mr, Leonard Rodway was engaged in 

 preparing descriptions and drawings of all the Tasmanian fungi, and had 

 obtained a large number of specimens, many of which were new. He 

 hoped Mr. Rodway would be able to submit a paper to the Society next 

 year. 



Mr. Stephens said it appeared that Baron von Mueller desired to place 

 on record localities new to him for some of these plants, one of which, 

 however, was common to the whole western side of the island. 



