506 Transactions.— Botany. 
Botanical divisions of the Flora. 
The botanical divisions may be popularly arranged under three groups : 
Grass, Scrub, and Bush. 
Grass, 
The lists of indigenous and exotic grasses and other pasture plants were 
noted at an early period of the season, and consequently some might have 
been overlooked. The number of species, however, in the list is great, 
although a few are worthless as food, and several others, although valuable, 
are neither abundant nor wide spread. There are 65 species, including 
varieties, in all, among which the following are abundant everywhere, and 
which may be said to constitute the main part of the pasture. 
Dichelachne crinita, | Dichelachne sciurea, Danthonia semi-annularis, 
Anthoxanthum odoratum, Holcus lanatus, Festuca myurus, Lolium perenne, 
Trititceum scabrum, Agrostis vulgaris, Poa annua, Poa pratense, Poa anceps, 
Trisetum antarcticum, Aira caryophylla, Dactylis glomeratus. 
The early supply of food for sheep in spring depends largely on these 
fifteen species, and putting the comparative nutrient value of some of 
them aside, they may be considered the most valuable on the whole, as 
being available when most needed. 
The following species on the list are worthless as food, and fortunately 
they are neither abundant or found on the pasture, being chiefly confined 
to the sea-shore :— 
Spinifex hirsutus, Arundo conspicua, Festuca littoralis, Bromus arenarius, 
Bromus sterilis, Hordeum murinum, and Avena pratensis. 
Among the remaining species on the list, several are valuable as pasture 
grasses, but seem to be either rare or confined to certain localities, as 
Sporobolus elongatus, and Stenotaphrum glabrum, both valuable because per- 
manent, although inferior as sheep grasses. 
The clovers are abundant and widespread, being adapted from their 
deep rooting to resist droughts. 
The grasses on the more exposed ridges where stiff clay or sandy soil is 
present, are sparse, and suffer from the heats of summer. They are also 
liable to displacement by the growth of arid weeds, but the lower slopes 
and damp vallies carry a rich growth of superior grasses. 
Stomachic plants are also present, so useful in preserving the health of 
stock. The following are common :—Parsley, Veronicas, Yarrow, Canadian 
Flea-bane, Centaury, etc. 
There can be no doubt that the extensive pastures of Australia and New 
Zealand have been deteriorating during the past 20 years, and chiefly from 
the disappearance of the finer fibrous-rooted grasses, whose roots ramify near 
the surface of the ground, The cause of this is evident, by the exposure of 
