Art. VIII. — The Cryptogamia of the Australian Alps. 

 Part I. 



By James Stirling, F.L.S., F.G.S. 



[Read 10th September, 1885.] 



The following brief notes on some Habitats of the Crypto- 

 gamic Plants of the Australian Alps are given in continua- 

 tion of the author's Notes on the " Phanerogamia of the 

 Mitta Mitta," &c., previously published in the Transactions 

 of the Royal Society.* The value of a systematic descrip- 

 tion of the Florula of a region so unique in its geographical 

 position with respect to any other series of mountain 

 ranges, as the Australian Alps undoubtedly is, will no dou bt 

 prove serviceable to students of Phytography. Although 

 we are all deeply indebted to the writings of Sir F. von 

 Mueller, K.C.M.G., &c, our illustrious and even now vener- 

 able botanist — particularly the information given in Vol. XL 

 of the Fragmenta Phytographiece and other publications : 

 and also to the writings of several distinguished specialists, 

 as Mr. Mitten,| and other bryologists, mycologists, &c. — yet, 

 if we except the general remarks given in the local writings 

 of Mr. Bailey, F.L.S. ; of Queensland, Mr. French of Mel- 

 bourne, Professor Tate of South Australia, and a few other 

 well-known Australian botanists, very little has been done 

 towards grouping together the Cryptogamic Florula of 

 typical areas. The altitudinal and, consequently, climatic 

 zones of the Australian Alps, with the varying conditions of 

 humidity and frequent alternations of geologic formations, 

 afford excellent means of studying the differentiation of 

 varietal forms, and, consequently, their biological develop- 

 ments. In a subsequent article I hope to be able to supply 

 xylographic drawings of the micro-fungi and other lowly 

 mycologic forms. To Baron von Mueller and Mr. Sullivan,. 

 F.L.S., of Moyston, the author tenders sincere thanks for 

 assistance in naming the species herein recorded. 



* Trans. Royal Society Vic, Vols. XIX. and XX. 



t Australian Mosses, Vol. XIX. Trans. Royal Society Vict., p. 50. 



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