2 Phanerogamia of the Mitta Mitta Source Basin 



to whose kindness, indeed, I am indebted for help in the 

 matter of systematic classification. Among numerous ques- 

 tions of phytological importance, there is perhaps none more 

 interesting than that which relates to the effects of defined 

 geological formations on the growth of plants, and more 

 especially on the evolution of varieties. In order to con- 

 tribute my quota towards a solution of the question, 

 which may be used for comparisonal purposes by those 

 having a larger experience and more extensive phy tochemical 

 knowledge, 1 have given the geological formation upon which 

 I have found each species to be most prolific. So far as my 

 limited observations would warrant me in forming an opinion, 

 I would suggest meteorological conditions as exercising a 

 more dominating influence over the growth of plants, and in 

 the evolution of varieties, than has hitherto, so far as I am 

 aware, been recognised. Undoubtedly, those soils decom- 

 posed from the great rock formations richest in the alkaline 

 salts, also carbonic acid and ammoniacal compounds (from 

 which plants derive a great part of their nourishment), 

 greatly affect the growth of species ; but whether such 

 chemical constituents evolve varieties is, I think, quite 

 another question. How far the phenomena of insect cross 

 fertilisation may be assumed as a factor I cannot venture an 

 opinion ; but it is extremely probable that insect life is sub- 

 ordinated to climatic influences, so that altitudinal differences 

 and hygrometric conditions are really important factors to 

 be considered in estimating the value of geological or ento- 

 mological agencies. 



However, whether meteorological conditions, geological 

 formation, or entomological considerations are paramount, or 

 whether each are modified by the other, there can be no 

 doubt that the subject is one of great scientific interest, and 

 can only be settled by patient collection, comparison, and 

 analysis. In this paper I have limited my remarks to the 

 dicotyledonous plants only, reserving the monocotyledonas 

 and the cryptogamia for a subsequent paper. 



Taking the area as a whole, it may be said to consist of 

 fine open pasture lands, the more dense arboreous vegeta- 

 tion being confined to the Dividing Range, and the shrubs 

 to its shaded gullies and southern slopes of prominent 

 spurs, and the heath-like plants to open, sunny northern 

 slopes. Out of the included 670,000 acres within the Mitta 

 Mitta Source Basin, fully 400,000 are admirably adapted for 

 pastoral pursuits, and there is every reason to believe that 



