10 



been correctly identified as a synonym of S. australis, Banks 

 et Sol. Part of the description reads: "Maximallange der 

 Aehren 10J-20 mm.; Maximaldicke der Aehren 2J-3J mm.; 

 Samenharchen ziemlich lang, angedriickt, an der Spitze 

 zuruckgekriimmt oder-gerollt." It is true that the number 

 of flowers is given as 5, but short-spiked specimens of S. 

 australis occur sometimes in which all the flowers of the spike 

 are arranged in 5's. The specimens on which Bunge's species 

 were founded came from Port Adelaide (Blandowsky, F. 

 Mueller); Melbourne (Hillebrand) ; Port Jackson (Rieder). 



Halocnemum australasicum, Moq. This species must,, 

 judging by the descriptions, have some affinity with 

 Arthrocnemum Lylei. Halocnemum is described as having 

 a "perianthium trijyartitum" (Bentham and Hooker), "peri- 

 gonium triphyllum" (Moquin), and the albuminous seed of 

 Arthrocnemum. A. Lylei differs in the perianth not tri- 

 partite but 3-lobed near the summit, more slender spikes, and 

 also- in the seed-coat. The type of H . australasicum was not 

 seen by Bentham and was only shortly described by Moquin. 

 By the courtesy of Prof. Lecomte, of the Paris Museum of 

 Natural History, the type has been re-examined, and the 

 following particulars, which may prove useful to botanists 

 who seek to rediscover this plant at King George Sound, 

 W.A., have been obtained: "epi floral long de 2 J a 3 J cm., 

 large de 5 a 7 mm.; il est conique-cylindrique, obtus au 

 sommet; la graine ovale, oblongue, noire est aplatie, bordee 

 tout autour de tubercules coniques, allonges, blanchatres, 

 disposes sur 5 a 6 rangs; le milieu de la graine a de petites 

 epines noiratres." 



Arthrocnemum halocnemoides, Nees, var. per granula turn, 

 J. M. Black. Patawalonga Biver, Glenelg. Observations 

 made on the typical form at Ethelton, on the Port Adelaide 

 River, gd to prove that this species has proterandrous flowers. 



Suaeda australis, (R. Br.) Moq. (S. maritima, Benth. 

 non Dumort.) Port Adelaide River and seacoast near Ade- 

 laide. Perennial, 50-80 cm. high; leaves light green; plano- 

 convex; flowers in distinct clusters and then 3-5 in each 

 axil, or in continuous clusters (a dense, leafy spike), with 4-9 

 flowers in the axil, often female only with abortive stamens; 

 fertile stamens exserted; flowers and branches usually becoming 

 purplish-red. 



Phytolaccaceae . 



Gyrostemon ramulosus, Desf. Ooldea Soak (J. M. B.). 

 A shrub 2-4 m. high, growing in sandy soil, with spreading 

 branches; bark corky and brittle; wood when dry extra- 

 ordinarily light in weight; locally known as ''Christmas Bush" 

 on account of its evergeen appearance. 



