In a desire of continuing the illustrative volumes, issued already on Eucalyptus, 

 Acacia and allied genera, as well as on Myoporinous plants, it was deemed best, 

 to select the Salsolaceae for next sequence, inasmuch as this ordinal group in the 

 vegetation of Australia presents not only a multitude of endemic forms of high 

 phytologic interest, but also a considerable number of prominent utilitarian value. 

 The "Saltbushes" constitute in many wide tracts of our island-continent the 

 prevailing vegetation, and on this again depends then locally to a large extent the 

 sustenance of herds and flocks. Moreover, this kind of pastoral nutriment has 

 proved so particularly wholesome, that " Saltbush-country " has become among 

 Australian ruralists quite famous already for a long series of years, more particularly 

 so as Salsolaceae will live even through the direst periodic droughts. That under 

 such circumstances these important plants may finally succumb through continuous 

 depasturing processes, cannot be surprising ; thus, then the necessity is forced 

 on the proprietors or holders of "runs," to renew the saltbush-vegetation by 

 methodical sowings. Furthermore many pastoral estates could, on adequate soil, 

 doubtless be largely improved by the introduction of the best kinds of these plants 

 as additions to existing natural herbage. It becomes then imperative also, to 

 select only those particular species, which are preferentially liked by pasture- 

 animals, for any portion of this part of the world, to resuscitate failing nutriture. 

 Yet such selections would often be of the utmost difficulty, unless from pictural 

 displays in a special work each of the numerous kinds of our salsolaceous herbs 

 or shrubs could be readily recognised. But, irrespective of our own motives for 

 practical gain, we here should remain conscious, that while we are constantly 

 adding from abroad to the plants-treasures of Australia, we likewise in a cosmo- 

 politan spirit should afford facilities in return, to select from the Australian gifts 

 of nature whatever might be conducive for increasing also the riches of rural 

 pursuits in any other part of the world, with a genuine and disinterested desire 

 for adding thus from here to the comfort and prosperity also in many another 

 land through circumspect benignity and due gratefulness of ours. 



Melbourne, October, 1889 



