POLEMONIACE&.— PRIMULACEA. 43 
appeared, coupled with proper regulations to prevent its reintroduction with 
impure seed, would have gaved Australia an annual loss which cannot be 
-estimated at less than several thousand pounds. The weed is essentially a 
pastoral one, easily kept under by cultivation, and hence partially sup- 
pressed by combined pasturage and rotation systems. 
It has been recorded as poisoncus te stock, but on false grounds. They 
do not touch it under ordinary circumstances. If eaten by them when 
pressed by hunger it would, however, undoubtedly be apt to exercise an 
injurious mechanical action, just as in the case of many woody or spiny 
but non-poisonous weeds. 
Preclaimed for the whcle State. 
POLEMONIACEE (PHLOx FAMILy). 
A small family of bitter-tasting herbs, useless as fodder, and of no 
pronounced economic value. One member only, an introduction from 
‘North America, has increased to such an extent as to make it a ‘pest. 
Gilia squarrosa, Hook and Arn. The Californian Stink Weed, Dig- 
ger’s Weed, or Sheep Weed. This is a rather rigid plant, not exceeding 
one to two feet in height. The stems branch copiously in more or less 
zigzag fashion, and, like the leaves and calyces, are covered with glandular 
viscid hairs, emitting a fetid smell. Leaves one to two inches long, deeply 
cut into pointed pinnate segments, the upper leaves and bracts simpler and 
Spiny. Flowers in dense heads, surrounded by green, leaf-like bracts. 
Calyx of five pointed segments, united at the base, and exceeding the pale- 
blue, occasionally white, corolla lobes. Stamens and trifid stigma enclosed 
within the tube of the corolla. 
The plant is a native of California, and other parts of North America 
(hence Californian Stink Weed), and was originally found on moist ground 
in mountain valleys. In Victoria, however, it withstands drought, and 
spreads rapidly, being a freely seeding annual or biennial. The plant is 
a troublesome and aggressive but non-poisonous weed. On cultivated land 
it is easily kept under by clean cultivation, by the growing of root crops, 
and by the destruction of seedlings by hoeing and working the soil during 
dry weather. On pastures and waste places, cutting before seeding will 
help to keep it down, and if repeated until the seed in the soil is exhausted 
will eventually suppress it. The seed in the soil appears to be short-lived, 
and if the pasture is periodically rested, and a good stand of grass main- 
tained, this aids in preventing seedlings from re-establishing themselves. 
Proclaimed for the whole State, March, 1907. 
PRIMULACEZ (PRIMROSE FAMILY). 
They form a small order, easily recognized by the five stamens arising 
from the corolla, the superior ovary with one cavity, and the seeds arising 
from a mound in the centre of it. Apart from Cyclamen and Anagailis, 
the order is a non-poisonous one, which includes many decorative plants, 
but otherwise has no special economic value. 
Anagallis arvensis, L. -Pimpernel or Shepherd’s Weather Glass. (The 
flowers close in wet weather.) An introduction from Europe. The scarlet 
flowers and creeping stems with soft green leaves of this small annual are 
now to be seen almost everywhere, but it is too weak to be a serious pasture 
or crop weed, although sometimes troublesome in gardens, if allowed to 
seed freely. The plant can ripen and shed its seed within three weeks, and 
the seed appears to be able to retain its vitality in the soil for at least one 
or two years. 
