50 MvororinE&.—THYMELACE#.—BORAGINACES. 
Verbascum Blattaria, L. Moth Mullein. Introduced from Europe, 
Asia and Africa, with agricultural seed. It is now fairly widely spread, 
but does not seem to have done much harm. It ha3 a somewhat unpleasant 
smell, and a strong bitter taste and is useless as fodder. It has more than 
once been suggested as a possible cause of death in stock but without any 
conclusive evidence being brought forward. The allied Celsia Cretica has 
also appeared and is somewhat similar in character. 
Among the Scrophularines parasitic on the roots of grasses three native 
species of Euphrasiw (Eyebright) are included. The European Eyebright 
(E, officinalis, L.) has not yet appeared. The Yellow Rattle (R/inanthus 
Crista-Gallt) and the Cowwheat (M/zlampyrum arvense, L.) are also para- 
sitic on grass roots. The seeds of the latter sometimes make rye flour .in- 
jurious, and have the same injurious effect on beer when present in 
abundance in barley used for brewing. J. pratense, L., the Meadow Cow- 
wheat, is similar, but is not parasitic. All these plants and their allies 
will ultimately appear in this State unless stringent control is exercised over 
the introduction of new plants and weed seeds. 
Myvoporinge& (Myororum F amity). 
These resemble the Scrophularinese somewhat in their flowers, but are 
shrubs or small trees, and with only one to four seeds in each cell of the 
fruit, instead of the numerous seeds characteristic of the Scrophularines. 
With the exception of one genus, this order is entirely Australian, and 
has only a very slight economic importance, the timber being of compara- 
tively little value. A West Indian species yields oil, and gummy or sugary 
exudations from some Myoporums have been used as food by the blacks. 
mGs At least two species are suspected of poisonous properties but no 
experimental information is available in regard to either of them. 
Eremophila maculata, F. v. M., is occasionally given the misleading 
hame of Native Fuschia. The plant appears to have a certain fodder 
value but to be dangerous when eaten in quantity by starved stock, 
especially if weakened by travelling. 
Myoporum deserti, A. Cunn. The Dogwood Poison bush. This is 
supposed to be poisonous when in fruit, but the symptoms are vague, and 
no poisonous principle has been extracted. 
THYMELACEZ (PIMELEA FAMILY). 
Petals none, sepals petaloid, stamens two or more, fruit with a single 
seed. Several species of Pimelea are recorded by Bailey as poisonous but 
on suspicion only and there is an entire lack of scientific evidence in regard, 
to them. P. pauciflora, R. Br., and P. simplex, F. v. M., grow-in Vic- 
toria. The statement that the life of a sheep supposed to be poisoned by 
Pimelea may be saved if its ears are slit is a common superstition in regard 
tu the treatment of stock supposed to be poisoned, and like many other 
superstitions is the cause of a good deal of unnecessary cruelty. A lethargic 
sheep is naturally more lively for a time after its ears have been slit, and 
the fact that it ultimately dies is put down to the ‘‘cure’’ not having 
been applied soon enough. According to Mr. Maiden, Pimelea linifolta, 
Sm., which is widely spread in New South Wales, is quite harmless. 
BoraGInacE# (BoraGEe F Amity). 
Herbs with usually blue, yellow, or white, regular, five partite flowers. 
and the ovary divided into four little nutlets. This comparatively small 
order includes few plants of economic value, although dyes are obtained 
from some, and others have a slight food value. Several are troublesome 
weeds. : 
