VEGETABLE VAGARIES. 281 
is nearly midway between Broome and King’s Sound, further north. A band 
of low-growing Mangroves constitutes, as will be recognised, the background to this 
picture. 
On the sandy ridges in close proximity to the outskirts of the Mangrove belt 
in Roebuck Bay, the very characteristic grass, Spinifexr longifolius, represented by the 
lower of the two figures on page 280 will scarcely escape notice. With the colonists 
it is popularly known as Roley-Poley grass. This title has been given to it with 
reference to the spherical contour of the seed heads, and the unique conditions under 
which their distribution is accomplished. On arriving at maturity these globular seed- 
heads become detached en masse from their supporting stalk, and roll before the wind, 
it may be for miles, along the surface of the sand, before they break up and the 
seeds are distributed. The most luxuriant development of this grass is attained in 
those districts of the sub-tropical Australian coast-line where huge drifting sand-hills 
constitute a leading feature. In such locations, this Spinifex fulfils a very useful 
role. Independently of the above-recorded method of dispersing its seed over widely 
extended areas, the grass itself throws out vigorous runners of great length which, 
penetrating among the sand, to a large measure counteract its natural tendency 
to drift. Fresh Water Camp, Shark’s Bay, in Western Australia, already referred to 
in conjunction with the Chapter dealing with Pearls and Pearl-oysters, is a locality 
where this grass attains to a remarkably luxuriant state of development, and represents 
the scene of the photograph reproduced. 
From among the wealth of Wild Flowers for which Australia in general, and 
Western Australia in particular, is so justly celebrated, the limits of our nearly 
exhausted space permit only of brief reference to the accompanying illustration of a single 
noteworthy example. The type selected for this marked distinction shares the patronymic 
of a modest but most highly-prized British flower, being popularly known throughout 
the area of its recurrence as the “ Fringed Violet.” Technically, the plant is in no way 
related to the Viola tribe, being more nearly allied to the Iris family or Iridacee. The 
precise specific appellation of the form here figured is Thysanotis dichotoma. There are 
many known representatives of the same genus, all indigenous to Australia, and exhibiting 
among themselves a considerable range of variation with regard to both their contour 
and growth habits. All, however, agree with one another in their tri-petallate 
structure, the pellucid texture and lilac tints of their fragile blossoms, and in the 
exquisitely delicate fringe of filaments which borders each separate petal. To a 
talented floral artist the production of a replica of these strikingly characteristic 
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