193 



t 

 reappears." I replied that I had personally collected it ia that locality. In 

 this particular locality it is confined to the slopes near the top of the ridges, 

 and is never seen on the flat terraces or strands close to the water's edge. 

 Near Otford its , fellow trees are Banhsia integrifolia and Eucalyptus 

 hotryoides. Mr. A. G. Hamilton informs me that it occurs 100 feet higher 

 than the pit-mouth at Mount Kembla, on the Narrabeen shale formation. 

 This is an instance of the way in which vegetation may be representative 

 of geological formations. We have }>ut few observations on the subject at 

 present, but it affords a most fascinating field for inquiry, to which two 

 well-qualified observers, Messrs. E. H. Cambage'and E. C. Andrews, are 

 giving attention. 



On the coast, and particularly in the southern States, this species grows 

 on sandy land quite close to the sea. 

 The following interesting note refers to its occurrence in the interior: — 



They grow in company or close clUmps, upon decomposed slate or trap-rock 

 formation, also on granite outcrops, and in some cases on sand ridges, but in 

 every instance the situa};ions are very dry and of a barren appearance, always 

 on high, steep ridges. 



The He-Oak, or male tree, always occupies the high side of the ridge, over- 

 shadowing the She-Oak, so that the slightest breeze shakes the pollen on the 

 female tree. The malt- tree is a very compact round-topped tree, with a good 

 shape, and with a much brighter green than the opposite sex. 



The She-Oak is of a more Spreading and drooping habit, spare of foliage, and 

 wanting in symmetry or defined outline. (Forest Ranger Taylor, TVagga 

 Wagga, September, 1802.) 



Mr. E. H. Cambage also speaks of its occurrence on igneous hills, 

 although, as he points out, it is not restricted to one formation. 



Eepresentative localities in the ISTational Herbarium include Deniliquin 

 (Forester Wilshire), where it is known as "Black Oak"; Wanganella, near 

 Hay (E. C. Officer); Weddin, near Young (J.H.M.). Going more west we 

 have Condobolin (J.H.M.) and Dubbo (District Forester Marriott), where 

 it is known as " Mountain Oak." Going north, we find it in various 

 localities in which characteristic western vegetation is found considerably 

 to the east, e.g., "Bull Oak" on stony hills, Wybong (A. Eudder), "Sour 

 Oak" on the sorthern slopes of the hills around Denman (J.H.M.),, and at 

 Mount Dangar (J. L. Boorman). 



Propagation. — From seed. It is an excellent tree for sea-side planting, 

 and should be extensively propagated for that purpose. Some of the hand- 

 somest trees in the coastal belt of Victoria and South Australia are of 

 this species. One of the most beautiful trees I have seen is in a street at 

 Port Fairy, Victoria, beautifully symmetrical, and affording plenty of 

 shade. The wind, so detrimental to the shape of trees in exposed situations 

 as a rule, does not appear to affect the beauty of this species, and I would 

 therefore recommend that She-Oaks for sea-side planting be added to 

 the scanty list of those trees whose merits for the purpose have been well 

 ascertained. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE 0,1. 



A. Branch with pistilliferous flowers. 



B. Eifie cone. 



0. Wuisfd luit containing seed. 



D. Branch with staminiferous flowers. 



E. Stuminiforous flower. 



E. Portion of joint of branehlet showing point of insertion into whorl. 

 1 G. Whorled bracts representing leaves, opened out. 



