ATJSTBALIAN HONEY PLANTS 281 



countries is very similar to that existing in certain parts 

 of Australia. The industry has grown to such an extent 

 that numbers of people have embarked upon the produc- 

 tion of flowers to cope with the demands of the Parisian 

 perfumiers. With the exception of some few experi- 

 mental plots, little has been accomplished in this country 

 towards establishing this very profitable industry. 



Smooth Bell or Hare Bell, {Wahlenbergia gracilis). 

 Grows luxuriantly about Monaro, New South Wales, 

 especially in the ranges. A dark unsaleable honey is 

 gathered from the blooms during October. 



Sheep's Sorrel (Rumex). A small annual, introduced 

 from Europe and established in Australia as far back as 

 1802. Yields pollen of a sombre tint and is considered 

 valuable in some localities. This weed indicates a 

 deficiency of lime in the soil. 



Sandalwood, {Santalum lanceolatum) . Yields honey 

 and pollen in Queensland about September. The honey 

 is dark, but it materially assists colonies to breed up in 

 early Spring. The wood of the Western Australian 

 species has a fragrant perfume likened to the Malabar 

 Sandalwood. There are about 40 species in Australia 

 iucluding the Native Peach (Quandong) and the Native 

 Cherry (Exocarpus). These two latter are common in 

 Central Australia. 



Sheoke, (Casuarina). Yields a fair supply of pollen 

 during December and January in Western Australia. 

 This order is scattered over the whole of the Common- 

 wealth even in the vast arid areas of Central Australia. 

 The timber of some species is extremely hard and solid. 

 On account of their ruddy colour they are often referred 

 to as "Beef wood" trees. 



Silky Oak, (Grevillea robusta). The remarkable 

 flowers of this tree may be easily identified even at a dis- 

 tance. The feathery unique clusters or sprays of bloom 

 are cadmium orange in colour with a dark red spot 

 in the centre of each floret. During the period of flor- 

 escence the blossom completely eclipses the light green 



