1398 CXVII. EUPHOEBIACE^. [Euphorbia. 



the upper axils, forming almost a terminal leafy cyme. Involucre about 1 line-, 

 long, glabrous or pubescent. Capsule 1| line long, glabrous or shortly hairy. 

 Styles short. Seeds irregularly rugose. 

 Hab.: Georgina River. 



7. S. Drummondii (after J. Drummond), Buisf. Cent. F.uph. 14 and in- 

 DC. Prod. XV. ii. 36; Benth. Ft. Aaatr. vi. 49. A prostrate or diffuse much- 

 branched plant, closely resembling the European 7'7. chamcest/ce, Linn , and whea 

 flowering the first year easily confounded with it, but always quite glabrous- 

 and forming at length a perennial thick or woody rhizome. Leaves opposite,, 

 orbicular ovate or oblong, obtuse or notched, entire or serrulate, very oblique- 

 at the base, 2 to 4 lines long, firmer than in E. chwnconiee. Stipules entire 

 fringed or lobed. Flower-heads very small, shortly pedicellate -in the upper- 

 axils. Involucres about | line long, the glands with a narrow white border- 

 entire or nearly so. Capsule under 1 line long, glabrous. Styles notched only, 

 varying from almost none to nearly as long as in E. cJiamasr/ee. Seeds rugose. — 

 E. cltaina-sfjei', E. Ferdinandi, E. Dntm.mondii and E. DallacJiyana-, Baill. Adans. 

 vi. 284, 286. 



Hab.: Broadsouncl and Thirsty Sound, E. Brown ; Brisbane Eiver, F. f. Mueller ; Eockhamp- 

 ton, Dallachy, and oihers ; Curri-willinghie, Dal ton. 



This weed is undoubtedly poisonous to sheep, except perhaps when dry, the most dan- 

 gerous time for sheep to eat it is said to be In the early morning. Its effect on sheep- 

 is stated to be : The head swells to an enormous extent, becoming so heavy that the 

 animul cannot support it, and therefore drags it along the ground ; the ears get much 

 swollen and suppurate. 



The medical virtues ascribed to the plant are : In the form of tea it is considered by 

 bushmen useful in kidney complaint, and a medical man in one of the southern colonies is 

 said to have obtained an alkaloid from it which has proved a valuable local anasthetic; 

 in the cure of sciatica, and in cases of'sjirains. Some bushmen consider an iufus.on of the- 

 herb useful in cases of chronic dysentry and low fever. 



8. S, alsinaeflora (Alsine-leaved), Baill. Adam. vi. 288 ; Benth. F!. Austr- 

 vi. 49. A glabrous and glaucous perennial, with a hard knotted base or 

 rhizome, and much-branched ascending or decumbent stems, often under 

 Gin. high. Leaves opposite, very shortly petiolate, ovate or oblong, entire 

 or obscurely serrulate, oblique or semi-cordate at the base, mostly 4 to f> 

 lines long. Stipules fringed or divided. Flower-heads solitary in the upper 

 axils, very shortly pedicellate, not forming distinct cymes. Involucre rather 

 above it line long, the petal-like appendages of the glands rather broad, entire 

 crenate or sinuate. Styles rather slender and bifid. Fruit not seen. 



Hib.: An inland species. 



9. E. Wheeleri (After—. Wheeler), Baill. Adans. vi. 286 ; Benth. Fl. Austr. 

 vi. 49. A perfectly glabrous plant, apparently annual, branching from the base- 

 into erect or ascending slender stems of 6in. to 1ft. Leaves opposite, in rather- 

 distant pairs, oval-oblong, entire or slightly serrulate, very oblique at the base,, 

 rarely above ^in. long. Stipules entire or lobed. Flower-heads solitary in the 

 forks and upper axils, on very short pedicels. Involucre scarcely above -| line 

 long, the glands with a petal-like entire or slightly lobed appendage scarcely 

 broader than the gland itself. Capsule above 1 line long, on a long stipes. 

 Seeds deeply rugose. — E. dit-aricata, A. Cunn. Herb. 



Hab.: Towards Cooper's Creek. 



This plant appears to be quite distinct from E. Dnniiiiwndii In habit as well as in the capsule' 

 nearly twice as large. It may, however, prove to be the first year's state of A'. alHncefloru. — 

 Benth. 



10. £]. micradenia, (referring to small glands), Boiss. in DC. Prod. xv. ii. 

 27 ; Benth. Fl. Austr. vi. 50. A dwarf perennial with a woody rhizome, closely- 

 allied to F. Macijillivrayi and E. serrulata, differing from the former in its 



