AUSTRALIAN VEGETATION. 87 



known ' mallee-scrub,' which is composed of nine or ten 

 species of dwarf Eucalypti, but especially Eucalyptus dumosa, 

 combined with the myall, desert pine, and other trees. In 

 the open parts of these scrubs, particularly near the large 

 lakes and watercourses, the desert pine (Frenela or Callitris) 

 sometimes occupies considerable areas, whilst as the scrub 

 becomes more open towards the south, in the neighbour- 

 hood of Horsham, sheoaks are prominent. From the fore- 

 going brief outline, it will be seen that the ' stringy-bark ' 

 is by far the most numerous of the indigenous Victorian 

 Eucalypts. 1 Next come the 'box,' 'messmate,' and iron- 

 bark gums ; then the sheoaks, ' lightwood,' wattles, Murray 

 pine, and native honeysuckle, in order. Many species of 

 Eucalyptus, besides those specially mentioned, are found 

 in the districts between the extreme north and the extreme 

 south of the colony. The species called 'box' is repre- 

 sented all over Victoria, patches of it being found even 

 in the heart of the mallee scrub-country. The mallee 

 occupies a territory, almost to the exclusion of the other 



1 Of this genus, foremost in point of beauty for floral effect, is the 

 Ettcalyptus ficifolia, which bears large bunches of bright scarlet flowers. 

 It is a native of Brokes Inlet, Western Australia. This magnificent 

 plant, when in full bloom, is one of the most gorgeous objects possible 

 to conceive. Seen in the distance, it appears like masses of fire. A 

 red flowering variety of E. calopkylla, red gum of Port Gregory, is 

 also very beautiful. The same might be said, however, of the 'flame 

 tree ' [Stercuh'a ace7'ifolia) of Queensland and New South Wales, which, 

 in many parts of those colonies, but especially of the latter, the Illa- 

 warra district, for instance, is very plentiful. When met with in the 

 brush -lands, a single specimen presents an almost dazzling effect ; but 

 when seen ' en masse ' at a distance, from the mountain slopes, it is 

 indeed a glorious sight. Its splendid display of colour is often en- 

 hanced by the refreshing green of the foliage of other trees, and perhaps 

 by a background of far distant mountains suffused with that bluish 

 vapour which renders the scenery peculiarly charming. 



