92 A USTRA LI AN BOTANY. 



cricket balls \ whilst those of the native plum (Achras), 

 which are dark purple, vie with the others in richness of 

 tint. The contrast thus afforded often calls forth the 

 admiration of the spectator. These, among many other 

 trees, the red and white cedars, rosewood, etc., profusely 

 ornamented with parasites and epiphytes, grow to a great 

 height, and support the heavy veil of climbers, which defies 

 the sun's rays. There are bits of primeval forest scenery 

 in Australia which, perhaps, could rival that of some of the 

 Brazilian forests in richness. The traveller along a moun- 

 tain track in parts of Xew South Wales and Queensland 

 may sometimes stand on the crest of a commanding hill 

 and witness a valley beneath him having the appearance 

 of a picturesque lawn, firm, and inviting to the foot, dotted 

 with a profusion of flowers, and studded with trees, whose 

 apparently short stems are nearly hidden by the lavish 

 verdure around them. A breeze will sometimes sweep 

 down this smiling valley, and the waving sea of vegetation 

 be ruffled under its influence. Bold, rugged, precipitous 

 ridges upon either side frequently rise, tier above tier, and 

 present truly magnificent pictures. As one descends the 

 rocky declivities, clothed with trees and shrubs, the foliage 

 of which is of almost every shade of green, he discovers that 

 the seemingly compact lawn, seen from the uppermost 

 craggy spurs, is simply a canopy spreading over many acres, 

 and composed of trumpet jasmine {Tecoma jasminoi'des), 

 Wonga "Wonga vine {Tecoma Australis), Deri'is scandens^ 

 and other climbers of similar habit and equally robust growth. 

 These climbers are supported by lofty Eucalypti, Ficus, 

 sassafras (Doryfihora), and ' beefwood ' {St eno carpus) trees, 

 which tower up from the vale beneath. But farther down 



