98 AUSTRALIAN BOTANY. 



and wheelwrights. The tree grows freely in temperate 

 Australia, particularly in the cooler districts. 



Apricot.— PRUNUS ARMENIACA. (Natural Order, 

 Rosace/E.) Pp. 43, 51, 53, 184. — Some doubt exists as 

 to the native place of this luscious fruit. Its excellent 

 qualities, however, have caused its general cultivation ; and 

 it is a common article in Australian markets. 



Araucaria. — (Natural Order, Conifers.) P. 23. — A 

 handsome genus of coniferous, evergreen trees, widely 

 distributed. The magnificent Norfolk Island pine (speci- 

 mens of which are so common in Australian gardens) 

 belongs to this genus. The Bunya Bunya {Araucaria 

 Bidwilli) of Queensland is another species. The timber 

 of the last-mentioned tree is of great commercial value ; 

 its seeds form a staple article of food with the aborigines. 

 Araucaria Cunninghamii is commonly known as the 

 Moreton Bay Hoop Pine. The timber is largely exported 

 for flooring-boards. Unlike most of the true Pines, which 

 seem able to adapt themselves to almost any climate, the 

 Araucarias thrive only within certain degrees of tempera- 

 ture. For instance, A?'aucaria imbricata will not grow to 

 any great size in the vicinity of Melbourne, while at Ballarat 

 and in the upland districts of Victoria it succeeds remark- 

 ably well. Araucaria Brasiliensis (the Brazilian Monkey 

 Puzzle) is rarely seen in cultivation in Australia. It is a 

 magnificent tree in the forests of tropical Brazil. Araucaria 

 Cooki (Captain Cook's Pine), and Araucaria Rulei> both 

 handsome trees, are natives of New Caledonia. 



Artichoke.— CYNAR A SCOLYMUS. (Natural Order, 

 Composite.) Pp. 54, 182. — A hardy perennial, naturalized 

 and readily cultivated in Victoria. 



