132 AUSTRALIAN BOTANY. 



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Kangaroo Apple.— SOLANUM AVICULARE. (Natural 

 Order, Solane/e.) P. 53. — A handsome, bluish-purple 

 flowered plant, indigenous to Victoria and most of the other 

 Australasian colonies. It is frequently found on the banks 

 of creeks and rivers, also in moist sandy soil, ascending to 

 aub-alpine heights. It is also common around Melbourne. 

 The plant is of very quick growth, and of shrubby habit. 

 The first year it produces flowers and fruit in great abundance, 

 the latter generally of a deep orange colour. After the first 

 year it seems to become herbaceous ; the branches die down 

 to the ground, and are annually replaced by a fresh growth. 

 The Gunyang {Solatium vescum) is another variety found 

 in Victoria. The berries of the Kangaroo Apple, like most 

 solanaceous plants, possess poisonous properties. 



Kangaroo Grape.— VITIS (CISSUS) ANTARCTICA. 

 (Natural Order, Ampelide.e.) P. 30. — An evergreen, 

 woody climber, with ovate glabrous leaves. It bears an 

 abundance of black, globular berries, about the size of a 

 currant. They are edible, but rather harsh. The plant is 

 usually found on the banks of rivers, and is very common 

 in parts of New South Wales. It is also found in the 

 Moreton Bay district, Queensland. 



Kangaroo Grass.— ANTHISTIRIA CILIATA. (Natural 

 Order, Gramine^.) Pp. 17, 54, 208. — This strong, coarse 

 grass grows to a height of 2 or 3 feet in suitable situations. 

 It is indigenous to all parts of Australia, affording excellent 

 pasture for cattle and horses. Mr. Bacchus, a recognised 

 authority on our native grasses, says of it — ' The finest and 

 most useful of all indigenous grasses. Here (Victoria) it 



