1 72 A USTRALIAN BOTANY. 



most noticeable of the numerous species of this genus known 

 in Australia. It is a grand timber tree, bearing large masses 

 of comb-shaped, highly-perfumed yellow or orange coloured 

 flowers. It is a native of Northern New South Wales and 

 Queensland, found on rich alluvial river banks, where it 

 often attains to a height of 100 feet. It is considered the 

 best Australian stavewood. 



Silver Wattle. — See 'Acacia Dealbata,' pp. 54, 197. 



Snowflake.— LEUCOJUM. (Natural Order, Amaryl- 

 lide/E.) Pp. 17, 49. — An attractive, bulbous-rooted plant, 

 resembling the snowdrop, but somewhat larger. The 

 Snowflake grows from 12 to 18 inches in height, producing 

 spikes of white flowers, tipped with green. 



Soap Aloe.— ALOE SAPONARIA. (Natural Order, 

 Liliace^e.) P. 188. — Drugs obtained from this beautiful 

 genus of plants are in great use in medicine. They are 

 natives of most warm countries. The Soap Aloe produces 

 a lather when rubbed between the hands, like soap ; 

 hence its common name. 



Spotted Thistle.— CARDUUS MARIAN US. (Natural 

 Order, Composite.) Pp. 29, 201. — Also called the Holy 

 Thistle ; a plant having large, glossy leaves with white veins. 

 Its seeds are eaten with avidity by many birds. This Thistle 

 is better known in pastoral and agricultural districts as the 

 variegated thistle \ also known as the ' Artichoke Thistle.' 



Staghom Fern.— PLAT YCERIUM GRANDE. (Natural 

 Order, Filices.) Pp. 59, 90. — A handsome, epiphytal fern, 

 found in many parts of Australia, and though not indigenous 

 to Victoria, it grows freely, when cultivated on the trunks of 

 trees. In the Queensland forests the stems of giant speci- 

 mens of Ficus and Tree Ferns are profusely decked with 



