GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS. 549 
these phyllodes nor the limb of the real leaves are placed horizon- 
tally, like those of Europe and other parts of the world, but, as 
represented in the engraving, they are perpendicular to the surface 
of the soil, so that the light shining between these vertical blades 
is not arrested, as is the case with our trees and bushes. The 
consequence is that the leaves 
are placed transversely one 
above the other; hence they 
are only subjected to one series 
of reflections, producing re- 
sults not familiar to us. 
The effect produced by 
masses of Australian verdure 
is thus entirely different from 
that to which we are accus- 
tomed in Europe. The aspects 
of these forests particularly 
struck the first travellers who 
visited them, from the singular 
sensation communicated to the 
eye by this mode of distribut- 
ing light and shade. 
The Eucalyptus, which oc- 
cupies such a large place in 
Australian vegetation, may be 
said to be the sacred tree with 
the natives; it shadows the Fig. 447.—Acacia Pentadenia. 
tombs of the savage inhabi- piles, vith ‘aot; 'B, the phyllodium, 
tants of these countries. Sir "ots stot 
Thomas Mitchell, the traveller to whom we owe the first scien- 
tific description of Australia, has given a remarkable picture of 
these “groves of death,” which are daily becoming more and more 
rare, and will disappear under the influence of European colonisa- 
tion. He relates that these groves mark the centre of the patri- 
monial land of each great Australian tribe. Little twmudi of grass, 
and sandy footpaths, surround the clumps of these funereal squares, 
—_ phaah ‘spreads the Lcgpsamded or the seouish aa and Xanthorrea. 
d simple-leaved Mimosa, 
oO 
