ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. is 
arises why it does not spread laterally instead of proceeding in one 
direction ; and to this I have no answer to give. It is certain that 
on the roots of the dead trees a minute fungus of a whitish colour 
has been observed, but a similar fungus growth is common on the 
roots of other dead trees which have perished by decay. The 
investigation of this subject is one to be commended to every man 
of intelligence who may have the opportunity of inquiring into it. 
Myattention has of late been frequently drawn to another strange 
occurrence, very different from the last, but almost as difficult to 
explain. Over many parts of the country lying between the 
Lachlan and the Murray River a species of Frenela, Mirb., locally 
called pine, is spreading so rapidly and so thickly as to seriously 
affect the grazing capabilities of station property generally. This 
tree bears cones, having small seeds, somewhat angular in shape 
and hard in substance, but not at all likely to be carried about by 
the agency of birds or animals of any kind. The country over 
which it is spreading so fast and in such profusion has long been 
occupied as sheep and cattle stations, but until the last few years 
no great increase of the tree had been noticed. As this new growth 
cannot have had a spontaneous existence, it can only be supposed 
that the seeds have been lying in the ground for a long and indefi- 
nite period. This is the only explanation which I can offer for 
the very extraordinary manner in which this tree is spreading. It 
is not one, I must admit, quite satisfactory to myself, as, unlike 
seeds of certain Acacias, those of Callitris readily vegetate when 
placed in the earth, nor does it appear that the ground has under- 
gone any unusual change to cause the seeds to germinate. 
As yet absolutely nothing has been done in this Colony towards 
re-foresting any part of this country, and it is no easy matter to 
suggest a practicable plan by which this most desirable object could 
be accomplished. Valuable reserves have been made, however, in 
many well-timbered parts of the country, under the care and super- 
vision of public officials. These reserves will preserve many excel- 
lent kinds of trees from being recklessly wasted, and most useful 
hereafter as a means of supplying seeds and plants of our best 
