298 A. A. HAMILTON. 



the surface growth during the period of exposure, and in 

 conjunction with the exceptionally deep tap-root acts as a 

 reservoir for food and moisture. It is more frequent on the 

 dune than on the rocky headland, favouring the latter 

 habitat in places where the sand has accumulated to some 

 depth, or in the soil pockets where the tap-root can 

 accomplish its normal descent. The maritime forms are 

 generally more luxuriant than those growing at a distance 

 from the coast. 



Stephania hernandifolia Walp. on the open dune is a 

 trailer, but in its customary habitat in the coastal scrub 

 its climbing habit is asserted. Climatically it is an adapt- 

 able species, ranging from India to the southernmost parts 

 of Victoria, via the Australian coast. 



A consequential member of the dune valley vegetation is 

 the "Lilly Pilly," Eugenia Smithii Poir., which generally 

 adopts a more or less open grove formation. On the head- 

 land its tendency to avoid exposure is manifested in its 

 choice of position, which is usually on the northern (shel- 

 tered) side of the point, or, as on the dune, in a depression. 



The blue flowered trailer Commelina cyanea R. Br., 

 though capable of withstanding a considerable degree of 

 exposure, as its presence on the bluff rocky escarpment 

 indicates, prefers a sheltered shady situation such as that 

 afforded by a Lilly Pilly plantation. When unprotected by 

 shrubby or arboreal vegetation it seeks moisture, a swampy 

 patch on the rock benches, or the verge of a waterhole 

 where it can creep among the rushes and sedges, presenting 

 an ideal habitat. It reaches the Northern Territory coast- 

 ally, and is not recorded south of the Port Jackson district. 1 



A miniature forest of the " White Honeysuckle," Banksia 

 integrifolia L. f., extends along the dune flat on the land- 



1 This species was recently noted by the Government Botanist, Mr. 

 J. H. Maiden, at Sussex Inlet, and by Mr. K. H. Cambage at Milton. 



