390 R. H. CAMBAGE. 



Two of each were planted after having been immersed in 

 sea-water for 133 days, and both of the former and one of 

 the latter germinated in from two to three weeks, and the 

 remaining one in eight weeks. The seeds were placed in 

 boiling water immediately before being planted. 



Although these experiments show the great vitality of 

 certain seed in sea- water, they do not, of course, prove that 

 the seeds secure transport. Nor does it follow that seeds 

 of all species which are transported find suitable homes 

 when cast ashore. It is well known that various species 

 of different genera, in their natural state, exercise the 

 greatest discrimination in the selection of soils and climate r 

 and that while the seeds of many species may germinate 

 when cast ashore, only certain species would establish 

 themselves without having care and attention in their 

 infancy. Bushels of seed from our typical mountain 

 Eucalyptus species might be scattered over the black-soil, 

 plains of the west, and the great bulk of it would probably 

 germinate, though it is most unlikely that a single tree 

 would become established as the result. 



A. Farnesiana will grow in Australia on the sea-shore 

 or in the dry interior, and, as a result of its adaptability, 

 is very wide-spread throughout the tropics. 



Considering the marvellous distribution of the world's 

 plants, it seems imperative, when seeking for the solution 

 of the problem, that the investigation of all sources of 

 natural dispersal should be exhausted before it be assumed 

 that certain portions of such distribution may be attributed 

 to the agency of man. 



It was mentioned in Part I, (p. 24), that of four seeds of 

 A. Farnesiana from Boomarra, in tropical Queensland, 

 which were planted after having been in sea-water for 

 three months and afterwards placed in boiling water, two 

 immediately germinated. In Part II, (p. 145), it was 



