NATIVE FLORA OF TROPICAL QUEENSLAND. 431 



Although the genus is widely spread over the tropics, this 

 endemic species is the only Australian one and has a very 

 extended range. 



Acacia sentis was first noticed around Boomarra, one 

 hundred miles north of Cloncurry, and was seen afterwards 

 at various points towards Oloncurry and near Hughenden, 

 growing as little trees ten to twelve feet high, and some- 

 times haviug stipular prickles. Its flowers are pale yellow 

 and its somewhat linear phyllodes a light green. Towards 

 the end of August 1913 the species was in full flower. 



Acacia Cambagei (Gidgea or Gidgee) was first met with 

 at about eighty miles south of Normanton, which is the 

 most northern locality recorded for this species. It comes 

 as far south at least as the Wilcannia district in New South 

 Wales, and often grows on low gravelly ridges and foot- 

 hills, and although it sometimes extends on to the basic 

 black soil, it prefers a slightly more siliceous formation 

 than that selected by its sister trees A. pendula A. Ounn., 

 (Myall), and A. homalopliylla A. Ounn., (Yarran). Around 

 Donor's Hill, one hundred miles south of Normanton, the 

 Gidgea is common on the Cretaceous gravelly, ironstone and 

 somewhat sandy hills. Various writers have recorded this 

 species from Queensland under the name of A. homalopliylla, 

 a very distinct tree. 



Gidgea is remarkable for the very unpleasant smell of its 

 leaves (phyllodes) in damp weather, but these are not with- 

 out their virtue, for in north-western Queensland they are 

 eagerly sought after and browsed upon by camels, and 

 where that animal is concerned Gidgea trees are regarded 

 as amongst the best fodder plants. The timber is freely 

 used for fence posts, and at Cowan Downs it was being 

 made use of for sleepers and ground plates of a new building. 

 This species had ceased flowering on the Flinders by the 

 end of August 1913, and young pods, often slightly falcate, 



