SAND-DRIFT PROBLEM IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 97 
Saccharum spontaneum, (‘‘Kans-grass.”’ 
‘«‘Plays an important part in the process of reclamation. Kans 
possesses an enormous amount of vitality in its stems, which are 
capable of producing plants at every nude and joint.” (Duthie, 
op. cit.) 
For a further account of this grass, see Dict. Econ. Prod. 
India, VI., (pt. 2) p. 11. Both of these grasses are coarse, 
and are only eaten by cattle when young. 
SMALL PLANTS (non grasses). 
Mesembryauthemum cequilaterale, Haw. ‘Pigs’ Faces.” 
Lippia nodifiora, Linn. A plant belonging to the Verbena 
family which forms a mat in nearly pure sand. 
This list can be indefinitely extended. 
Il. THE WESTERN PROBLEM. 
In dealing with the coastal drifting sands, the relation 
of cause and effect is very obvious, in dealing with the 
interior sands, their dire effects are very obvious, although 
their causes and source are less clear. It is with the view 
of drawing attention to the paucity of information in regard 
to the causes of our Western Sand-drifts and of endeavour- 
ing to outline a method of dealing with them on scientific 
principles that the present paper is submitted. 
1. Report of the Western Lands Commission, etce.— 
The report of the Western Lands Commission’ is a cyclo- 
peedia of information in regard to the condition of the far 
western portion of this State. A note on sandstorms is 
given at p. 8 with references to the evidence of witnesses 
on the subject. Two remarkable photographs are repro- 
duced, one showing denudation, three feet of soil having 
been removed by the wind from the roots of a tree, and 
* Western Division of New South Wales, Royal Commission to enquire 
into the condition of the Crown Tenants, Parts I. and II., 1901. Printed 
by order of the Legislative Assembly. 
