FOR VICTORIAN INDUSTRIAL CULTURE. 



67 



Cyperus textiliS, Thunberg. {Cyperus vaginatus, K. Brown.) 

 Widely dispersed over the Australian continent, but not yet 

 noticed in Tasmania and New Zealand. It is restricted to 

 swampy localities, and tlius is not likely to stray into ordinary 

 fields. It is our best indigenous fibre-plant, and it is like- 

 wise valuable as being with ease converted into pulp for good 

 writing-paper, as shown by me some years ago. Its j^erennial 

 gi'owtli allows of regular annual cutting. Within Victorian 

 territory this Galingale-rush is particularly common on the 

 Murray-flats. 



Cytisus SCOparius, Link. [Spartium scoparlum, Linne.) 



The Broom-bush. Europe, North Asia, Of less significance 

 as a broom-plant than as one of medicinal value. It can 

 also be used for tamiing purposes. Most valuable for arrest- 

 ing drift-sand. An alkaloid (Spartein) and a yellow dye 

 (Scopaj-in) are obtainable from this Broom-bush. 



Dacrydium Colensoi, Hooker. 



New Zealand. A beautiful tree, growing 50 feet in height 

 and producing hard and incorruptible timber; chiefly eligible 

 for our ali^ine regions. 



Dacrydium cupressinum, Solander. 



New Zealand. Native name, Rima; the Ked Pine of the 

 colonists. This stately tree acquires the height of 200 feet, 

 and furnishes a hard and valuable wood, very lasting for 

 fences, but readily decaying in waterworks. Mr. Kirk 

 recommends the timber on account of its great strength for 

 girders and heavy beams anywhere under cover. With other 

 New Zealand conifers particularly eligible for our forest- 

 valleys. A most suitable tree for cemeteries, on account of 

 its pendulous branches. 



Dacrydium Franklini, Hooker fil. 



Huon Pine of Tasmania; only found in moist forest recesses, 

 and might be planted in our dense fern-tree gullies. Height 

 of tree, 100 feet; stem circumference, 20 feet. The wood is 

 highly esteemed for ship-building and various artisans' work. 



Dactylis caespitosa, Forster. {Poa Forsteri, Steudel.) 



Fuegia, Falkland's Island, South Patagonia. The Tussock- 

 grass. Thrives in cold countries near the sea in pure sand, 

 at the edge of peat-bogs. It would likely prosper in our 

 Alpiiie moors. It is perennial, and reaches to a height of 

 seven feet. It is very nutritious, and much sought by herds. 

 The base of the stem is nutty and edible. 



Dactylis glomerata, Linne.* 



Eiu'ope, North Africa, North and Middle Asia. The Cocks- 



