ON THE FLORA OF AUSTRALIA. 



87 



in point of numbers the Leguminosas come far ahead, and 

 represent about 12 per cent, of the flora. 



The Acacias, numbering some 800 odd species, make up 

 by far the largest Australian genus. The golden and delicately 

 fragrant blossoms of many of these species are amongst the first 

 to proclaim the advent of spring. They are represented almost 

 everywhere in the continent. Some line the banks, and the 

 graceful pendulous branches of some varieties droop over the 

 waters of many of our inland streams. They clothe the moun- 

 tain-side, adorn the pastures, grow in the poorest or in the most 

 fertile soil, while some species revel in sandy tracts either inland 

 or littoral. In some of our dense southern forests they form a 

 large proportion of the undergrowth. Even in the arid and 

 desolate interior they are represented, and form in some cases an 

 almost impenetrable scrub that well-nigh baffles the hardy and 

 daring explorer in his toilsome advance through those dreary 

 and inhospitable solitudes. From this circumstance some have 

 earned the names of " deadfinish " and " wait-a-while." These 

 local names have been doubtless bestowed on them by travellers 

 who have experienced a disappointing repulse in their onward 

 march by an impassable barrier of the dense growth. Strictly 

 speaking many species have no true leaves, but are amply 

 provided with phyllodia. 



Acacias are not without utilitarian value. Several yield a 

 bark exceedingly rich in tannin, e.g. A. decurrens, A. mollissima, 

 while the " Golden Wattle " (A. pycnantha), besides being so 

 attractive to the senses of sight and smell, yields one of the 

 richest barks for tanning purposes in the world. The gum, 

 which is very copiously exuded by several kinds, is used for the 

 same purposes as Gum Arabic. The delicate perfume of the 

 blossoms has been extracted, and furnishes an agreeable scent. 

 Several species, as A. pravissima, A. cultriformis, and others, 

 possess considerable horticultural merit, and are extensively 

 planted. 



The timber of the "Blackwood" or "Lightwood" (^4. 

 melanoxylon) is one of our most valuable, and is used in 

 cabinet work, railway-carriage fittings, and for similar purposes. 

 A. acuminata produces wood whose scent resembles that of 

 raspberries, while the timber of A. homalophylla is violet-scented, 

 Both these species are known as " Myall." 



