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JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



attain with us the proportions of trees, which is not common in 

 this order. Included among the Composite are very many 

 beautiful everlastings which here, as elsewhere, are of wide 

 distribution. Western Australia is specially rich in exquisite 

 examples of these deservedly popular flowers. The genus 

 UeHchrysum contains some three score species, many of them 

 of more than ordinary beauty. The allied genus Helipterum 

 includes about forty species. Asters — many of them strong- 

 growing shrubs — are rather more numerous than any other 

 genus in this order, which, though one of the most extensive in 

 the world, is fourth with us as regards the number of species. 

 The native Daisies (Brachycome spp.) have representatives all 

 over the colonies, including Xew Zealand ; but the genus 

 does not seem to extend beyond these limits. Among its two 

 score species are many dainty, attractive, and meritorious 

 plants. 



Grasses are represented by a goodly number of species, 

 though exceeded by the Cyperaccce. Extensive areas in the 

 uninhabited interior produce little else but a so-called " Spinifex " 

 (Triodia irritans), which is spiny and utterly useless as fodder. 

 Its sharp spines caused considerable irritation to the legs of the 

 unfortunate beasts of burden in all the exploring expeditions 

 that crossed any extent of it. It affords shelter to a few native 

 animals and reptiles which form the scanty food of the few 

 nomadic and indolent natives who traverse occasionally these 

 dreary regions. They burn the grass, and thus drive out their 

 intended prey. The " Kangaroo Grass " (Anthistiria ciliata), or, 

 as it should be called by priority, Themeda triandra {Anthi- 

 stiria Forskalii), is a splendid fodder plant. It resists the 

 drought to which the continent is subject, and springs up into 

 growth immediately after rain. " Grass-trees " are common in 

 many parts. The leaves are long and wiry, and the white bases 

 of the young inner leaves are edible and of a nutlike flavour. 

 The flower spikes that surmount the tufts of leaves are 

 frequently several feet in height. Grass-trees (Xanthorrhcea spp.) 

 are not grasses, but are allied to the Lilies, and were included 

 among the Liliaccce by our late distinguished Government 

 Botanist. Of liliaceous plants we have many varieties. A 

 number are small but none the less beautiful. Grass-lilies of 

 brilliant hues adorn the pastures. The " Fringe-lilies " 



