ACACIA LONGIFOLIA. 
(Long-leaved Acacia.) 
Class. 
POLYGAMIA. 
Natural Order, 
LEGUMINOS^. 
Order. 
MONGECIA, 
Generic Character.— four or five-toothed. 
Petals four or five, sometimes free and sometimes 
joined together into a four or five-cleft corolla. Sta- 
mens variable in number, from 100 to 200 in each 
flower. Legume continuous, dry, two valved. 
Specific Character. — Phyllodia lanceolate, atte- 
nuated at both ends, two or three-nerved at the base 
and quite entire, the rest many-nerved. Spikes axillary, 
twin, on short peduncles. Calgx four-cleft. 
Synonymes.— Mimosa longifolia, M. macrostacJiya, 
Acacia Jioribunda. 
It is a fact respecting this wonderfully extensive genus, to which we render an 
unwilling admission, that the well-known uniformity in the colour of the flowers 
of its extensive family divests it of a portion of that interest, that the merits of its 
numerous species as a whole otherwise deserve. But while we are compelled to 
acknowledge this defect in respect to the inflorescence of the family, we are happily 
able to point to a feature in its general character that, in a great measure atones for 
that defect : we allude to the great diversity of forms that characterise the foliage 
in the different species. 
The existence to a certain extent of this variation might also be referred to the 
manner in which the flowers are produced. 
Our present species is a native of New South Wales, but nearly half a century 
has elapsed since it was introduced to the country : it is one of the stronger- 
growing kinds, approaching a tree-like dimensions ; and under cultivation, perh'^ps, 
it would be more in its proper position if planted against a conservative wall, or in 
the border of the conservatory ; undoubtedly in these situations it would be seen to 
the greatest advantage, but that does not preclude it from being induced to wear 
an engaging aspect under other circumstances : it rather points it out to the culti- 
vator as an object on which to exercise his skill. 
The main point to attend to in its management as a plant cultivated in pots, 
would be a constant endeavour to obtain age in the plants, at the same time not 
permitting their growth to extend beyond certain limits. A liberal use of the 
pruning -knife would be quite requisite in order to further the object just men- 
tioned ; and in training, it should be the principal care to maintain a proper 
