June, 1953 
THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST 
Sixty-nine 
BOOK 
“Illustrations of the Fruits ( and Buds) 
of Eucalyptus Species with Alphabetical 
and Numerical Indices ” Leaflet No. 
<33. Forestry and Timber Bureau, Coin- 
month wealth of Australia, 1952. 
The first paragraph of the Foreword 
reads: — “This leaflet has been produced 
in the hope that it may assist foresters 
and botanists in field identification of 
eucalypt species,” but it is doubtful if 
this would be the case. The illustrations 
have been taken from Maiden’s “A 
Critical Revision of the Genus Eucalyp- 
tus” and each has been brought to life- 
size. The nomenclature is based on 
Blakely’s “A Key to the Eucalypts” but 
unfortunately the illustrations are NOT 
in the natural sequences decided upon 
by Blakely. 
The result is merely a jumble of 
illustrations not only showing little 
relationship one with the next one, but 
REVIEW 
frequently separating the varieties from 
the parent species which adds to the 
confusion. Further, proof reading has 
not been good, for at least five (Nos. 
16, 94, 98, 596 and 171) are upside down 
— the last number, 171, is still upside 
down although placed as would normally 
be accepted as the right way up! 
Today, when anything published on 
Eucalypts of a critical and comprehensive 
nature is of value, it is to be regretted 
that the present "leaflet” cannot be in- 
cluded in this category. 
To make this leaflet workable it is 
suggested that you follow the lead of a 
local forester, namely, spend 24 evenings 
cutting out the illustrations and re- 
arranging them in numerical order by 
sticking them on to foolscap sheets. Then, 
and then only, will this leaflet fulfil the 
hope of the first paragraph. 
N.L. 
ROADSIDE VEGETATION 
The retention of natural vegetation 
along roadsides adds very considerably to 
the scenic effect, and it is particularly 
desirable that such vegetation should be 
maintained in its integrity along the 
tourist main roads, as, for instance, to- 
wards Victor Harbour. In addition these 
are some of the last strongholds of native 
plant and animal life. An addtional ad- 
vantage of retaining the vegetation is 
that wind erosion is lessened and a cer- 
tain amount of protection may be given 
in wind-swept areas to stock in adjacent 
fields. The members of the Flora and 
Fauna Committee were unanimously of 
the opinion that every effort should be 
made to retain this natural vegetation 
and trust that an approach to local 
Councils may be successful in emphasis- 
ing the value of this retention. 
* J.B.C. 
(Two other sites where original native 
vegetation can still be seen is along rail- 
way lines and in country cemeteries. 
The latter is an invaluable collecting 
area! Editor). 
CULTIVATION OF 
When going down the street the 
other day my wife saw a patch of 
blue on the footpath above the 
railway station, and on stopping to 
investigate found it was a fine patch 
of Scaevola aernula growing 
through at least 3 ins. of compac- 
ted limestone rubble and also in 
the cracks of the stone paving in 
the gutter. How these plants got 
there and how they exist I do not 
NATIVE PLANTS ! 
know, but there it is and flowering 
profusely too. This is a fine little 
plant and is very showy as it is a 
mass of lavender flowers. I was 
afraid that the Corporation em- 
ployees might take it into their 
heads to clean out the gutter and 
so I dug up a few small plants and 
they look as if they will survive the 
shift! 
(Extract of letter from Mr. A. R. R. Higginson, 
Port Augusta). 
