110 NATIVE FLOWERS OF VICTORIA. 
genus of plants, which is largely represented in our 
gardens, is found more frequently in South Africa. 
Of the Victorian species, australe and equilaterale 
are the two large reddish flowered kinds which are 
found on the seashore as well as in the drier interior. 
The thick fleshy foliage of the former is round, while 
in the latter it is triangular shaped. The fruits of 
these two species were eaten by the aborigines. 
Mesemhrianthemum tegens is the small flowered 
heliotrope coloured species, which trails along, and 
flowers so ahunantly in springtime, and which was so 
common in the salty meadows near West Melbourne. 
One could go on for some considerable time enum- 
erating and describing the native plants, for they are 
still numerous and useful, as well as beautiful, but 
enough has been said to introduce to our readers the 
flora of which we should be justly proud. Interest- 
ing plants may be found in any part of Victoria, and 
those who wish to become enthusiasts should take a 
trip in the spring or early summer to some place 
where civilisation has not yet destroyed the flowers, 
and they will be well rewarded. Anywhere will do 
— the plains of the MaUee, the rugged Grampians, the 
mountains of the north-east, the mountains, gullies, 
and coastal plains of Gippsland, the banks of the 
Murray — ^these wiU aU yield their treasures to those 
who search for them. 
