The South Australian Naturalist. 
113 
Lotus australis Audi*. Several plants of the le^'ume "were 
o'rowiu^' in a eutting' v;here it is not difficult to account for 
their a])])earan(»e, but a plant growing* on undisturbed flat 
among s]>ear grass is not so easily exjilained unless it is a 
relict of the oi*igiiial flora. Tliis s])ecies grows ])lentifully 
near Mitcham station, (it is also well known further along the 
hills line) and its occurrence at Mile End need not occasion 
much surprise, it flowers in Se[)tember and October. 
Hardenbergia monophylla Bentli. ' ‘ Native Lilac or 
Sarsaparilla." A stiecies that grows at the entrance of the hills 
and most likely was once numerous on the plains when they 
were wooded with red and blue gum and peppermint. The 
solitary individual seen was in flower during September and 
was growing on the edge of a railway cutting. 
Oxalidaceae. Oxalis corniculata L. ^'Native Sourso]u" 
Ctrowing everyvdiere and flowering in s]>ring and summer. Not 
a jiest like tlie introduced simcies. 
Zygopliyllaceae. Tribulus terrestris L. This plant was 
evidently brought from the north, (its native habitat) amongst 
engine coal as it is growing alongside repair tracks. This plant 
with its spiny fruits could easily become a nuisance if not a 
pest. Flowers in December to February. 
Malvaceae. Lavatera plebeia Sims. Several clusters of 
this |)lant were in flower in October and grew to three feet in 
height. This is a widesj)read species but not numerous in the 
southern districts, as it ])i*efers the drier northern areas. 
Convolvulaceae. Oonvolvnlus erubescens Sims. A trail- 
ing iierennial flowering in the summer, danuary to March. 
Common but not a pest. 
(.V)ni])ositae. (B.). Vittadinia australis A. Rich. A peren- 
nial undershrub growing to about 18 inches in height ; plentiful 
on the plains on uiicultivated land and flowering from October 
to February. 
EXCHANGES. 
“The Victorian Naturalist/’ December and January Num- 
bers. — The January number contains a fine introductory article 
on the S]nder, containing a simple reference key to the families 
that have been recorded in Australia. 
“Smithsonian Reports.” “Ant Acacias and Acacia Ants 
of Mexico and Central America.” The Ants live only in the 
spines of certain species of Acacias, and are said to defend 
the plants from the ravages of insects, ])articularly the destruc- 
tive leaf-cutting insects. 
