58 
The Queensland Naturalist 
Feb., 1922- 
FURTHER NOTES ON MISTLETOES. 
By H. C. Hayes, Kyogle, N.S.W. 
With reference to the article on Mistletoes in the last: 
issue of the '‘Queensland Naturalist,” I may say that I 
have recently been studying the relationship of Mistletoes 
and their hosts, and during my wanderings in the sur- 
rounding country have noticed some peculiar and puzzling 
things. Just as I thought I had got together a formidable 
array of facts, and had established something definite, I 
would happen upon some vagary of this family, which 
would upset everything, and I would have to start all over 
again. 
For instance, one would hardly expect to find two 
species, Loranthus pendulus and L . linophyllus, joined 
together and growing on a Grey Gum ( Eucalyptihs 
propinqua) , but an instance of this can be seen in this 
locality (Kyogle, N.S.W.). L. linophyllus, though very 
partial to Casuarinas, will also attack the Lillypilly 
( Eugenia Smithii). I also noticed two fine specimens of 
L. pendulus growing on an Apple ( Angophora ). 
To me my most interesting discovery was in connec- 
tion with that very distinct species Notothixos sabaurens.. 
I was gratified to find this species growing on L. pendulus.- 
As stated in Mr. White’s article, this species will not 
attack any plant other than another Mistletoe, and hitherto 
I have never seen it growing on any but a broad-leaved 
species.* 
A species of very distinctive appearance, and easily 
recognisable because of its glossy dark-green leaves, which 
are hard and somewhat tough, and with a venation much 
more distinct than in any other member of the family, is 
Loranthus dictyophlebus. Perhaps the most distinctive 
thing about this species is its striped, egg-shaped seeds, 
which are not surrounded by a mass of sticky matter so 
characteristic of this family, but have, as a rule, only a 
thread of sticky matter attached to the base of each seed. 
Each of the pale-green seeds is made up of six sections, as 
in the manner of some capsules, and are slightly ridged. 
The fruits, which are a beautiful orange colour, are 
borne in clusters along the main branches, and closely 
resemble the fruits of the host-tree ( Eugenia Smithii ), on 
which I found it. The bark of this parasite was the same 
colour as that of the host. The leaves when crushed have a 
peculiar and unpleasant smell. 
* We have noticed it growing abundantly on L. linophyllus on 
Swamp Oak ( Casuarina glauca) trees along the Brisbane River. — E ds. 
