462 
XLI11. LEGUMlNOSiE. 
[ Cassia . 
small and deciduous as in all the allied species. Flowers in short axillary dense 
racemes as in C. eremophila, but usually more numerous on a longer peduncle. 
Sepals obtuse, 2 to 3 lines long, frequently tomentose. Petals twice as long. Pod 
when perfect fully ^in. broad, straight or slightly curved and very obtuse. 
Hub.: Suttor River, F. v. Mueller ; Georgina River. 
20. C. desolata (a desert species), F. v. M. in Linnaa, xxv. 389 ; Bentlu 
FI. Austr. ii. 289. Shrubby, tbe young parts hoary or white, becoming glabrous 
with age. Leaflets 1, 2 or very rarely 3 pairs, ovate obovate or broadly oblong, i 
to lin. long or more, coriaceous ; gland depressed between those of tbe lowest or of 
both pairs, rarely wanting. Flowers in a very short raceme, on short axillary 
peduncles. Bracts ovate, concave. Sepals about 3 lines long, usually pubescent 
or tomentose. Petals twice as long. Anthers nearly equal or 2 or 3 lower ones 
scarcely longer. Pod not seen perfect, but apparently more like that of C. Sturtii 
than of C. oligophylla . 
Hab.: Inland districts. 
Some of the specimens are very doubtful and may belong to C. oligophylla, which this species 
closely resembles in foliage and flowers ; and it would require more perfect materials than I 
have seen to establish satisfactorily the distinction between this species and C. Sturtii on the one 
hand and C. oligophrjlla on the other. — Benth. 
21. C. oligophylla (few-leaved), F. v. M. Fragtn. iii. 49 ; Benth. FI. Austr. 
ii. 289. A tall shrub, glabrous or minutely pubescent. Leaflets 2 or rarely only 
1 pair, broadly obovate, very obtuse, f to lin. long, coriaceous ; glands depressed 
and rather large between those of each pair. Flowers in short dense racemes on 
axillary peduncles, rather more numerous than in the preceding species, with 
rather larger oblong or lanceolate bracts. Sepals obtuse, pubescent, about 3 lines 
long. Petals not twice as long. Anthers 2 or 3 lower ones rather longer than 
the others. Pod 2 to 2iin. long, nearly fin. broad, very obtuse. 
Hab.: Gulf country, Dr. T. L. Bancroft; Georgina River, E. J. Whelan; sandy plains, Nichol 
Bay, F. Gregory’s Expedition. 
From the few specimens gathered, this appears to be closely allied to C. desolata, differing 
chiefly in the pod twice as broad as in C. artemisioides, half as broad again as in C. Sturtii and 
probably as in C. desolata, but better specimens are required to confirm the species. — Benth. 
22. C. oligoclada (branches few), F. v. M. Fragm. iii. 49; Benth. FI. 
Austr. ii. 289. A shrub of 1 to 3ft., softly pubescent in all its parts. Leaflets 3 
or 4 pairs, or in slender starved specimens only 1 or 2 pairs, elliptical-oblong, 
obtuse or almost acute, shortly mucronate, f to lin. long ; glands none. 
Stipules small, setaceous. Flowers 4 to 6, umbellate, on slender axillary 
peduncles, about as long as the leaves ; pedicels almost filiform. Bracts minute, 
deciduous. Sepals obtuse, the largest about 2 lines long. Petals twice as long 
or the upper inner ones rather less. Anthers 3 a little larger than the others. 
Pod stipitate, falcate, pubescent, 1 to l^in. long and about 4 lines broad. Seeds 
4 to 6, on very short funicles. 
Hab.: Gulf of Carpentaria, R. Brown. 
The short broad falcate pod of this species reminds one at first sight of that of the 
Sennas. — Benth. 
23. C. leptoclada (branches slender), Benth. FI. Austr. ii. 290. A shrub of 
3 or 4ft., glabrous and very glaucous, with very slender often purplish branches. 
Leaflets 2 pairs, obovate to oblong-elliptical, very obtuse and sometimes emargi- 
nate, those of the upper pair £ to lin. long, of the lower pair smaller or wanting 
in the lower leaves ; glands small, ovoid, between those of each pair. Stipules 
very minute. Peduncles in the upper axils very short, bearing 2 flowers on 
filiform pedicels, or sometimes the peduncle adnate to the branch, the pedicels 
then proceeding from a little above the axil. Sepals obtuse, not 2 lines long. 
