Notes on the A^eoetation of the Nohth-Kastkkn (Joldfields. 
123 
country — and an oceasi(.)nal specimen of a myrtaceous plant, wliich was not 
found in flower but is probably a species of Melaleuca, occur fairly coni' 
monly amongst tbo spinifex plants. The only tree form is an occasional 
group of mallee of which two si^ecies arc present. One of these is Eucalyptus 
pyriformis, but the other coiiM not be found in either dower or fruit and 
was not identified. (See Transec't T.) 
When seen in August the aca(*ia carried a few flowers, and the spinifex 
a few seed-heads, tliough there was practically no jiew growth. The ephomorals 
were almost completely absent. 
Where the pure spinifex merges into the mulga (flood plain association), 
the Acacia and mallee stop abruptly, but the spinifex mingles with the 
mulga formation for some distance. The plants of this transition zone, both 
the mulga and the spinifex, appear to be in bettor general condition than those 
in the purer associations. 
ECOLOGICAL TRAXiSEC'TS. 
Method. — The first transect was of the line type and ran for 200 yards. 
The remainder were strips 200 yards long by 24 feet ^^'ide, and were worked in 
squares of 24 feet sides. Soil depth was, in most cases, tested every 24 yards, 
i.e., every third square. The distance from the surfacf? to the siliceous hardpan 
was measured by a post hole auger. It was necessary to use water to soften 
the simbaked loam so no deep samples could be taken. Surface samples 
were obtained, however, and these have alreadv beim piiblishcHl (Teakle, 
1938). 
Transect /. 
On spinifex sandplain north of Mount Morgans. This transect was of the 
line type. The following plants weii'. encountered in 200 yards ; — 
Triodia Basedoivii (spinifex) .... .... .... .... 103 
Acacia brachystachya, .... .... .... .... .... 54 
Melaleuca sp .... .... .... .... .... 2 
Eucalyptus pyriforrnis (mallee) .... .... .... 2 
Transect II. 
The transect ran from a sandy wandarrie ridge across the ('dge of a clay- 
pan. The first hundred yards ^vas marked by the number of saltbush j>lants. 
The rest of the trans(T*t was strongly influenced by the elaypan. 
1st 100 2ml 100 
Acaciri aneura. (iMulga) ; 
yards. 
yards. 
M(Hhum-Jeaved tree 
5 
1 
Short -leaved pine typo 
0 
0 
Dead tree.s 
1 
17 
Atriplex hymenotheca (saltbush) .... 
30 
4 
Waiiflarrio grass (dormant) 
31 
0 
Ercufophila leucophylla (poverty bush) 
3 
0 
Ehagodia sp. 
2 
1 
Kochia sediiolia> (bluebush) 
0 
3 
Koch in irillosa (glabrous type) .... 
0 
1 
D{>a(l shrubs 
3 
30 
