95 
Botanical Name. Acacia, already explained (see Part XV, p. 104) ; neriifolia 
Latin Nerium, an Oleander, and folium, a leaf Oleander-leaved. Early in the nine- 
teenth century it was a very common practice for botanists describing Australian plants 
to name them after some macroscopic character of plants, wild or cultivated, well 
known in Europe. Thus ericifolia was a very common specific name for plants whose 
leaves reminded them of Erica, a genus largely cultivated then. No one can be surprised 
at Cunningham's name of neriifolia. The leaf (phyllode) varies in width, but the 
general similarity of it, especially in the mass, to an Oleander leaf, has often struck me 
when standing before this Australian wattle. This similarity has often enabled one to 
recognise it when flowers and fruit are absent. As there is so much appropriateness in 
it, and I have not noticed any other Wattle with a similar character, I have recommended 
use of the name " Oleander-leaved Wattle." 
Vernacular Name. Often 'called "Silver Wattle," because of the silvery 
sheen of the foliage, but I know no name more commonly applied to Wattles than Silver 
Wattle. It is called " Black Wattle " in northern New England (N.S.W.) and Stan- 
thorpe (Queensland) because of the dark cast of the trunk and branches of old specimens, 
but there are scores of other Black Wattles. It has also been sent in as " Bastard 
Yarran," which simply means that it is not Yarran, but they do not know what else to 
call it. 
I recommend the descriptive and unappropriated name of " Oleander-leaved 
Wattle" for it. 
Leaves (Phyllodes). Not only have the leaves a charming silvery sheen, 
owing to short white, silky hairs, but the young foliage, the rhachises, and the young 
heads of flowers are decorative with a golden pubescence. 
Bark. The following analysis of the bark is given by the Queensland Com- 
missioners, Colonial and Indian Exhibition, 1886 : Tannin, 13-91 per cent.; extract, 
17-87 per cent. [sic]. Common around Stanthorpe, Q. (F. M. Bailey and J. L. Boorman), 
where it is known locally as " Black Wattle," and used for tanning purposes. I believe 
the analysis quoted was made on Stanthorpe bark, and that its economic use is strictly 
local. 
Timber. The duramen is of a light-yellow colour, the rest is of a darker colour. 
It is prettily marked, close-grained, and tough. It is of no economic importance, so 
far as I am aware. 
SJze. Usually a graceful erect or semi-pendulous shrub. I have seen it. a small 
tree of about 20 feet, and Mr. Cambage has seen it up to 30 feet. It is, however, not 
a timber producer. 

Habitat. It is confined to New South Wales and Queensland so far as we 
know for certain at present, but the fact that it appears to attain its greatest size as far west 
as the Nymagee district points to its vigour in that district, and consequently to its likely 
