41 
We will now discuss the several varieties:— 
(a) The typical form. The var. normalis of Bentliam. 
(b) Var. mollis, Lindl. (A. mollissima , Willd.). 
(c) Var. pauciglandulosa, P.v.M. 
(cl) Var. Leichhardtii, Benth. ( A . Arundelliana, Bailey). 
(e) Var. dealbata, B.v.M. (A. dealbata, Link.). 
(f) Var. lanigera, Maiden. 
The number of varieties of A. decurrens is very great. I have just given the 
names of six forms, and under some of the varieties I will give abundant evidence 
of their instability. Mr. R. T. Baker has named a variety Deanei,* hut I cannot 
find that it differs from var. mollis in any important character; while two forms from 
the Dorrigo district, that I named provisionally years ago,f are too close to variety 
pauciglandulosa to be usefully separated from it. They are :—- 
Acacia decurrens, Willd., var. A.—Guy Fawkes to Wollomombi.—Found on the summit of the 
Round Mountain. A variety new to me, and intermediate between mollis and Leichhardtii. It is 
remarkable for tbe excessive fineness and shortness of the pinnules, in which it approaches pauciglandidosa. 
It is hardly so soft as mollis , but has the yellow tinge to the young shoots so often seen in that variety. 
It is, however, chiefly to be noted because of the glands. They are small, urceolate, and unusually 
symmetrical in proportion. I have not hitherto noticed similar glands on any form of Acacia decurrens. 
Acacia decurrens , Willd., var. B.—This wattle was first seen about Bostobrick, and thence to 
Tyringham. It is less pubescent than mollis , and has the beautiful golden-yellow tips of that variety. 
Branchlets less prominently winged than those of the variety normalis, but not less than any of the other 
varieties. Pinnae, fifteen to twenty pairs, and more. Leaflets (pinnules), thirty to fifty, as far as seen. 
More distant and longer than those of mollis. Obtuse, and as long as those of some forms of normalis. 
Glands .—One (a prominent) gland at the base of the lowest pair of pinnules. There appear to be 
no glands on the main rhachis, except a few towards the tip. A striking feature of this variety is the great 
length and rigidity (erect or “ strict ” growth) of the general or primary rhachis. The position of this 
variety appears to be between normalis and mollis. I have given no distinctive names to these two varieties, 
as I am disinclined to add to the already cumbersome list of varieties. I find more and more evidence of 
the infinite variation of this species (Acacia decurrens ), 
Mr. C. T. Mussonj; writes:— 
Another colour peculiarity is found in a bright yellow or orange strip crossing the angle formed by 
the branches in Acacia decurrens. Here is the spot mostly attacked by borers. Is there toughening tissue 
present ? 
Many of my readers have observed this coloration in A. decurrens. Its 
function is not obvious, and I draw attention to it since it is one of the innumerable 
morphological indications which we are not yet able to interpret, and the key to the 
physiology of such marking may he found by the observant bush-naturalist. It may 
appear to he a little thing; hut the science of botany is built up by “little” 
observations, often by untrained men. 
An interesting study is W. W. Broggatt’s “ Insects of the "Wattle-trees.”§ 
Unfortunately our wattles are very liable to insect pests, hut this causes them to he 
of special interest to entomologists. 
® Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. W., xxi, 348 (1896). t A grit. Gazette, A r . S. W., 1S94, p. GOT. 
X Hawlcesbury Ayric. Coll. Journal, 20tl> August, 1904, p. 3. § Agric. Gazette, July, 1902, p. 701. 
c 
