ON THE FLORA OF AUSTRALIA. 
87 
in point of numbers the Leguminosae come far ahead, and 
represent about 12 per cent, of the flora. 
The Acacias, numbering some 800 odd species, make up 
by far the largest Australian genus. The golden and delicately 
fragrant blossoms of many of these species are amongst the first 
to proclaim the advent of spring. They are represented almost 
everywhere in the continent. Some line the banks, and the 
graceful pendulous branches of some varieties droop over the 
waters of many of our inland streams. They clothe the moun¬ 
tain-side, adorn the pastures, grow in the poorest or in the most 
fertile soil, while some species revel in sandy tracts either inland 
or littoral. In some of our dense southern forests they form a 
large proportion of the undergrowth. Even in the arid and 
desolate interior they are represented, and form in some cases an 
almost impenetrable scrub that well-nigh baffles the hardy and 
daring explorer in his toilsome advance through those dreary 
and inhospitable solitudes. From this circumstance some have 
earned the names of “ deadfinish ” and “ wait-a-while.” These 
local names have been doubtless bestowed on them by travellers 
who have experienced a disappointing repulse in their onward 
march by an impassable barrier of the dense growth. Strictly 
speaking many species have no true leaves, but are amply 
provided with phyllodia. 
Acacias are not without utilitarian value. Several yield a 
bark exceedingly rich in tannin, e.g. A. decurrens, A. mollissima, 
while the “ Golden Wattle ” {A. pycnantha), besides being so 
attractive to the senses of sight and smell, yields one of the 
richest barks for tanning purposes in the world. The gum, 
which is very copiously exuded by several kinds, is used for the 
same purposes as Gum Arabic. The delicate perfume of the 
blossoms has been extracted, and furnishes an agreeable scent. 
Several species, as A. pravissima, A. cultriformis, and others, 
possess considerable horticultural merit, and are extensively 
planted. 
The timber of the “Blackwood” or “Liglitwood” (A. 
melanoxylon) is one of our most . valuable, and is used in 
cabinet work, railway-carriage fittings, and for similar purposes. 
A. acuminata produces wood whose scent resembles that of 
raspberries, while the timber of A. homalophylla is violet-scented. 
Both these species are known as “ Myall.” 
