90 
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
attain with us the proportions of trees, which is not common in 
this order. Included among the Composite are very many 
beautiful everlastings which here, as elsewhere, are of wide 
distribution. Western Australia is specially rich in exquisite 
examples of these deservedly popular flowers. The genus 
Helichrysum contains some three score species, many of them 
of more than ordinary beauty. The allied genus Helipterum 
includes about forty species. Asters—many of them strong¬ 
growing shrubs—are rather more numerous than any other 
genus in this order, which, though one of the most extensive in 
the world, is fourth with us as regards the number of species. 
The native Daisies ( Brachycome spp.) have representatives all 
over the colonies, including New Zealand; but the genus 
does not seem to extend beyond these limits. Among its two 
score species are many dainty, attractive, and meritorious 
plants. 
Grasses are represented by a goodly number of species, 
though exceeded by the Cyperacece. Extensive areas in the 
uninhabited interior produce little else but a so-called “ Spinifex ” 
(Triodia irritans), which is spiny and utterly useless as fodder. 
Its sharp spines caused considerable irritation to the legs of the 
unfortunate beasts of burden in all the exploring expeditions 
that crossed any extent of it. It affords shelter to a few native 
animals and reptiles which form the scanty food of the few 
nomadic and indolent natives who traverse occasionally these 
dreary regions. They burn the grass, and thus drive out their 
intended prey. The “ Kangaroo Grass ” (Anthistiria ciliata), or, 
as it should be called by priority, Themeda triandra (Anthi¬ 
stiria Forskdlii), is a splendid fodder plant. It resists the 
drought to which the continent is subject, and springs up into 
growth immediately after rain. “ Grass-trees ” are common in 
many parts. The leaves are long and wiry, and the white bases 
of the young inner leaves are edible and of a nutlike flavour. 
The flower spikes that surmount the tufts of leaves are 
frequently several feet in height. Grass-trees (Xanthorrhosa spp.) 
are not grasses, but are allied to the Lilies, and were included 
among the Liliacecz by our late distinguished Government 
Botanist. Of liliaceous plants we have many varieties. A 
number are small but none the less beautiful. Grass-lilies of 
brilliant hues adorn the pastures. The “ Fringe-lilies ” 
