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RICHEA PANDANIFOLIA. 
This new and highly interesting species of Epacrideous plant is 
found in the dense humid forests skirting the margin of Lake 
St. Clair, and in the tract of country extending from thence to 
Macquarie Harbour. It rises to a height of upwards of 30 feet. 
I measured one 36j feet high without a branch, the trunk 21 
inches in circumference at the butt, and 12 inches in circumfe¬ 
rence at 28 feet up. Another was 28 feet high also without a 
branch, and 42 inches in circumference at the base; and many 
others equally large grew all around. The whole appearance of 
the plant was remarkably like one of the Monocotyledones, a 
resemblance supported by the palm-like mode of growth, the 
character of the leaves, &c.; so that I hardly wonder at the 
celebrated botanist, La Billardiere, describing the Dracophyllum 
verticillatum (which is a closely-allied plant) as Monocotyledo- 
nous. The trunks are invariably gently curved like those of some 
palms, caused by the weight of the large head of leaves, which 
occupies 3 to 6 feet of the top. The dead leaves of some seasons’ 
growth usually retain their hold and hang pendant, as shown in 
the annexed sketch. Although there is commonly but one head, 
yet occasionally two or more branches spring out; and in one 
case, where the leading shoot had been injured, 20 to 30 branches 
spread out in all directions, so as to make it more closely resemble 
the species of Richea on the side of Mount Wellington, near 
Hobart Town. The flowers are small, of a pinkish-white colour, 
and grow in the axils of the leaves. The leaves are 3 to 5 feet 
long. 
The accompanying sketch, made by James Grant, Esq., of 
Launceston, from a small individual 12 to 15 feet high, will give 
an excellent idea of the general aspect of the plant. 
Ronald C. Gunn. 
