92 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. II, No. a 
On November 20, in traveling along Robinsons Creek in latitude about 
25 0 30' S., he notes (Leichhardt, 1847, p. 43) that: 
* * * the country began to rise into irregular scrubby ridges; the scrub generally 
composed of Vitex intermingled with various forest trees. The small orange-tree, 
which we had found in blossom at the Condamine, was setting its fruit. 
The last mention of the plant was made on December 24, while the 
party was in the region between the Expedition and Christmas Ranges, 
latitude 24 0 30' to 45' S. On that day Leichhardt (1847, p. 83) observed: 
Here we passed an extensive Myal forest, the finest I had seen, covering the hilly and 
undulating country, interspersed with groves of the native lemon tree; a few of which 
were still sufficiently in fruit to afford us some refreshment. 
On the night of December 14-15, when in the same country, only a few 
miles away, cold weather was encountered, of which Leichhardt wrote 
(1847, p. 75): 
The night was extremely cold, notwithstanding we were encamped under the shelter 
of trees: and it was therefore evident that we were at a considerable elevation above 
the level of the sea. 
The next account of this species is by Lieut. Col. Mitchell (1848, pp. 188, 
209, 221, 231, 353, 434, and maps). This plant was discovered on Octo¬ 
ber 17, 1846, not far from his camp, No. 32, near the juncture of the 
Maranoa and Merevale Rivers, in the southern part of Queensland, lati¬ 
tude 26° S. 1 The drouthy character of the climate is evident from 
Mitchell's remark (1848, p. 353) that: 
We had this day passed over a fine open forest country, in which were also groves 
of the Acacia pendula. The vegetation, in general, seemed drooping, from the want of 
rain; but the whole was available for grazing purposes. 
Among the interesting plants collected was the one in question, of 
which Mitchell (1848, p. 353) wrote: 
A small fruit, with the fragrance of an orange, proved to be a new species of 
Triphasia. f 
tr. glauca (Lindl. MS.); spinosa, foliis coriaceis integerrimis crenatisque linearibus 
glaucis obtusis retusisque, floribus trimeris dodecandris 2~3nis brevi-pedicellatis. 
The footnote inserted at this point is the original botanical description 
of the plant. 
This plant was found on the return trip to the south, but the expedi¬ 
tion had passed through this same region on the way north during June 
and July (midwinter in that latitude), and the observations made at that 
time showed the climate to be decidedly cold for a country so near the 
Tropics. On June 24 Col. Mitchell stated that “the hoar frost had 
stiffened the grass and the water was frozen so that the horses cared not 
to drink.” The temperature was 17 0 E. at 4 a. m. and 21 0 F. at sunrise. 
At this date his party was in the vicinity of Mount Owen, only about 45 
miles north-northwest of camp No. 32. On July 2, at camp No. 41, in 
the valley of the Warrego River (latitude 25 0 S., longitude 147 0 30" E.) 
This locality is not tar trom the present village ot Forestvale in Dublin County. 
