THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 925 
underground stem, and assemblage in masses, are powerful 
aids to the plant in its resistance to tidal invasion. On first 
acquaintance one would hardly suspect such a degenerate of 
belonging to the Convolvulacea and claiming relationship 
to the ‘Morning Glory” (Zpomeu purpurea, Roth.) and the 
noble array of bold brilliant climbers which largely constitutes 
the membership of that Nat. Ord. j 
Eriostemon myoporoides, D.C.—A shrub which deserves 
a larger representation in our gardens than it is accorded. 
It is a shapely bush of from 3 to 6 feet, and in the flowering 
season literally covers itself with a wealth of pink and white 
‘blossoms, similar to those of its smaller and better-known 
coastal congeners, 4. bwxifolius (which loves the tang of the 
salt breeze), and #. scaber, usually found a little further 
inland. The nearest patch of #. myoporoides known to the 
writer is at Emu Plains. The shrubs flower early in October, 
and wishing to collect seeds, two months was allowed for 
their ripening. This proved rather early, but a few appar- 
ently unripe seeds were collected, and sown. A week later a . 
second visit was paid, but during that short period all the 
fruit carpels had ripened and burst (the fruits of this genus 
belong to the explosive group) scattering the seeds. These 
appear to be the favorite food of some member of the animal 
kingdom, as less than a dozen seeds were the reward of a 
couple of hours search, though some millions had been shed. 
Fortunately the supposed unripe seeds germinated, and it 
was afterwards found that they gave better results if col- 
lected just as they commence to color, or in any case before 
the varnished testa becomes quite black. The seedlings are 
hardy and give little trouble in transplanting. Allan Cun- 
ningham found plants of this species growing near Cox’s River 
and forwarded seeds to Kew, where plants were grown and 
flowered about 1823. It was named /#. cuspidatum by Cun- 
ningham, who of course was not aware that it had beeh 
published a year previously by De Candolle under its present 
name. 
JEW’S-EAR FUNGUS. 
(HIRNEOLA POLYTRICHA, MORT). 
By. Edwin Cheel. 
The fungus commonly known as ‘‘Jew’s-ear Fungus’’ is 
fairly common in the coastal districts of New South Wales, 
but it is not generally known that it is of commercial value. 
In the Sydney Botanic Gardens and in the Government 
Domains as well as the Parks and Gardens in the Suburban 
Districts, it is frequently found in fairly large clumps on the 
dead branches of (cus macrophylla, Hrythrina indica and 
occasionally on other species of plants. Mn: 
Tt is also quite common in New Zealand, Lord Howe 
and Norfolk Islands, and from these places, especially from 
