83. LICMETIS NASICUS.--Long-billed Licmetis.

This cockatoo is very like Cacatua sanguinea in colour and shape. It is

white, with a dirty shade of yellow under the wing. The upper mandibula

is much longer than the lower, overhanging it considerably. This it uses

to grub up roots and other things on which it lives. These cockatoos were

very numerous on the Murray, and are altogether distinct from the genus

to which I have compared them; but their note is very similar, and,

excepting to a naturalist, the difference is difficult to observe. The

skin round the eye of both species is much larger than the cere round

that of the common cockatoo.

84. CALYPTORHYNCHUS FUNEREUS?--Black Cockatoo.

This fine bird was widely distributed over the brushy land of the

interior, but was never seen in any considerable numbers. Its plumage is

black, and the broad feathers in the tail are of a light yellow

underneath. There is a supposition that when these cockatoos fly across

the country uttering their hoarse note, it is a prelude to rain; but

unfortunately I can bear testimony to the contrary, having often seen

them so fly over my head when I would have given my right arm for water.

I am not aware that the Black Cockatoo will survive captivity, I believe

they always pine and die.

85. POLYTELIS MELANURA.--Black-tailed Parroquet.

The Murray Parrot, with a bright yellow body and neck, the feathers at

the back of the neck having a greener tinge. The long feathers of the

wing are of a blue black, as also the tail, but in the wings there are

three or four desultory red feathers. This bird visits the valley of the

Murray in great numbers in the summer months, where its young are taken

in great numbers, and easily tamed in cages. I was unable to make out

where this bird comes from, or the point to which it migrates. Their

place of abode during the winter is entirely unknown. It is a beautiful

and a showy bird, making a noise something like the Green Leak, and was

first shot by me on my return up the river, in 1836.

86. PLATYCERCUS BARNARDII, VIG. AND HORSF. Barnard's Parroquet.

This fine bird is found in the Murray Belt as well as in other

localities, and is thence termed the parrot of the Murray Belt. It is one

of the most beautiful of the parrot tribe, has a generally blue-green

plumage on the back and neck, with a yellow crescent on the breast, and a

purple below. This family are all distinguished by having long tails.

87. PLATYCERCUS ADELAIDIAE, GOULD.--The Adelaide Parroquet.

This fine and beautiful bird is common in South Australia, where it

usurps the place of the Lory (Platycercus penantii) in New South Wales,

and does equal mischief to the stack-yard. Its general plumage is yellow,

but it has a dull red head, and blue cheeks. Its wings and tail, which is

very long, are also blue, the longer feathers being almost black. Its

back is marked with black scollops, and in size exceeds many of the

Platycerei.

88. PSEPHOTUS HAEMATOGASTER, GOULD.--The Crimsonbellied Parroquet.

This Parroquet is a bird of the interior, and was spread over the whole

of it in greater or less numbers. Always numerous where box-trees were

growing in the vicinity of water. The Psephotus haematogaster is

essentially a bird of the central parts of Australia, or else its range

is confined between the 24th and 30th parallels of latitude. It is not a

bird of bright plumage; it is distinguished by a bright crimson belly. It

has likewise feathers of a peculiar bronze and yellow on the wings; the

rest of the plumage being a dull blue green, excepting that over the bill

it has some light blue feathers.

89. PSEPHOTUS HAEMATONOTUS, GOULD.--Red-rumped Parroquet.

This is a bird of the interior, and was found on the most distant creeks,

amongst the gum-trees. It was, however, fond of being on the ground, from

whence it would rise and hide itself on being alarmed. It is a wild bird,

and a noisy one. It colours are generally dull.

90. EUPHEMA ELEGANS.--Grass Parroquet.

This beautiful Euphema is seen in great numbers on the sea-skirts of the

plains of Adelaide, feeding on grass seeds. It was in course of migration

when we were at the Depot in lat. 29 degrees 4 minutes; but after the

other birds, and remained stationary for some time. It was never seen by

us in the day time, but came regularly to water night and morning, when

it was so dark that they could hardly be seen. The plumage of this bird

is very beautiful. Its back and neck are green, as well as the crown of

the head; its wings blue black; the breast and under tail feathers are of

a bright yellow, with a blue and yellow band in the front.

91. EUPHEMA BOURKII.--Bourke's Parroquet.

This elegant little bird was also a visitant at the Depot, and remained

throughout the winter; keeping in the day time in the barren brushes

behind the camp, and coming only to water. The approach of this little

bird was intimated by a sharp cutting noise in passing rapidly through

the air, when it was so dark that no object could be seen distinctly; and

they frequently struck against the tent cords in consequence. This

Euphema has a general dark plumage, but with a beautifully delicate

rose-pink shade over the breast and head, by which it will always be

distinguished.

92. MELOPSITTACUS UNDULATUS.--Warbling Grass Parroquet.

Called "Bidgerigung" by the natives. This beautiful little Euphema visits

South Australia about the end of August or the beginning of September,

and remains until some time after the breeding season. It is perhaps the

most numerous of the summer birds. I remember, in 1838, being at the head

of St. Vincent's Gulf, early in September, and seeing flights of these

birds, and Nymphicus Novoe-Holl. following each other in numbers of from

50 to 100 along the coast line, like starlings following a line of coast.

They came directly from the north, and all kept the same straight line,

or in each other's wake. Both birds subsequently disperse over the

province. The plumage of this bird is a bright yellow, scolloped black,

and three or four beautiful deep blue spots over each side the cheek.

93. NYMPHICUS NOVAE-HOLLANDIAE.--The Crested Parroquet.

One of the most graceful of the parrot tribe, coming in, as I have stated

above, with the Melopsittacus, and remaining during the summer. The

general plumage is grey, with a white band across the wings. It has also

a sulphuryellow patch on the cheek, in the centre of which is one of

scarlet. It has also a long, hairy crest, which it keeps generally

erected. Both birds passed the Depot in migrating, and Nymphicus was the

last bird we saw to the north of the Stony Desert, in lat. 24 1/2 degrees

and long. 138 degrees, on its return to the province in September.

94. TRICHOLOSSUS PORPHYROCEPHALUS, DIET.--Porphyry-crowned Parroquet.

This pretty bird has a green plumage, but is distinguished by a deep blue

patch on the crown of the head; from which it derives its name.

95. PEZOPORUS FORMOSUS.--The Ground Parrot.

This bird was only twice seen in the interior, but on both occasions in

the same scrubby and salty country it is known to frequent in New South

Wales and other places. A specimen was shot by Mr. Stuart, in the bed of

a salt lagoon in 26 1/2 degrees of latitude, and 14 1/2 degrees of

longitude, but none of these birds were seen to the west of that point.

It has dark green plumage mottled with black, and has a patch of dull red

over the bill.

96. PHAPS CHALCOPTERA.--Common Bronze-wing.

This fine pigeon, so well known in the located parts of the continent,

was also generally spread over the interior. Its habits are peculiar,

insomuch that it goes to water at so late an hour that it is almost

impossible to see them. They were rather numerous at the Depot, but very

few were shot there. In the more distant interior, when we should

frequently have been glad of one of these birds to give a relish to our

monotonous diet, they were equally as difficult to be shot, and although

we sat at the edge of any pond near which we happened to be, and watched

with noiseless anxiety, they would get to the water, and the sharp flap

of their wings in rising, alone told us we had missed our game. The

natives of the Murray set nets across any gully down which they fly to

water on the banks of the Murray, and so catch them in great numbers. The

Bronze-wing is strong in his flight, and is a plump bird, and capital to

eat. Its general colour is brown lightly mottled, it has a dirty-white

crown, and the wing feathers are a beautiful bronze.

97. PHAPS ELEGANS.--Small Brush Bronze-wing.

This is much smaller than the above, and not so common. It inhabits close

brushes, and is flushed like a woodcock, there seldom being more than two

together. Its plumage is darker than Phaps chalcoptera, nor is there any

white about it except on the crown of the head, the secondary wing

feathers being of a bronze colour, without any shade of blue and green,

so prominent in the first described of these birds.

98. PHAPS HISTRIONICA, GOULD.--The Harlequin Bronze-wing.

This beautiful pigeon is an inhabitant of the interior. Its range was

between the parallels of 31 1/2 degrees and 26 degrees, but it was never

seen to the south of Stanley's Barrier Range, if I except a solitary

wanderer on the banks of the Murray. These birds lay their eggs in

February, depositing them under any low bush in the middle of open

plains. In the end of March and the beginning of April, they collect in

large flats and live on the seed of the rice-grass, which the natives

also collect for food. During the short period this harvest lasts, the

flavour of these pigeons is most delicious, but at other times it is

indifferent. They feed on the open plains, and come to water at sunset,

but like the Bronze-wing only wet the bill. It is astonishing indeed that

so small a quantity as a bare mouthful should be sufficient to quench

their thirst in the burning deserts they inhabit. They left us in the

beginning of May, and I think migrated to the N.E., for the farther we

went to the westward the fewer did we see of them. This bird has a white

and black head, the crown being white, and its back is a rusty brown, the

long feathers of the wings of a slate colour, with a white spot at the

end of each as well as at the end of the tail feathers; the belly being a

beautiful deep slate colour. See page 83, vol. II.

99. GEOPHAPS PLUMIFERA, GOULD.

It was on the return of the party from the eastern extremity of Cooper's

Creek, that we first saw and procured specimens of this beautiful little

bird. Its locality was entirely confined to about thirty miles along the

banks of that creek, and it was generally noticed perched on some rock

fully exposed to the sun's rays, and evidently taking a pleasure in

basking in the tremendous heat. It was very wild and took wing on hearing

the least noise, but its flight was short and rapid like that of a quail,

which bird it resembles in many of its habits. In the afternoon this

little pigeon was seen running in the grass on the creek side, and could

hardly be distinguished from a quail. It never perched on the trees, but

when it dropped after rising from the ground, could seldom be flushed

again, but ran with such speed through the grass as to elude our search.

The plate, to which I may refer the reader at page 83, vol. II. in which

he will see it figured, will supersede the necessity of any description.

The Geophaps plumifera was found, I believe, in considerable numbers on

the Lind and the Burdekin by Doctor Leichhardt, during his journey from

Moreton Bay to Port Essington.

100. OCYPHAPS LOPHOTES.--Crested Pigeon of the Marshes.

The locality of this beautiful pigeon is always near water. It is a bird

of the depresed interior, never ascending to higher land where there are

extensive marshes covered with the polygonum geranium. In river valleys,

on the flats of which the same bramble grows, the Ocyphaps lophotes is

sure to be found. It was first seen by me on the banks of the Macquarie,

in lat. 31 degrees during my expedition to the Darling, but there is no

part of the interior over which I have subsequently travelled where it is

not, and it is very evident that its range is right across the continent

from north to south. The general colour of this bird is a light purple or

slate colour, and its form and plumage are both much more delicate than

that of the Bronze-wing, but it is by no means so fine a bird, its flesh

being neither tender nor well-flavoured.

This bird is figured in my former work, page 79, vol. I. It has a crest,

and is marked on the back and wings very similar to Geophaps plumiferus.

This bird builds in low shrubs in exposed situations, and lays two eggs

on so few twigs that it is only surprising how they remain together.

101. GEOPELIA CUNEATA.--Speckled Dove.

All that we read or imagine of the softness and innocence of the dove is

realised in this beautiful and delicate little bird. It is very small and

has a general purple plumage approaching to lilac. It has a bright red

skin round the eyes, the iris being also red, and its wings are speckled

over with delicate white spots. This sweet bird is common on the Murray

and the Darling, and was met with in various parts of the interior, but I

do not think that it migrates to the N.W. Two remained with us at the

Depot in latitude 39 degrees 40 minutes, longitude 142 degrees,

during a greater part of the winter, and on one occasion roosted

on my tent ropes near a fire. The note of this dove is exceedingly

plaintive, and is softer, but much resembles the coo of the turtle-dove.

102. GEOPELIA TRANQUILLA, GOULD.--Ventriloquist Dove.

This bird, somewhat larger than the preceding, is not by any means so

delicate in appearance. The colour of its plumage is similar in some

respects, but has close black scollops on the breast and neck without any

spots on the wings. This bird also frequents the banks of the Darling and

the Murray, but is not so common as Geopelia cuneata. I first heard it on

the marshes of the Macquarie, but could not see it. The fact is that it

has the power of throwing its voice to a distance, and I mistook it for

some time for the note of a large bird on the plains, and sent a man more

than once with a gun to shoot it, without success. At last, as Mr. Hume

and I were one day sitting under a tree on the Bogan creek, between the

Macquarie and the Darling, we heard the note, and I sent my man Fraser to

try once more if he could discover what bird it was, when on looking up

into the tree under which we were sitting we saw one of these little

doves, and ascertained from the movement of its throat that the sound

proceeded from it, although it still fell on our ears as if it had been

some large bird upon the plain. I have therefore taken upon me to call it

the "Ventriloquist."

103. PEDIONOMUS TORQUATUS, GOULD.--The plain Wanderer.

This singular bird, in plumage and habit so like the Quail, was first

discovered on the plains of Adelaide by Mr. Gould, where it appeared in

considerable numbers in the year 1839-40. It was afterwards procured by a

persevering collector in that colony, Mr. Strange, who is now in Sydney.

Although in many respects resembling a Quail, this bird has long legs

like a Bustard, but has a hind toe which that bird has not. We fell in

with several in the N.W. interior, but they were all solitary birds. How

far therefore we might conclude that they migrate northwards may be

doubtful, although, it is impossible to suppose they would proceed in any

other direction. The Pedionomus is a stupid little bird, and is more

frequently caught by the dog than shot. Its general colour is a light

brown, speckled with black like a quail. Its neck is white, spotted

thickly with black, and has a white iris.

104. HEMIPODIUS VARIUS.--Varied Quail.

This bird is the prettiest of its tribe, and is very common in many of

the located parts of south-eastern Australia, but is not a bird of the

interior, and was not observed beyond the flats of the Darling, where it

was occasionally flushed from amongst the long grass.

105. COTURNIX PECTORALIS.--Quail.

This bird is very common on the better description of plains in South

Australia, and two or three specimens were shot during the early progress

of the Expedition, but it was not seen to the north of Stanley's Range.

It is to be observed, indeed, that few quails of any kind were seen in

the interior. This variety is a very pretty bird, with bright brown

plumage, mottled like that of the ordinary quail, and is characterized by

a black spot on the breast.

106. SYNOICUS AUSTRALIS.--Swamp Quail, or Partridge.

Synoicus Australis is a smaller bird than those just described, but the

colour of the plumage is much the same. It is generally found in marshes,

or marshy ground, and frequently in bevies.

107. SYNOICUS CHINENSIS.

This beautiful little quail is generally found in marshes, or in high

rushy ground. It is not a common bird. In size this quail is not larger

than a young guinea fowl that has just broken the shell. It has dark

plumage on the back and head--a deep purple breast and belly, and a white

horse-shoe on the upper part of the neck. The female has general dark

plumage, speckled black.

108. DROMAIUS NOVAE-HOLLANDIAE.--The Emu.

This noble bird ranges over the whole of the continent, although we did

not see any to the north of the Stony Desert. A good many were killed by

the dogs at Fort Grey. They travel many miles during a single night to

water, as was proved by a pack of thirteen coming down to the Depot Creek

to drink, that we had seen the evening before more than 12 miles to the

north. Those we saw in the distant interior did not differ from the

common emu.

109. OTIS AUSTRALASIANUS.--The Bustard.

This fine and erectly walking bird is also common over the whole of the

interior, migrating from the north in September and October. Several

flights of these birds were seen by us thus migrating southwards in

August, passing over our heads at a considerable elevation, as if they

intended to be long on the wing. I have known this Otis weigh 28lbs. Its

flesh is dark and varied in shade. The flavour is game and the meat is

tender.

110. LOBIVANELLUS LOBATUS.--The wattled Peewit.

This bird is most abundant over all south-east Australia, on plains,

marshes, and rivers, its cry and flight are very like that of our Peewit

at home, and it adopts the same stratagem to draw the fowler from its

young. It is a pretty bird, with bright yellow eye and a singular wattle

coming from the bill along the cheek. It is also remarkable for a spur on

the shoulder which it uses with much force in fighting with any crow or

hawk.

111. EDICNEMUS GRALLARIUS.--The southern stone Plover.

There are few parts in the located districts of Australia in which this

bird is not to be found. Its peculiar and melancholy cry, ran through the

silence of the desert itself, and wherever rocks occurred near water they

were also seen but not in any number. We caught a fine young bird at

Flood's Creek, but as it was impossible to keep it, we let it go. This

bird very much resembles the stone Plover of England, but there are some

slight differences of plumage.

112. SARCIOPHORUS PECTORALIS.--Black-breasted Dottrel.

This bird is remarkable for a small red wattle protruding from the bill,

with a grey back and wings. It takes its name from its black breast.

113. EUDROMIAS AUSTRALIS, GOULD.--Aust. Dottrel.

This singular bird like several others of different genera, made its

appearance in 1841 suddenly on the plains of Adelaide, seeming to have

come from the north. It occupied the sand hills at the edge of the

Mangrove swamps and fed round the puddles of water on the plains. This

bird afforded my friend Mr. Torrens, an abundant harvest, as they were

numerous round his house, but although some few have visited South

Australia every year, they have never appeared in such numbers as on the

first occasion. The plumage is a reddish brown, with a dark horseshoe on

the breast. It has a full eye, and runs very fast along the ground, Mr.

Browne and I met or rather crossed several flights of these birds in

August of 1845, going south. They were in very large open plains and were

very wild.

114. HIATICULA NIGRIFRONS.--Black-fronted Dotrell.

Much smaller than the preceding. A pretty little bird with a plaintive

note, generally seen in pairs on the edge of muddy lagoons. Its plumage

is a mixture of black, white, and brown, the first colour predominating

on the head and breast. It runs with great swiftness, but delights more

in flying from one side of a pond to the other.

115. CHLADORHYNCHUS PECTORALIS.--The Banded Stilt.

This singular bird, with legs so admirably adapted by their length for

wading into the shallow lakes and sheets of water, near which it is

found, is in large flocks in the interior. It was in great numbers on

Lepson's Lake to the northward of Cooper's Creek, and on Strzelecki's

Creek was sitting on the water with other wild fowl making a singular

plaintive whistle. It is semipalmated, has black wings, and a band of

brown on the breast, but it is otherwise white. Its bill is long,

straight and slender, and its legs are naked for more than an inch and

half above the knee.

116. HIMANTOPUS LEUCOCEPHALUS, GOULD.--The white-headed Stilt.

The present bird is about the size of Chladorhynchus pectoralis, and in

plumage is nearly the same. This bird was not found in the distant

interior but in the shallow basin and round the salt lagoons of Lake

Torrens.

117. SCHOENICLUS AUSTRALIS.--Australian Sand-piper.

A bird very much resembling the British Dunlin. General plumage, grey

with a white breast. A quick runner, and fond of low damp situations as

well as open plains. Common on the banks of all rivers and lagoons.

118. SCOLOPAX AUSTRALIS, LATH.--Snipe.

Considerably larger than the Snipe of England. Common in South Australia

but very scarce in the interior. In the valley of the Mypunga there are

great numbers of snipe which build there, but it is only in such

localities, where the ground is constantly soft that they are to be

found. Their flesh is delicate and their flavour good.

119. RHYNCHAEA AUSTRALIS, GOULD.--Painted Snipe.

This beautiful bird was also very scarce in the interior, having been

seen only on one occasion. It is not a common bird indeed any where. Some

three or four couple visit my residence at Grange yearly, and remain in

the high reeds at the bottom of the creek. As they are with us during the

summer they doubtless build, but we never found one of their nests. They

lay basking in the shade of a tree on the sand hills during the day, and

separate when alarmed. It is full as large as Scolopax Australis, but its

plumage is black-banded on the back with a general shade of green. Its

head is black and brown. It has a black horse-shoe on the breast, the

belly being white, and the quill feathers are grey with a small brown

spot on each.

120. GRUS AUSTRALASIANUS.--Crane, or Native Companion.

This large sized Crane is common near the waters of the interior, but he

is a wary bird, and seldom lets the fowler within shot. When seen in

companies they often stand in a row, as they fly in a line like wild

fowl. Their general plumage is slate colour, but they have a red ceres or

skin on the head. One of these birds was tame in the Government domain at

Paramatta in 1829, and a goose used daily to visit it and remain with it

for many hours. I have frequently seen them together, and the goose has

allowed me to approach quite close before he flew. At last I suppose the

poor bird was shot, as he suddenly ceased to visit his friend, and the

Native Companion died some little time afterwards.

121. HERODIAS SERMATOPHORUS, GOULD.--White Heron.

This beautiful Heron is common all over the inhabited parts of the

Australian Continent, and is seen at a great distance in consequence of

its snow-white plumage. It was not however seen in the interior, although

it was frequently seen on the line both of the Darling and the Murray.

122. NYCTICORAX CALEDONICUS.--Nankeen Bird.

A Night Heron with a nankeen-coloured back and wings, and white breast,

with a black crown to the head from which three long fine white feathers

project. It is altogether a bird frequenting water, building in trees as

the Heron does. It is about the size of a well grown young fowl, but is

not good eating.

123. BOTAURUS AUSTRALIS.--The Bittern.

Is well known with its dark brown mottled plumage and hoarse croaking

note. These birds are very numerous in the reedy flats of the Murray,

whence they call to one another like bull frogs. It is a higher bird than

the above, with a ruff down the neck, which behind is naked. He has a

fine bright eye, and darts with his bill with astonishing rapidity and

force.

124. BOTAURUS FLAVICOLLIS.--Spotted Bittern.

This bird was very numerous at the Depot Creek, remaining during the day

in the trees in the glen. There was, as the reader may recollect, a long

sheet of water at the termination of the Depot Creek distant about thirty

miles. It was the habit of these birds to fly from the glen across the

plains to this lower water, where they remained until dawn, when they

announced their return to us by a croaking note as they approached the

trees. They collected in the glen about the end of April, and left us,

but, I am not certain to what quarter they passed, although I believe it

was to the north-west, the direction taken by all the aquatic birds. This

bird had a black body, and white neck with a light shade of yellow, and

speckled black.

125. PORPHYRIO MELANOTUS, TEMM.--The black-backed Porphyrio.

This bird is very common on the Murray, where birds of the same kinds

have such extensive patches of reeds in which to hide themselves.

Although dark on the back their general plumage is a fine blue, and their

bills and legs are a deep red as well as the fleshy patch on the front of

the crown. It was not seen by us to the westward of the Barrier Range,

nor is it an inhabitant of any of the creeks we passed to the N.W. This

Coote is of tolerable size, but is not fit to eat, its flesh being hard,

and the taste strong.

126. TRIBONYX VENTRALIS, GOULD.--The black-tailed Tribonyx.

This bird, like the Eudromias Australis or Australian Dottrel appeared

suddenly in South Australia in 1840. It came by the successive creeks

from the north, fresh flights coming up to push those which had preceded

them on. It was moreover evident that they had been unaccustomed to the

sight of man, as they dropped in great numbers in the streets and gardens

of Adelaide, and ran about like fowls. At last they increased so much in

numbers as to swarm on all the waters and creeks, doing an infinity of

damage to the crops in the neighbourhood. They took the entire possession

of the creek near my house, and broke down and wholly destroyed about an

acre and a quarter of wheat as if cattle had bedded on it. These birds

made their first appearance in November, and left us in the beginning of

March, gradually retiring northwards as they had advanced.

The plumage of this bird is a dark dusky green, and it has a short black

tail which it cocks up in running. Its bill is green and red, and it has

all the motions and habits of a water rail, and although it has visited

the province annually, since its first visit, it has never appeared in

such vast numbers as on the first occasion.

The line on which this bird migrates seems to be due north. It was never

seen at the Depot or on any of the creeks to the west excepting

Strzelecki's Creek, and a creek we crossed on our way to Lake Torrens,

when on both occasions they were migrating southwards.

127. RALLUS PECTORALIS, CUVIER.--Water Rail.

This bird could hardly be distinguished from the English rail in shape

and plumage. It is admirably adapted for making its way through reeds or

grass, from its sharp breast. There are numbers of this rail on the

Murray, but not many on the Darling; the natives can easily run it down.

It was seen on two or three ponds in the interior and must have

considerable powers of flight to wing its way from the one to the other

as they successively dry up.

128. BERNICLA JUBATA.--Mained Goose, wood Duck.

There are two varieties of this beautiful goose, one bird being

considerably larger than the other, but precisely the same in plumage. In

the colony they are called the wood duck, as they rest on logs and

branches of trees, and are often in the depth of the forest. They have an

exceedingly small bill characteristic of their genus, and a beautifully

mottled neck and breast, the head and neck being a light brown. The

smaller species is very common all over South-eastern Australia, but the

larger bird is more rare. Three only were shot during the progress of the

Expedition. Their range did not extend beyond 28 degrees.

129. CYGNUS ATRATUS--The black Swan.

A description of this bird is here unnecessary. I may merely observe that

the only swan seen on the waters of the interior was a solitary one on

Cooper's Creek. They frequently passed over us at night during our stay

at the Depot, coming from and going to the N.W., being more frequently on

the wing when the moon was shining bright than at any other time.

130. CASARCA TADORNOIDES.--Chesnut-coloured Sheldrake.

This beautiful duck, the pride of Australian waters, is a bird of the

finest plumage. He is called the Mountain Duck by the settlers, and may

be more common in the hills than the low country, since he is seldom

found in the latter district. This bird builds in a tree, and when the

young are hatched, the male bird carries them in his bill down to the

ground. Strange, whose name I have already mentioned, had an opportunity

to watch two birds that had a brood of young in the hollow of a lofty

tree on the Gawler; and after the male bird had deposited his charge, he

went and secured the young, five in number, which he brought to me at

Adelaide, but I could not, with every care, keep them alive more than a

month. This bird is very large as a duck; his head and neck are a fine

green in colour, and he has a white ring round his neck, as also a white

band across his wings. It is not a good eating bird, however, as is often

the case with the birds of finer plumage.

131. ANAS SUPERCILIOSA, GMEL.--The Wild Duck.

Unlike the preceding, this bird is one of the finest eating birds of

Australia, being the wild duck of that continent. It is a fine bird in

point of size, but cannot boast the plumage of our mallard. It is a bird

of dark, almost black plumage, with a few glossy, green, secondary

feathers, characteristic of the genus. It is spread over the whole of the

interior, even to the north of the Stony Desert, but was there very wild,

and kept out of our reach.

132. SPATULA RHYNCHOTIS.--Australian Shoveller.

Not quite so large as the wild duck, but extremely good eating. This bird

is not common in the interior, and was only seen once or twice amongst

other ducks. Its plumage is a dark brown, and it has a light dull blue

band across the wing. It takes its name from its peculiar bill, and may

be termed the Shoveler of Australia. The specimens we procured in the

interior are precisely the same as those of the southern coast of the

continent.

133. MALACORHYNCHUS MEMBRANACEUS.--Membrane Duck.

A beautiful duck, of delicate plumage, but little fit for the table. It

is very common on most of the Australian creeks and streams, and is

called the Whistling Duck. This duck is rather larger than our teal. It

has a grey head, with a brown tinge, and is mottled in the breast

something like the woodcock. Its eye is dark and clear, and it has a line

of rose-pink running longitudinally behind it.

134. ANAS PUNCTATA, CUV.--Common Teal.

Somewhat larger than the English Teal, and equally good for the table.

The plumage of this little bird is dark, like that of the wild duck, from

which, in this respect, it hardly differs. It is the most numerous of the

water birds of the interior, and was sure to be in greater or less

numbers on any extensive waters we found. A pair had a brood on one of

the ponds in the Depot Glen; but the whole were taken off by a kite,

Milvus affinis, that watched them land and then flew at them. So long as

they kept in the water they were safe, but on land soon fell a prey to

the kite.

135. LEPTOTARSIS EYTONI, GOULD.--Eyton's Duck.

This new and fine bird was first shot on Strzelecki's Creek by Mr.

Browne; and was subsequently seen by me in considerable numbers on

Cooper's Creek. Its range was not to the westward, nor was it seen north

of the Stony Desert. I believe I am wrong in stating that the first was

killed at the place above mentioned; for, if my memory does not deceive

me, we had already secured a specimen at the Depot. In its general

plumage it is of a light brown, with a mottled breast and neck. It has

long white feathers crossing the thighs, with a fine black line along

them, and altogether it is a handsome bird. Under ordinary circumstances

we might have fared well on this duck at Cooper's Creek; but it was so

wild as to keep out of our reach, being evidently hunted by the natives

of the creek.

136. BIZIURA LOBATA.--Musk Duck.

This ugly bird was common on the Murray, and was seen by me in hundreds

on Lake Victoria; but it is seldom seen on the Darling--never to the

westward of Stanley's Range. It is an Oxford grey in colour, with a light

shade of brown; he flaps only, not being able to do more than skull along

the top of the water. It trusts therefore for its safety to diving; and

is so quick as to be shot with difficulty. The peculiarities of this bird

are two-fold: first its strong, musky smell, and secondly the large

appendage the male bird has attached to the under part of the bill.

137. XEMA JAMESONII.--Jameson's Gull.

This bird was seen only on Cooper's Creek in lat. 27 degrees, long. 102

degrees; where three or four were sitting on some rocks in the middle of

the water, and far out of gun's reach. They appeared to be similar to the

English gull, with a slate-coloured back and wings, and white breast. On

firing a shot, they rose and followed the ducks which rose at the same

time up the creek, and when flying they seemed exactly to resemble the

common gull. The only swan we saw was on this sheet of water, with eight

or ten cormorants.

138. HYDROCHEDIDON FLUVIATILIS, GOULD.--The Marsh Tern.

The only specimen seen during the Expedition, was shot by Mr. Stuart on

Strzelecki's Creek. It was flying up and down the creek, plunging into

the water every now and then. This light and airy bird had a

slate-coloured back, with black neck and breast; the crown of the head

was black, delicately spotted white.

139. PHALACROCORAX SULCIROSTRIS.--Groove-billed Cormorant.

Of a fine dark glossy green plumage; common on all the creeks and rivers

of the interior. These birds were very numerous at the Depot, and were

constantly coming in from, and flying to the N.W. But although we

afterwards penetrated some hundreds of miles in that direction, we never

discovered any waters to which they might have gone.

140. PELECANUS CONSPICILLATUS, TEMM.--The Pelican.

Like the swans, these birds frequently passed over us, coming from, and

going to that point to which all the aquatic, as well as many of the

ordinary birds winged their way. We sometimes saw them low down, sweeping

over the ground in circles, as if they had just risen from the water; but

in neither instance could such have been the case. On several occasions

we might have shot them, but they were useless, and would have encumbered

us much.

141. PODICEPS GULARIS.--Grebe.

The common Diver; frequenting the pools and rivers of the interior: of

dark brown plumage and silver-white belly. There are two or three

varieties of this bird, that I have seen on other occasions; but none,

with the exception of the present specimen, during the recent Expedition.

NO. I. LIST OF SPECIMENS, AND THE NAMES OF THE VARIOUS ROCKS,

COLLECTED DURING THE EXPEDITION.

1)

2) Tertiary Fossil, or limestone, (opalescent) from above

3) the fossil cliffs.

4)

5 Ferruginous sandstone.

6 Soapstone, apparently a recent deposit.

7 Gneiss.

8 Hornstone, a variety of.

9 Specular iron ore, lamellar with quartz.

10 Granite, with mammillary hematite--hornstone.

11 Specular iron ore, and iron ore highly magnetic.

12 Granite, white, a variety of.

13 Soapstone or clay, schorl, and slate with mica and chlorite.

14 Gneiss, a variety.

15 Granite, grey, both fine and coarse.

16 Granite, white, fine grained.

17 Hornstone, and mica slate (waved).

18 Clay.

19 Magnesian limestone, and limestone slaty and impure.

20 White conglomerate rock, appearing a binary granite.

21 Indurated clay.

22 Silicious pebbles.

23 Silicious rock, with veins of quartz.

24 Silicious rock.

25 Rock composed principally of silica and alumen forming sandstone.

26 Milky quartz.

27) Rounded balls, composed of sand and clay, cemented by oxide of iron;

28) hollow, but without crystals; rounded by the action of water.

29 Hornstone.

30 Granite, grey, a variety.

31 Ferruginous sandstone.

32 Silicious rock, with veins of quartz.

33 Mica slate.

34 Quartz, indurated with red veins.

35 Silicious rock, dusky.

36 Silicious rock, white.

37 Gypsum, or sulphate of lime.

38 Quartz veins from slate; trap rock, containing hornblende and

feldspar; limestone, recent, with clay and slate imbedded.

39 Impure and slaty limestone; hornslate, a variety.

40 Hemaetite, a silicious oxide of iron; quartz veins in slate; silicious

rock; chalcedony; sandy clay.

41 Indurated and dusky quartz.

42 Quartz, a hard, fine-grained dusky variety.

43 Ditto ditto ditto

44 Silicious rock, appearing a knob, from a slate formation

45 Limestone (fibrous).

46 Silicious rock.

47 Horn slate.

48 Silicious rock; iron-stone pebbles.

49 Hornstone.

50 Quartz.

51 Quartz.

52 Trap rock.

53 Quartz.

54 Hornstone.

55 White rock.

56 White sandstone.

57 Sandstone.

58 Sandstone.

59 Silicious oxide of iron.

60 Gypsum.

It will be seen, by an inspection of the map, that there is a large

interval of low depressed country, between Stanley's and Grey's Ranges.

The rock formation on the latter being almost exclusively of one kind.

Beyond Grey's Range, no elevation in the interior, on the N.W. line

traversed by the Expedition, was seen; but on the Stony Desert the

fragments of rock, with which it was covered, were composed of indurated

quartz, rounded by attrition, and coated with oxide of iron. North of the

Stony Desert, sandstone occurred in the bed of Eyre's Creek, and milky

quartz cropped out of the ground, in lat. 25 degrees 35 minutes, and in

long. 138 degrees 39 minutes. The valley of Cooper's Creek was, however,

bounded in by low quartzose hills, covered with sand. The general level

of the interior was otherwise ferruginous clay, on which the long sandy

doones or ridges rested, excepting where their regularity was broken by

flooded plains. The clay rested on sandstone, which, with a few

exceptions, where fossil tertiary limestone occurred, similar to that of

the Murray cliffs, was ferruginous sandstone, at the depth of two feet

and a half or three feet.

NO. II. LOCALITIES OF THE DIFFERENT GEOLOGICAL SPECIMENS,

COLLECTED BY THE CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITION.

1) From the cliffs of the Murray River, both above and below the great

2) north-west bend, bounding the valley of that river, with an average

3) height of 150 or 200 feet.

4)

5 From the sandstone hills on the Murray.

6 From Carnapaga, on the first creek to the N.W. of the Darling River.

7 From station No. 3, on the Barrier or Stanley's Range, Mount Darling.

8 From the Glen of Yancowinna.

9 From the Iron Ridge, south of the Glen of Yancowinna.

10 From Mount Bourke, on Stanley's Range, No. 1 station.

11 From the Iron Stone Hill on the Range (Piesse's Knob).

12 From a central hill on the Range.

13 From a central hill.

14 From Lewis's hill.

15 From the Black Hill Mount Robe.

16 From a valley in the Range.

17 From the bed of the Creek.

18 From the Rocky Glen.

19 From the outer Range to the westward of the Barrier, Station No. 1.

20 From the same, Station No. 2.

21 From the Stony Creek.

22 Gathered from the plains between the creeks to the west of the Ranges.

23 From a distant hill in Stanley's Range--the base.

24 From the summit of the same.

25 From a rugged detached hill.

26 From a small hill near the Range.

27 From the nearer plains.

28 Ditto ditto.

29 From a water-worn hill near Flood's Creek.

30 From Station No. 38, Mount Wood.

31 From the summit of the Range, Station No. 39.

32 From Station No. 40. Mount Lyell, fifty miles east.

33 From some low hills, near Flood's Creek.

34 From the last hill on Stanley's Barrier Range.

35 From the Magnetic Hill, Mount Arrowsmith.

36 From the Table Hill, Mount Browne.

37 From the White Hill.

38 From the Depot Glen.

39 From the Black Hill, Mount Robe.

40 Ditto ditto ditto

41 From the summit of Grey's Range.

42 From the last hill to the north, lat. 28 degrees 26 minutes.

43 From the most distant hill to the north-east.

44)

45) From the Depot Glen.

46)

47}} From the Plains to the north of the Red Hill, Mount Poole.

48}}

49) From various parts of the Depot Glen, and the Range with which it is

50) connected. This Range is separated from the main ranges, but still

51) occupies the eastern side of the high land, running between the eastern

52) and western waters.

53)

54)

55 From the summit of the Red Hill, Mount Poole.

56) From the base of the same hill.

57)

58 From the summit (2nd specimen).

59 From the plains north of the Depot.

60 From the plains.

BOTANICAL APPENDIX ROBERT BROWN, ESQ., D.C.L., F.R.S., F.L.S., &C.

My friend, Captain Sturt, having placed at my disposal the Collection of

Plants formed in his recent Expedition into the Southern Interior of

Australia, I am desirous of giving some account of the principal

novelties it contains.

The collection consists of about one hundred species, to which might be

added, if they could be accurately determined, many other plants, chiefly

trees, slightly mentioned in the interesting narrative, which is about to

appear, and to which the present account will form an Appendix. I may

also observe, in reference to the limited number of species, that Captain

Sturt and his companion, Mr. Brown, seem to have collected chiefly those

plants that appeared to them new or striking, and of such the collection

contains a considerable proportion.

In regard too to such forms as appear to constitute genera hitherto

undescribed, it greatly exceeds the much more extensive herbarium,

collected by Sir Thomas Mitchell in his last expedition, in which the

only two plants proposed as in this respect new, belong to genera already

well established, namely, Delabechia to Brachychiton, and Linschotenia to

Dampiera.

In Captain Sturt's collection, I have been obliged, from the incomplete

state of the specimens, to omit several species, probably new, from the

following account, in which the plants noticed, chiefly new genera and

species, are arranged according to the order of families in the Prodromus

of De Candolle.

BLENNODIA.

Cruciferarum genus, prope Matthiolam.

CHAR. GEN.--Calyx clausus, foliolis lateralibus basi saccatis. Petala

aequalia, laminis obovatis. Stamina: filamentis edentulis. Ovarium

lineare. Stylus brevissimus. Stigma bilobum dilatatum. Siliqua linearis

valvis convexiusculis, stigmate coronata, polysperma. Semina aptera pube

fibroso-mucosa tecta! Cotyledones incumbentes!

Herba (v. Suffrutex) erecta ramosa canescens, pube ramosa; foliis

lato-linearibus remote dentatis; racemis terminalibus.

1. BLENNODIA canescens.

LOC. In arenosis depressis.

DESC. Suffruticosa, sesquipedalis, caule ramisque teretibus. Folia vix

pollicaria paucidentata. Racemi multiflori, erecti, ebracteati. Flores

albicantes. Calyx incano-pubescens. Petalorum ungues calyce paulo

longiores. Stamina 6, tetradynama, filamentis linearibus membranaceis

apice sensim angustato.

OBS. This plant has entirely the habit, and in many important points the

structure of Matthiola, near which in a strictly natural method it must

be placed; differing, however, in having incumbent cotyledons, and in the

mucous covering of its seeds. The mucus proceeds from short tubes

covering the whole surface of the testa, each containing a spiral fibre,

which seems to be distinct from the membrane of the tube. A structure

essentially similar is known to occur generally in several families: to

what extent or in what genera of Cruciferae it may exist, I have not

ascertained; it is not found, however, in those species of Matthiola

which I have examined.

STURTIA.

Malvacearum genus, proximum Gossypio, affine etiam Senrae.

CHAR. GEN.--Involucrum triphyllum integerrimum. Calyx 5-dentatus, sinubus

rotundatis. Petala cuneatoobovata, basi inaequilatera. Columna staminum

polyandra. Ovaria 5, polysperma. Styli cohaerentes. Stigmata distincta

linearia. Pericarpia . . . Semina . . .

Suffrutex orgyalis glaber; foliis petiolatis obovatis integerrimis;

floribus pedunculatis solitariis.

2. STURTIA Gossypioides.

LOC. "In the beds of the creeks on the Barrier Range."--D. Sturt.

DESC. Suffrutex orgyalis glaber. Folia ramorum alterna, diametro unciali,

trinervia; petiolo folium subaequanti, basi in stipulam subscariosam

adnatam dilatato. Pedunculi vel potius rami floriferi suboppositifolii

nec vere axillares uniflori, juxta apicem folio nano petiolato stipulis 2

distinctis stipato instructi. Involucrum foliaceum venosum, foliolis

distinctis, cordatis, punctis nigricantibus glandulosis conspersis. Calyx

dentibus acutis, sinubus rotundatis. Petala sesquipollicaria, uti calycis

tubus glanduloso-punctata glandulis nigricantibus semi-immersis, purpurea

basibus atro purpureis margine barbatis. Columna staminum e basi nuda

super ad apicem usque antherifera: antheris reniformibus, loculis apice

confluentibus. Pollen hispidum.

OBS. Sturtia is no doubt very nearly related to Gossypium, from which it

differs in the entire and distinct leaves of its foliaceous involucrum,

in the sharp teeth and broad rounded sinuses of the calyx, and possibly

also in its fruit and seeds, which are, however, at present unknown. They

agree in the texture and remarkable glands of the calyx, and in the

structure of the columna staminum. Senra, which like Sturtia, has the

foliola of its three-leaved involucrum distinct and entire, differs from

it in having its calyx 5-fid with sharp sinuses, in the absence of

glands, in the reduced number of stamina, and in its dispermous ovaria.

3. TRIBULUS (Hystrix) lanatus, foliis 8-10-jugis, fructibus undique

tectis spinis subulatis longitudine inaequalibus: majoribus sparsis

longitudinem cocci superantibus.

LOC. "In collinis arenosis. Lat. 26 degrees." D. Sturt.

DESC. Herba diffusa, sericea, incana. Folium majus cuiusque paris 8-10

jugum, foliolis ovatis. Flores magni. Calyxaestivatione leviter

imbricata. Petala calyce duplo longiora. Stamina decem, antheris

linearibus.

OBS. I. A species nearly related to T. Hystrix, found on the west coast

of Australia, or on some of its islands, in the voyage of the Beagle, may

be distinguished by the following character. Tribulus (occidentalis)

sericeolanatus, foliis suboctojugis, coccis undique dense armatis: spinis

omnibus conico-subulatis longitudine invicem aequalibus. These two

species differ from all others in the uniform shape of the spines, which

equally cover the whole external surface of the fruit.

OBS. II. The American species of the Linnean genus Tribulus are

distinguishable from the rest of the published species, by having ten

monospermous cocci, by their persistent calyx, and the absence of glands

subtending the 5 filaments opposite to the sepals.

This tribe was originally separated as a genus by Scopoli, under the name

of Kallstroemia, which has been recently adopted by Endlicher.

Another tribe exists in the intratropical part of the Australian

continent, to which, nearly 40 years ago, in the Banksian Herbarium, I

gave the generic name of Tribulopis, and which may readily be

distinguished by the following characters.

TRIBULOPIS.

Calyx 5-partitus deciduus. Petala 5. Stamina decem (nunc 5.) Filamenta

quinque, sepalis opposita, basi glandula stipata. Ovaria 5, monosperma.

Cocci, praeter tubercula 2 v. 4 baseos, laeves.

Herbae annuoe prostratoe; foliis omnibus alternis!

TRIBULOPIS (Solandri.) foliis bi-trijugis, foliolis subovatis

inaequilateris, coccis basi quadrituberculatis.

LOC. In ora orientali intratropica Novae Hollandiae prope Endeavour

River, anno 1770. D.D. Banks et Solander.

TRIBULOPIS (angustifolia), foliis 3-4 jugis (raro bijugis), foliolis

linearibus, tuberculis baseos coccorum abbreviatis.

LOC. Ad fundum sinus Carpentariae annis 1802 et 3. R. Brown.

TRIBULOPIS (pentandra), foliis bijugis, foliolis oblongo-lanceolatis pari

superiore duplo majore, floribus pentandris, petalis lanceolatis.

LOC. In insulis juxta fundum sinus Carpentariae anno 1803. R. Brown.

4. CROTALARIA (Sturtii) tomentosa, foliis simplicibus ovalibus utrinque

sericeo-tomentosis, petiolis apice geniculatis, racemis terminalibus

multifloris.

LOC. "On the top of the ridges in pure sand, from S. Lat. 28 degrees to

26 degrees." D. Sturt.

DESC. Frutex 2.3-pedalis (D. Sturt). Folia alterna, ovata passim ovalia,

obtusa, sesquipollicem longa, utrinque velutina; petiolus teres basi vix

crassiore apice curvato. Racemus terminalis; pedicellis approximatis

calycem vix aequantibus apice bibracteatis. Flores sesquipollicares.

Calyx 5-fidus; laciniis lanceato-linearibus acutis subaequalibus tubum

paulo superantibus. Corolla sordide flava, calyce plus duplo major.

Vexillum magnum, basi simplici nec auriculata, late ovatum, acutum. Alae

vexillo fere dimidio breviores, basi semicordata. Carina longitudine

vexilli, acuminata, basi gibbosa, ibique aperta marginibus tomentosis.

Stamina 10 diadelpha, simplex et novemfidum. Antherae quinque majores

lineares, juxta basin affixae; quinque reliquae ovatae, linearibus triplo

breviores, incumbentes. Ovarium lineare, multi-ovulatum. Stylus extra

medium et praesertim latere interiore barbatum. Stigma obtusum. Legumen

desideratur.

OBS. A species very nearly related to C. Sturtii, having flowers of

nearly equal size, and of the same colour and proportion of parts, found

in 1818, by Mr. Cunningham, on the north-west coast of Australia, and

since in Captains Wickham and Stokes' Voyage of the Beagle; may be

distinguished by the following character:--Crotalaria (Cunninghamii)

tomentosa, foliis simplicibus ovali-obovatis utrinque sericeo-tomentosis,

petiolis apice curvatis, pedunculis axillaribus unifloris.

5. CLIANTHUS (Dampieri) herbaceus prostratus sericeovillosissimus,

foliolis oppositis (rarissime alternis) oblongis passim lineari-oblongis

obovatisve, pedunculis erectis scapiformibus, floribus subumbellatis,

calycibus 5-fidis sinubus acutis, ovariis (leguminibusque immaturis)

sericeis.

Clianthus Oxleyi A. Cunningham in Hort. Soc. Transac. II. series, vol. 1.

p. 522.

Donia speciosa Don, Gen. Syst. vol. 2. p. 468.

Clianthus Dampieri Cunningham, loc. cit.

Colutea Novae Hollandiae, &c. Woodward in Dampier's Voy. vol. 3. p. 111.

tab. 4. f. 2.

LOC. "In ascending the Barrier Range near the Darling, about 500 feet

above the river." D. Sturt.

OBS. In July, 1817, Mr. Allan Cunningham, who accompanied Mr. Oxley in

his first expedition into the Western Interior of New South Wales, found

his Clianthus Oxleyi on the eastern shore of Regent's Lake, on the River

Lachlan. The same plant was observed on the Gawler Range, not far from

the head of Spencer's Gulf by Mr. Eyre in 1839, and more recently by

Captain Sturt, on his Barrier Range near the Darling. I have examined

specimens from all these localities, and am satisfied that they belong to

one and the same species.

In March (not May) 1818, Mr. Cunningham, who accompanied Captain King in

his voyages of survey of the coasts of New Holland, found on one of the

islands of Dampier's Archipelago, a plant which he then regarded as

identical with that of Regent's Lake. This appears from the following

passage of his MS. Journal:--

"I was not a little surprised to find Kennedya speciosa, (his original

name for Clianthus Oxleyi), a plant discovered in July 1817, on sterile

bleak open flats, near Regent's Lake, on the River Lachlan, in lat. 33

degrees 13 minutes S. and long. 146 degrees 40 minutes E. It is not

common, I could see only three plants, of which one was in flower. This

island is the Isle Malus of the French." Mr. Cunningham was not then

aware of the figure and description in Dampier above referred to, which,

however, in his communication to the Horticultural Society in 1834, he

quotes for the plant of the Isle Malus, then regarded by him as a

distinct species from his Clianthus Oxleyi of the River Lachlan. To this

opinion he was probably in part led by the article Donia or Clianthus, in

Don's System of Gardening and Botany, vol. 2. p. 468, in which a third

species of the genus is introduced, founded on a specimen in Mr.

Lambert's Herbarium, said to have been discovered at Curlew River, by

Captain King. This species, named Clianthus Dampieri by Cunningham, he

characterises as having leaves of a slightly different form, but its

principal distinction is in its having racemes instead of umbels; at the

same time he confidently refers to Dampier's figure and description, both

of which prove the flowers to be umbellate, as he describes those of his

Clianthus Oxleyi to be. But as the flowers in this last plant are never

strictly umbellate, and as I have met with specimens in which they are

rather corymbose, I have no hesitation in referring Dampier's specimen,

which many years ago I examined at Oxford, as well as Cunningham's, to

Clianthus Dampieri. This specimen, however, cannot now be found in his

Herbarium, as Mr. Heward, to whom he bequeathed his collections, informs

me: nor can I trace Mr. Lambert's plant, his Herbarium having been

dispersed.

Since the preceding observations were written, I have seen in Sir William

Hooker's Herbarium, two specimens of a Clianthus, found by Mr. Bynoe, on

the North-west coast of Australia, in the voyage of the Beagle. These

specimens, I have no doubt, are identical with Dampier's plant, and they

agree both in the form of leaves and in their subumbellate inflorescence

with the plant of the Lachlan, Darling, and the Gawler Range. From the

form of the half-ripe pods of one of these specimens, I am inclined to

believe that this plant, at present referred to Clianthus will, when its

ripe pods are known, prove to be sufficiently different from the original

New Zealand species to form a distinct genus, to which, if such should be

the case, the generic name Eremocharis may be given, as it is one of the

greatest ornaments of the desert regions of the interior of Australia, as

well as of the sterile islands of the North west coast.

CLIDANTHERA.

CHAR. GEN.--Calyx 5-fidus. Petala longitudine subaequalia. Stamina

diadelpha: antheroe uniformes; loculis apice confluentibus, valvula

contraria ab apice ad basin separanti dehiscentes! Ovarium monospermum.

Stylus subulatus. Stigma obtusum. Legumen ovatum, lenticulari-compressum,

echinatum.

Herba, v. Suffrutex, glabra, glandulosa; ramulis angulatis. Folia cum

impari pinnata; foliolis oppositis, subtus glandulosis. Stipulae parvoe,

basi petioli adnatoe. Flores spicati, parvi, albicantes.

OBS. Subgenus forsan Psoraleae, cui habitu simile, foliis calycibusque

pariter glandulosis; diversum dehiscentia insolita antherarum!

6. CLIDANTHERA psoralioides.

LOC. Suffrutex bipedalis in paludosis. D. Sturt.

DESC. Herba, vel suffrutex, erecta, bipedalis, glabriuscula. Ramuli

angulati. Folia cum impari pinnata, 4-5-juga; foliola opposita,

lanceolata, subtus glandulis crebris parvis manifestis, marginibus

scabris. Spicae densae, multiflorae. Calyx 5-fidus, parum inaequalis,

acutus, extus glandulis dense conspersus. Corolla: Vexillum lamina

oblonga subconduplicata nec explanata, basi simplici absque auriculis;

ungue abbreviato. Aloe vexillo paulo breviores, carinam aequantes,

laminis oblongis, auriculo baseos brevi. Carinoe petala alis conformes.

Stamina diadelpha, simplex et novemfidum; antherae subrotundae v.

reniformes, valvula ventrali anthera dimidio minore subrotunda. Ovarium

hispidum ovulo reniformi. Legumen basi calyce subemarcido cinctum,

echinatum. Semen reniforme, absque strophiola; integumento duplici.

Embryo viridis; cotyledones obovatae, accumbentes.

OBS. This plant, which in some respects resembles certain species of

Glycyrrhiza, appears to be not unfrequent in the southern interior. It

was found in one of the early expeditions of Sir Thomas Mitchell, and

Mrs. (Capt.) Grey, observed it on the flats of the Murray.

7. SWAINSONA (grandiflora) suffruticosa pubescens, foliis 8-10-jugis

inexpansis incano-tomentosis; foliolis oblongis obtusis retusisve:

adultis semiglabratis: rachi subincana, racemo multifloro folium

superante, bracteolis lanceato-linearibus acutis aequantibus tubum

calycis albo lanati quinque fidi: laciniis acutissimis longitudine fere

tubi, vexillo bicalloso.

LOC. "Common on the rich alluvial flats of the Murray and Darling." D.

Sturt.

OBS. This plant is, perhaps, not specifically distinct from S. Greyana

Lindl. Bot. Regist. 1846, tab. 66, of which the figure is a good

representation of S. grandiflora in every respect, except in the form and

proportions of the teeth of the calyx and lateral bracteae. In these

points it exactly agrees with complete specimens, for which I am indebted

to Mrs. Grey, from the banks of the Murray, and Mr. Eyre's station

(Moorundi), about 98 miles from Adelaide, where it was first found in

November, 1841. The following characters, if constant, will sufficiently

distinguish it from S. grandiflora.

SWAINSONA (Greyana) suffruticosa pubescens, foliis 5-9-jugis inexpansis

incano-tomentosis; foliolis oblongis obtusis retusisve: adultis

semiglabratis: rachi subincana, racemis multifloris folio longioribus,

bracteis lateralibus lanceato-linearibus brevioribus tubo calycis

albo-lanati quinque-dentati: dentibus obtusiusculis tubo dimidio

brevioribus, vexillo bicalloso.

In the second edition of Hortus Kewensis, (vol. 4. p. 326), I excluded

from the generic character of Swainsona the calli of the vexillum, having

observed two Australian species where they were wanting, but which in

every other respect appeared to me referable to this genus; for the same

reason I continue to introduce the calli, where they exist, into the

specific characters, as was done in Hortus Kewensis, 1. c. In the generic

character of Swainsona, given in De Candolle's Prodromus, (vol. 2. p.

271), the calli of vexillum are transferred to the calyx; this can only

be regarded as an oversight, which perhaps has been corrected by the

author himself, and which, so far as I know, has never been adopted in

any more recent work in which the generic character of Swainsona is

given.

8. SWAINSONA? (laxa) glabra, caule ramoso, foliis 6-7-jugis; foliolis

oblongo-ovalibus obtusis, racemis elongatis laxis, pedicellis calyce

glabro quinquedentato brevioribus, bracteolis subulatis, vexillo

ecalloso.

LOC. Statio nulla indicata, in Herb. D. Sturt.

OBS. There is something in the aspect of this plant not entirely agreeing

with the other species of the genus; and as the fruit is unknown, and the

flowers yellow, I refer it with a doubt to Swainsona.

PENTADYNAMIS.

CHAR. GEN.--Calyx 5-fidus subaequalis. Vexillum explanatum, callo baseos

laminae in unguem decurrenti. Carina obtusa, basin versus gibba,

longitudine alarum. Stamina diadelpha; antheris 5 majoribus linearibus,

reliquis ovatis. Ovarium polyspermum. Stylus e basi arcuata porrectus,

postice barbatus. Legumen compressum.

Herba (Suffrutex sec. D. Sturt), bipedalis sericeo-incana; caule angulato

erecto. Folia ternata; foliolis sessilibus, linearibus, obtusis. Flores

racemosi, flavi.

9. PENTADYNAMIS incana.

LOC. "On sand-hills with Crotalaria Sturtii." D. Sturt.

DESC. Herba erecta, ramosa, sericeo-incana. Folia alterna, ternata;

petiolo elongato, teretiusculo, foliolo terminali longiore vix unciali.

Racemi multiflori, erecti; pedicelli subaequantes calycem. Bracteolae

subulatae, infra apicem pedicelli, basin calycis attingentes. Calyx

5-fidus; laciniis acutis tubum aequantibus. Corolla flava, calyce plus

duplo longior. Vexillum explanatum, basi absque auriculis sed callo in

unguem decurrenti ibique barbato auctum. Carina infra medium gibba pro

receptione baseos styli. Staminum antherae majores lineares, basi vel

juxta basin affixae; 5 minores ovatae, incumbentes. Ovarium lineare,

pubescens. Stigma terminale, obtusum. Legumen immaturum incanum, stylo e

basi arcuata porrecto terminatum, calyce subemarcido subtensum.

OBS. In the collection of the plants of his last expedition, presented to

the British Museum by Sir Thomas Mitchell, there is a plant which seems

to belong to the genus Pentadynamis, which is probably, therefore, one of

the species of Vigna, described by Mr. Bentham.

10. CASSIA (Sturtii), tomentoso-incana, foliis 4-jugis foliolis

lanceolato-linearibus planis: glandula depressa inter par infimum, racemo

corymboso paucifloro cum pedunculo suo folium paulo superante v.

aequante, calyce tomentoso.

LOC. "In sandy brushes of the Western interior." D. Sturt.

OBS. Species proxima C. artemisiaefoliae De Cand. Prodr. quae Cassia

glaucescens Cunningh. MSS. 1817, cui foliola teretiuscula, et racemus

corymbosus cum pedunculo suo folio brevior.

11. CASSIA (canaliculata), cinerascens pube tenuissima, foliis 2-jugis

(raro 1-jugis) foliolis angustato-linearibus canaliculatis: glandula

inter par inferius et dum unijuga inter terminale, calycibus

glabriusculis, racemis corymbosis paucifloris folio brevioribus.

LOC. "In the bed of the creeks of the Barrier Range, about thirty-six

miles from the Darling, in lat. 32 degrees S." D. Sturt.

OBS. Proxima C. eremophilae Cunningh. MSS. quae sequentibus notis a

Cassia phyllodinea et C. zygophylla, Benth. facile distinguenda.

CASSIA (eremophila), glabra, foliis unijugis raro passim bijugis;

foliolis linearibus canaliculatis latitudine racheos linearis aversae,

corymbis paucifloris folio brevioribus.

LOC. In desertis prope fluvium Lachlan, anno 1817, detexit. D.

Cunningham.

CASSIA (zygophylla), glabra foliis unijugis; foliolis linearibus planis

rachi duplo latioribus, corymbis paucifloris folio brevioribus.

Cassia zygophylla, Benth. in Mitch. trop. Austr. p. 288.

Another species nearly related to C. zygophylla is readily distinguished

by the following character.

CASSIA (platypoda), glabra, foliis unijugis; foliolis linearibus apiculo

recurvo duplo angustioribus rachi aversa lanceolato-lineari.

LOC. Juxta fluvium Murray, anno 1841, detexit Domina Grey.

12. CASSIA (phyllodinea), canescens pube arctissime adpressa, phyllodiis

aphyllis linearibus planis falcatis aversis, calycibus glabris, legumine

plano-compresso.

LOC. In Herbario D. Sturt specimen exstat nulla stationis aut loci

indicatione, sed eandem speciem ad fundum sinus Spencer's gulf dicti in

sterilibus apricis anno 1802 legi.

DESC. Frutex quadripedalis, ramosissimus. Phyllodia semper aphylla,

aversa, linearia, acuta, basi attenuata, plus minusve falcato-incurva,

biuncialia, 1/16 circiter unciae lata, exstipulata, paginis pube

arctissime adpressa canescentibus, margine superiore glandula unica

depressa obsoleta. Flores flavi, in umbella axillari 2-3 flora.

OBS. Cassia phyllodinea is one of the very few species of the genus,

which, like the far greater part of New Holland Acaciae lose their

compound leaves, and are reduced to the footstalk, or phyllodium, as it

is then called, and which generally becomes foliaceous by vertical

compression and dilatation. A manifest vertical compression takes place

in this species of Cassia.

A second species, Cassia circinata of Benth. in Mitch. trop. Austr. p.

384, is equally reduced to its footstalk, but which is without manifest

vertical compression. To this species may perhaps be referred Cassia

linearis of Cunningham MS., discovered by him in 1817, but which appears

to differ in having a single prominent gland about the middle of its

phyllodium: Bentham's plant being entirely eglandular.

These two, or possibly three species, belong to the desert tracts of the

South Australian interior. In the same regions we have another tribe of

Cassiae closely allied to the aphyllous species; they have only one pair

of foliola which are caducous, and whose persistent footstalk is more or

less vertically compressed. Along with these, and nearly related to them,

are found several species of Cassia, having from two to four or five

pairs of foliola which are narrow, but their footstalks are without

vertical compression, and their foliola are caducous, chiefly in those,

however, which have only two pairs.

PETALOSTYLIS.

Caesalpinearum genus, Labicheae proximum.

CHAR. GEN.--Calyx 5-phyllus, aequalis. Petala 5 subaequalia, patentia.

Stamina: Filamenta quinque sepalis opposita, quorum tria antherifera,

antheris basifixis linearibus, duo reliqua castrata. Ovarium

oligospermum. Stylus maximus, petaloideus, trilobus, lobo medio longiore

axi incrassata desinente in stigma obtusum simplex!

Frutex glaber, erectus. Folia alterna, pinnata cum impari, foliolis

alternis. Racemi axillares, pauciflori. Flores flavi.

13. PETALOSTYLIS Labicheoides.

LOC. "In the bed of a creek along with Sturtia." D. Sturt.

OBS. Eadem omnino species exstat inter plantas in Insulis Archipelagi

Dampieri juxta oram septentrio-occidentalem Novae Hollandiae in itinere

navis Beagle dictae lectas.

DESC. Frutex facie fere Cassiae et Labicheae. Folia alterna, cum impari

pinnata, foliolis alternis brevissime petiolatis oblongolanceolatis cum

mucronulo terminali paulo majore. Stipulae parvae caducae. Racemi

pauciflori, axillares, folio breviores. Alabastrum ovali-oblongum

acutiusculum. Calyx viridis, sepalis subaequalibus oblongis acutis,

aestivatione imbricatis. Petala quinque subaequalia, oblonga, flava

aestivatione imbricata, sepalis sesquilongiora. Stamina 3 antherifera

aequalia, filamentis abbreviatis, antheris acutis bilocularibus, loculis

sulco longitudinali insculptis; 2 reliqua rudimenta parva subfiliformia.

Ovarium sessile, lineare, 3-4-spermum. Stylus lobo medio triplo longiore,

oblongo-lanceolato, lobis lateralibus auriculiformibus semiovatis

obtusis. Stigma imberbe.

OBS. The structure of the style, which forms the only important character

of this genus, so far as the specimens enable me to judge, is so

remarkable and peculiar, as to render it necessary to state, that I have

found it quite uniform in all the flowers I have examined; namely, in

four immediately before, and in three after expansion.

PODOCOMA.

CHAR. GEN.--Involucrum imbricatum, foliolis angustis acutis. Liguloe

pluriseriales, angustissimae, femineae. Flosculi pauciores

hermaphrodito-masculi. Ligularum pappo capillari, stipitato, denticulato.

Receptaculum epaleatum.

Herba humilis, setosa; caule dense, foliato; folia petiolata, cuneata,

incisa, setis albis conspersa.

14. PODOCOMA cuneifolia.

LOC. In Herbario D. Sturt absque ulla indicatione loci vel stationis.

OBS. This plant appears to be generically distinct from Erigeron,

particularly in its stipitate pappus. The specimens, however, are so

incomplete, that I am unable to determine whether what I have considered

stem, may not be a branch only.

LEICHARDTIA.

CHAR. GEN.--Calyx 5-partitus. Corolla urceolata; tubo intus imberbi;

fauce annulo integerrimo incrassata. Corona staminea 5-phylla, foliolis

antheris oppositis, iisque brevioribus, indivisis. Antheroe membrana

(brevi) terminatae. Massoe Pollinis erectae basi affixae. Stigma vix

divisum.

Suffrutex volubilis; foliis linearibus, fascicularibus, extraalaribus;

folliculis ventricosis ovato-oblongis.

15. LEICHHARDTIA australis.

Doubah Mitchell, trop. Austr. p. 85.

LOC. "Common on the Murray and in the interior." D. Sturt.

DESC. Suffrutex pubescens, subcinereus; ramis striatisnec omnino

teretibus. Folia sesquipollicaria, linearia, acuta. Fasciculi multiflori.

Calycis foliola obtusa, pube tenui cinerascentia. Corolla glabra; tubo

absque squamulis denticulisve, ventricoso; limbovix longitudine tubi,

laciniis conniventibus sinistrorsum imbricatis. Coronae foliola e basi

dilatata adnata linearia, indivisa. Massae Pollinis (Pollinia) lineares.

OBS. Doubah was originally found by Sir T. Mitchell, but with fruit only,

in one of his journeys, and also in his last expedition; and, according

to him, the natives eat the seed-vessel entire, preferring it roasted.

Captain Sturt, on the other hand, observes, that the natives of the

districts where he found it, eat only the pulpy seed-vessel, rejecting

the seeds.

16. JASMINUM lineare. Br. prodr. 1. p. 521.

Jasminum Mitchellii. Lindl. in Mitch. trop. Austr. p. 365.

OBS. In Captain Sturt's collection there are perfect specimens of this

plant, on which a few remarks may be here introduced, chiefly referring

to its very general existence in the sterile regions of the interior of

Southern Australia, and even extending to the north-west eoast.

The species was established on specimens which I collected in 1802, in

the sterile exposed tract at the head of Spencer's Gulf. With these I

have compared and found identical Mr. A. Cunningham's specimens gathered

in the vicinity of the Lachlan, in 1817; Captain Sturt's, in his earlier

expeditions, from the Darling; those of Sir Thomas Mitchell, in his

different journeys; and specimens collected in one of the islands of

Dampier's Archipelago. In this great extent of range, it exactly agrees

with a still more remarkable plant, and one much less likely to belong to

a desert country, namely, Clianthus Dampieri.

I have considered Jasminum Mitchellii as hardly a variety of J. lineare,

the character of this supposed species depending on its smooth leaves,

and its axillary nearly sessile corymbi or fasciculi, which are much

shorter than their subtending leaves; but even in the specimen contained

in the collection presented to the British Museum by Sir Thomas Mitchell,

the young branches, as well as the pedunculus and pedicelli, are covered

with similar pubesceuce, and in the same degree as that of J. lineare;

the specimens from Dampier's Archipelago have leaves equally smooth, but

have the inflorescence of J. lineare; and I have specimens of J. lineare

in which, with the usual pubescence of that species, the inflorescence is

that of Mitchellii. Among Sir Thos. Mitchell's collection at the Museum,

there is a Jasminum not noticed by Professor Lindley, which, though very

nearly related to J. lineare, and possibly a variety only, may be

distinguished by the following character.

Jasminum (micranthum) cinereo-pubescens, foliis ternatis; foliolis

lanceato-linearibus, pedunculis axillaribus 1-3 floris, corollae laciniis

obtusis dimidio tubi brevioribus.

17. GOODENIA (cycloptera) ramosissima pubescens, foliis radicalibus

serrato-incisis; caulinis lanceolato-ellipticis obsolete serratis in

petiolum attenuatis, pedunculis axillaribus unifloris folia

subaequantibus, seminibus orbiculatis membrana angusta cinctis.

LOC. Indicatio nulla stationis in Herb. D. Sturt.

18. SCAEVOLA (depauperata), erecta ramosissima, ramis alternis; ultimis

oppositis divaricatis, foliis minimis sublinearibus: ramorum alternis

ramulorum oppositis, pedunculis e dichotomiis ramulorum solitariis

unifloris.

LOC. "In salt ground, in lat. 26 degrees S." D. Sturt.

DESC. Herbacea, vix suffruticosa, adulta glabriuscula, erecta,

ramosissima. Rami ramulique angulati; ultimi oppositi, indivisi,

divaricati, apice diphylli, foliis minimis et rudimento minuto floris

abortivi. Folia sessilia, linearia, acuta, brevissima, ramos subtendentia

alterna, ramulos ultimos brachiatos opposita. Pedunculi e dichotomiis

ramulorum ultimorum penultimorumque solitarii, uniflori, ebracteati.

Calyx: limbo supero quinquepartito; laciniis lineari-lanceatis,

aequalibus, pubescentibus. Corolla: tubo hinc ad basin usque fisso; limbo

unilabiato, 5-partito; laciniis lanceolatis, aequalibus, marginibus

angustis induplicatis, extus uti tubus pubescentibus, intus glabris

trinerviis, nervo medio venoso. Stamina: filamenta distincta, anguste

linearia, glabra, axi incrassata; antherae liberae, lineares, imberbes,

basi affixae, loculis longitudinaliter dehiscentibus. Ovarium biloculare?

loculis monospermis, ovulis erectis. Stylus cylindraceus, glaber.

Stigmatis indusium margine ciliatum et extus pilis copiosis longis

strictis acutis albis tectum v. cinctum.

19. EREMOPHILA (Cunninghamii) arborescens, foliis alternis linearibus

mucronulo recurvo, sepalis fructus unguiculatis eglandulosis, corolla

extus glabra.

Eremophila? arborescens, Cunningh. MSS. 1817.

Eremodendron Cunninghami, De Cand. prodr. xi. p. 713.

Delessert ic. select. vol. v. p. 43. tab. 100. (ubi error in num.

ovulorum.)

LOC. "In the sandy brushes of the low western interior, not beyond lat.

29 degrees S." D. Sturt.

OBS. The genus Eremophila was founded on very unsatisfactory materials,

namely, on two species, E. oppositifolia and alternifolia, which I found

growing in the same sandy desert at the head of Spencer's Gulf in 1802,

the only combining character being the scariose calyx, which I inferred

must have been enlarged after flowering. This, however, proves not to be

the case in E. alternifolia, which Mrs. Grey has found in flower towards

the head of St. Vincent's Gulf: and from analogy with other species since

discovered, it probably takes place only in a slight degree in E.

oppositifolia, whose expanded flowers have not yet been seen.

In 1817, Mr. Cunningham, in Oxley's first expedition, discovered a third

and very remarkable species in flower and unripe fruit, which he

referred, with a doubt, to Eremophila, and which M. Alphonse De Candolle

has recently separated, but as it seems to me on very insufficient

grounds, with the generic name of Eremodendron, established entirely on

Mr. Cunningham's specimens. A fourth species has lately been described by

Mr. Bentham, in Sir Thos. Mitchell's narrative of his Journey into

Tropical Australia; and some account of a fifth is given in the following

article.

These five species may be arranged in four sections, distinguished by the

following characters:

a. Folia opposita; sepala unguiculata. Eremophila oppositifolia. Br.

prodr. 1. p. 518.

b. Folia alterna; sepala unguiculata, eglandulosa; antherae exsertae.

E. Cunninghamii.

c. Folia alterna; sepala breve unguiculata, eglandulosa; stamina inclusa.

Eremophila Mitchelli. Benth. in Mitch. trop. Austr. p. 31. Eremophila

Sturtii.

d. Folia alterna glanduloso-tuberculata, sepala cuneato-obovata,

sessilia, glandulosa.

E. alternifolia. Br. prodr. i. p. 518.

This last species might be separated from Eremophila; it is not however

referable to Stenochilus, with some of whose species it nearly agrees in

corolla, but from all of which it differs in its glandular scariose

calyx.

20. EREMOPHILA (Sturtii), pubescens, foliis anguste linearibus apiculo

recurvo, corollis extus pubescentibus limbo intus barbato, staminibus

inclusis.

LOC. "On the Darling; flowers purplish, sweet-scented." D. Sturt.

DESC. Frutex orgyalis (D. Sturt.). Calyx 5-partitus, aequalis; sepalis

obovato-oblongis, basi angustioribus sed in unguem vix attenuatis,

membranaceis, uninerviis, venosis. Corolla bilabiata, tubo amplo recto,

labiis obtusis, extus pubescens, intus hinc (inferius) barbata. Labium

superius tripartitum; lobo medio bifido (e duobus conflato); laciniis

omnibus obtusis; inferius obcordatum bilobum lobis rotundatis, densius

barbatum. Stamina quatuor didynama, omnino inclusa. Filamenta glabra.

Antherae reniformes, loculis apice confluentibus. Ovarium dense lanatum.

Stylus glaber. Stigma indivisum, apice styli vix crassius.

OBS. Species proxima E. Mitchelli Benth. in Mitch. Trop. Austr. p. 31.

21. STENOCHILUS longifolius. Br. prodr. i. p. 517. Stenochilus

pubiflorus. Benth. in Mitch. trop. Aust. p. 273. Stenochilus salicinus.

Benth. in Mitch. trop. Austr. p. 251.

LOC. Nulla stationis indicatio.

22. STENOCHILUS maculatus, Ker in Bot. Regist. tab. 647. Cunningh. MSS.

1847.

b Stenochilus curvipes. Benth. in Mitch. trop. Austr. p. 221. Varietas S.

maculati, sepalorum acumine paulo breviore.

OBS. M. Alphonse De Candolle, in Prodr. xi. p. 715. refers S. ochroleucus

of Cunningh. MSS. 1817, as a variety to S. maculatus; it is however very

distinct, having a short erect peduncule like that of S. glaber, to which

it is much more nearly related, differing chiefly in its being slightly

pubescent.

23. GREVILLEA (EUGREVILLEA) Sturtii, foliis indivisis (nonnullis raro

bifidis) auguste linearibus elongatis uninerviis: marginibus arcte

revolutis, racemis oblongis cylindraceisve: rachi pedicellis

perianthiisque inexpansis glutinoso-pubescentibus, ovario sessili, stylo

glabro.

LOC. "On sand-hills in lat. 27 degrees S." D. Sturt.

DESC. Arbor 15-pedalis (Sturt.) Rami teretes, pube arcte adpressa

persistenti incani. Folia 6-10-pollices longa, vix tres lineas lata,

subter pubescentia incana, super tandem glabrata. Thyrsus terminalis, 2-4

uncialis, rachi pedicellisque pube erecta nec appressa secretione

glutinosa intermista. Flores aurantiaci.

OBS. In the collection presented to the British Museum by Sir Thomas

Mitchell, of the plants of his last expedition, there is a very perfect

specimen, in flower, of Grevillea Sturtii.

The following observations respecting the Grevilleae of the same

collection may not be without interest.

Grevillea Mitchellii, Hooker, in Mitch. Trop. Austr. p. 265, proves to be

Gr. Chrysodendron, prodr. fl. Nov. Holl. p. 379, the specific name of

which was not derived from the colour of the under surface of the leaves,

which is, indeed, nearly white, but from the numerous orange-coloured

racemes, rendering this tree conspicuous at a great distance.

Grevillea longistyla and G. juncea of the same narrative, both belong to

that section of the genus which I have named Plagiopoda.

A single specimen, in most respects resembling Gr. longistyla, of which

possibly it may be a variety, but which at least deserves notice, has all

its leaves pinnatifid, instead of being undivided. It may be

distinguished by the following character:--Grevillea (Plagiopoda)

neglecta, foliis pinnatifidis subtus niveis; laciniis linearibus, stylis

glabris.

A single specimen also exists of Grevillea (or Hakea) lorea, prodr. flor.

Nov. Holl. p. 380, but without fructification.

24. GREVILLEA (CYCLOPTERA?) lineata, foliis indivisis lineari-ens

formibus enerviis subter striis decem paucioribus elevatis uniformibus

interstitia bis-terve latitudine superantibus, cicatrice insertionis

latiore quam longa utrinque obtusa, racemis terminalibus alternis,

pistillis semuncia brevioribus stigmate conico.

LOC. "It takes the place of the gum-tree (Eucalyptus) in the creeks about

lat. 29 degrees 30 minutes S." D. Sturt.

OBS. It is difficult to distinguish this species, which, according to

Captain Sturt, forms a tree about 20 feet in height, from Grevillea

striata. I have endeavoured to do so in the above specific difference,

contrasted with which the leaves of G. striata have always more than 10

striae, which are hardly twice the breadth of the pubescent interstices,

and the cicatrices of whose leaves are longer than broad, and more or

less acute, both above and below. This is a source of character which in

the supplement to the Prodr. Florae Novae Hollandiae, I have employed in

a few cases both in Grevillea and Hakea, but which I believe to be

important, as it not only expresses a difference of form, but also in

general of vascular arrangement.

25. PTILOTUS (latifolius) capitulis globosis, bracteis propriis calycem

superantibus, foliis ovatis petiolatis.

LOC. "In lat. 26 degrees S."--D. Sturt.

DESC. Herba diffusa, ramosa, incana. Folia alterna, petiolata, lateovata,

integerrima. Capitula ramos terminantia, solitaria vel duo approximata.

Bracteae laterales scariosae, sessiles, late ovatae, enerviae.

Perianthium; foliolis subaequalibus, lana implexa alba basi tectis, ante

expansionem ungue nervoso tunc brevissimo, post anthesin laminam

scariosam enervem fere aequante. Stamina 5 antherifera; filamenta basi in

cyathulum edentulum connata. Antherae biloculares, loculis utrinque

distinctis medio solum conjunctis. Ovarium monospermum, glabrum. Stylus

filiformis, glaber. Stigma capitatum, parvum. Utriculus evalvis,

ruptilis.

OBS. I was at first inclined to consider this plant as a genus distinct

from Ptilotus, more, however, from the remarkable difference in habit

than from any important distinction in the flower, for its character

would have chiefly consisted in the great size of its lateral bracheae,

and in the form of its antherae.

In a small collection formed during the voyage of Captains Wickham and

Stokes, there is a plant very nearly related to, and perhaps not

specifically distinct from Ptilotus latifolius, but having narrower

leaves. It was found on one of the islands of Dampier's Archipelago.

26. NEURACHNE (paradoxa) glaberrima, culmo dichotomo, foliis rameis

abbreviatis, fasciculis paucifloris, glumis perianthiisque imberbibus

valvula exteriore cujusve floris septemnervia.

LOC. Nulla indicatio loci v. stationis, in Herbario. D. Sturt.

DESC. Gramen junceum, facie potius Cyperaceae cujusdam. Folia radicalia

in specimine unico viso defuere; ramos subtendentia abbreviata, vagina

aperta ipsum folium superante; floralia subspathiformia sed foliacea nec

membranacea. Fasciculi pauciflori: spiculae cum pedunculo brevissimo

articulatae et solubiles, et subtensae bractea nervosa carinata ejusdem

circiter longitudinis. Gluma bivalvis biflora, nervosa, acuta, mutica;

valvulae subaequales septemnerviae; exterioris nervis tribus axin

occupantibus sed distinctis reliquis per paria a marginibus et axilibus

subaequidistantibus; interioris nervis aequidistantibus, externis margine

approximatis. Perianthium inferius (exterius), bivalvis, neuter; valvula

exterior septemnervis, exteriori glumae similis textura forma et

longitudine; valvula interior (superior) angustior pauloque brevior,

dinervis, nervis alatis marginibus veris latis induplicatis. Perianthium

superius hermaphroditum, paulo brevius, pergamineo-membranaceum, nervis

dilute viridibus; valvula exterior quinquenervis, acuta, concava;

interior ejusdem fere longitudinis, dinervis. Stamina 3, filamentis

linearibus. Ovarium oblongum, imberbe. Styli duo. Stigmata plumosa,

pallida?

OBS. Neurachne paradoxa, founded on a single specimen, imperfect in its

leaves and stem, but sufficiently complete in its parts of

fructification, differs materially in habit from the original species, N.

alopeuroides, as well as from N. Mitchelliana of Nees, while these two

species differ widely from each other in several important points of

structure.

* * * * *

In undertaking to give some account of the more remarkable plants of

Captain Sturt's collection, it was my intention to have entered in some

detail into the general character of the vegetation of the interior of

Australia, south of the Tropic.

I am now obliged to relinquish my original intention, so far as relates

to detail, but shall still offer a few general remarks on the subject.

These remarks will probably be better understood, if I refer, in the

first place, to some observations published in 1814, in the Botanical

Appendix to Captain Flinders's Voyage.

From the knowledge I then had of New Holland, or Australian vegetation, I

stated that its chief peculiarities existed in the greatest degree in a

parallel, included between 33 degrees and 35 degrees S. lat. which I

therefore called the principal parallel, but that these peculiarities or

characteristic tribes, were found chiefly at its western and eastern

extremities, being remarkably diminished in that intermediate portion,

included between 133 degrees and 138 degrees, E. long. These observations

related entirely to the shores of Australia, its interior, being at that

period altogether unknown; and the species of Australian plants, with

which I was then acquainted, did not exceed 4200. Since that time great

additions have been made to the number, chiefly by Mr. Allan Cunningham,

in his various journeys from Port Jackson, and on the shores of the North

and North-west coasts during the voyages of Captain King whom he

accompanied; by Messrs. William Baxter, James Drummond, and M. Preiss, at

the western extremity of the principal parallel, and by Mr. Ronald Gunn

in Van Diemen's Land. It is probable that I may be considered as

underrating these additions, when I venture to state them as only between

two and three thousand; and that the whole number of Australian plants at

present known, does not exceed, but rather falls short of 7000 species.

These additions, whatever their amount may be, confirm my original

statement respecting the distribution of the characteristic tribes of the

New Holland Flora; some additional breadth might perhaps be given to the

principal parallel, and the extent of the peculiar families may now be

stated as much greater at or near its western, than at its eastern

extremity.

With the vegetation of the extra-tropical interior of Australia, we are

now in some degree acquainted, chiefly from the collections formed by the

late Mr. Allan Cunningham, and Charles Fraser, in Oxley's two expeditions

from Port Jackson into the western interior, in 1817 and 1818; from

Captain Sturt's early expeditions, in which the rivers Darling,

Murrumbidgee, and Murray, were discovered; from those of Sir Thomas

Mitchell, who never failed to form extensive collections of plants of the

regions he visited; and lastly, from Captain Sturt's present collection.

The whole number of plants collected in these various expeditions, may be

estimated at about 700 or 750 species; and the general character of the

vegetation, especially of the extensive sterile regions, very nearly

resembles that of the heads of the two great inlets of the south coast,

particularly that of Spencer's Gulf; the same or a still greater

diminution of the characteristic tribes of the general Australian Flora

being observable. Of these characteristic tribes, hardly any considerable

proportion is found, except of Eucalyptus, and even that genus seems to

be much reduced in the number of species; of the leafless Acaciae, which

appear to exist in nearly their usual proportion; and of Callitris and

Casuarina. The extensive families of Epacrideae, Stylideae, Restiaceae,

and the tribe of Decandrous Papilionaceae, hardly exist, and the still

more characteristic and extensive family of Proteaceae is reduced to a

few species of Grevillea, Hakea, and Persoonia.

Nor are there any extensive families peculiar to these regions; the only

characteristic tribes being that small section of aphyllous, or nearly

aphyllous Cassiae, which I have particularly adverted to in my account of

some of the species belonging to Captain Sturt's collection; and several

genera of Myoporinae, particularly Eremophila and Stenochilus. Both these

tribes appear to be confined to the interior, or to the two great gulfs

of the South coast, which may be termed the outlets or direct

continuation of the southern interior; several of the species observed at

the head of Spencer's Gulf, also existing in nearly the same meridian,

several degrees to the northward. It is not a little remarkable that

nearly the same general character of vegetation appears to exist in the

sterile islands of Dampier's Archipelago, on the North-west coast, where

even some of the species which probably exist through the whole of the

southern interior are found; of these the most striking instances are,

Clianthus Dampieri, and Jasminum lineare, and to establish this extensive

range of these two species was my object in entering so minutely into

their history in the preceding account.

A still greater reduction of the peculiarities of New Holland vegetation,

takes place in the islands of the South coast.

The End

End of Project Gutenberg's Expedition into Central Australia, by Charles Sturt