attain with us the proportions of trees, which is not common in this order. Included among the Composite are very many beautiful everlastings which here, as elsewhere, are of wide distribution. Western Australia is specially rich in exquisite examples of these deservedly popular flowers. The genus Helichrysum contains some three score species, many of them of more than ordinary beauty. The allied genus Helipterum includes about forty species. Asters-many of them stronggrowing shrubs are rather more numerous than any other genus in this order, which, though one of the most extensive in the world, is fourth with us as regards the number of species. The native Daisies (Brachycome spp.) have representatives all over the colonies, including New Zealand; but the genus does not seem to extend beyond these limits. Among its two score species are many dainty, attractive, and meritorious plants.

Grasses are represented by a goodly number of species, though exceeded by the Cyperaceae. Extensive areas in the uninhabited interior produce little else but a so-called "Spinifex " (Triodia irritans), which is spiny and utterly useless as fodder. Its sharp spines caused considerable irritation to the legs of the unfortunate beasts of burden in all the exploring expeditions that crossed any extent of it. It affords shelter to a few native animals and reptiles which form the scanty food of the few nomadic and indolent natives who traverse occasionally these dreary regions. They burn the grass, and thus drive out their intended prey. The "Kangaroo Grass" (Anthistiria ciliata), or, as it should be called by priority, Themeda triandra (Anthistiria Forskälii), is a splendid fodder plant. It resists the

drought to which the continent is subject, and springs up into growth immediately after rain. "Grass-trees " are common in many parts. The leaves are long and wiry, and the white bases of the young inner leaves are edible and of a nutlike flavour. The flower spikes that surmount the tufts of leaves are frequently several feet in height. Grass-trees (Xanthorrhea spp.) are not grasses, but are allied to the Lilies, and were included among the Liliacea by our late distinguished Government Botanist. Of liliaceous plants we have many varieties. A number are small but none the less beautiful. Grass-lilies of brilliant hues adorn the pastures. The "Fringe-lilies"

(Thysanotus spp.) speedily arrest the attention of even the most casual observer by their exquisite beauty. It is difficult to say which is the more admirable, their delicate tints or the fairylike fringe from which these plants derive their generic and popular names. The "Queensland or Spear-lilies" (Doryanthes spp.) are strictly amaryllidaceous plants of huge size. They produce an excellent fibre. The Rutacea are represented by about 200 species. The native Fuchsias (Correa spp.) are handsome flowering shrubs. Eriostemon and Boronia are the largest genera, each possessing many horticultural desiderata. Boronia megastigma from Western Australia produces copiously its sombre-looking but exquisitely fragrant blossoms. Dried specimens in the herbarium will continue for years to emit this delicious perfume. Several other plants of this genus are of rich beauty.

Ficus macrophylla, the "Moreton Bay Fig," may be chosen to represent the genus Ficus, which includes some twoscore native species. It grows into a stately tree and produces large, handsome, glossy leaves. Another representative of the order Urticacea, the "Tree-nettle" (Laportea gigas), has already been referred to. The sting of this nettle causes such severe pain as to actually drive cattle mad when they inadvertently brush against the branches.

Epacrids of delicate and almost inconceivable beauty cover immense areas. They are locally known as "Native Heaths." They are allied to the true Heaths (Ericacea), which outwardly they somewhat resemble, but differ in structure and dehiscence of anthers. A by no means uncommon, but never-to-be forgotten, sight is an extensive tract, called a "heathbed," covered with these beautiful plants in full bloom and exhibiting the richest as well as the most delicate tints. The genus Styphelia is the richest in species. Several plants of this order (Epacridea) possess more than ordinary horticultural merit, but many of them seem averse to artificial culture—a characteristic which they share with many other desirable native plants. Epacris impressa is a striking feature among our indigenous vegetation. Its brilliant and copiously borne blossoms and the vast numbers of individual plants render it exceedingly noticeable and attractive in many an Australian scene. It exhibits great variation in colour, from purest white to brilliant

red, with every conceivable tint between. Of Palms we have but few examples, but many of them are of imposing appearance. These are chiefly confined to the eastern colonies. Even in the desert interior, however, travellers have occasionally come across stately species which mark out veritable oases.

Of Orchidea we possess hardly 300 species, many of them exhibiting the grotesque but nevertheless superb beauty which characterises this order. We have about half a hundred genera, many of which, however, are here represented by a single species. Of these exquisitely beautiful plants the genera possessing most species are Dendrobium, Prasophyllum, Caladenia, Pterostylis (often with sensitive labellum and greenish flowers), Thelymitra, Sarcochilus, and Diuris, the pretty little "double-tailed Orchids." Many of these are small but of rare and delicate beauty and rich perfume. Of Ferns we can boast not only a number of species, but large areas in our enchanting "ferngullies," profusely covered with the exuberant growth of many handsome and stately as well as delicate varieties. Fern-trees of graceful palm-like habit grow in great profusion in humid forest glens, and represent the genera Alsophila, Dicksonia, and Cyathea, while the dwarf but massive trunk of our Osmunda (Todea) barbara, endemic to the southern part of the eastern hemisphere, has frequently been known to attain a weight of considerably over a ton.

The lofty stems of some of our Fern-trees are clothed with a living mass of verdure, consisting of filmy and other tender ferns, representing the genera Trichomanes and Hymenophyllum, amongst which the cosmopolitan Hymenophyllum Tunbridgense may frequently be seen. Draping also the spongy trunks of these graceful Tree-ferns are exquisite examples of the genera Polypodium, Aspidium, Gleichenia, and others. In my "Census of Plants of the Cape Otway Forest" I have recorded from that romantic region forty-three species of these interesting and shade-loving plants, all of which are well worthy of cultivation. An Australian fern-gully presents a truly magnificent sight. Overhead the tops of gigantic Eucalypts form an interlaced canopy and filter the rays of the summer sun. Beneath these the undergrowth forms another and a denser canopy. This shelters the majestic palm-like tree ferns, whose graceful feathery fronds form again a grateful shade for humbler and more tender

species. Every shade of green is here seen. stream babbles musically below.

The unfailing

Spanning its fern-shaded

waters here and there are natural bridges-the huge decaying trunks of prostrate forest giants. These, like the Fern-tree trunks, are daintily draped with tender ferns and delicate mosses, which here grow in richest profusion. Mint-trees (Prostanthera spp.) laden with their beautiful blossoms add a new aspect to the scene, which forms an ideal earthly paradise, and entirely baffles description.

One Baobab (Adansonia Gregorii) is found in Northern, or more strictly in North-Western, Australia, while the Bottle-trees, of the genus Brachychiton (Sterculia), are remarkable for their gouty trunks. B. Delabechei, F. v. M. (Sterculia rupestris, L.), the Queensland Bottle-tree, is of a most quaint appearance. B. acerifolius, the "Flame-tree," presents a gorgeous appearance when in full bloom. Its brilliant blossoms are borne in great abundance, and the flower stalks partake of the vermilion hue of, the flowers. At the same time the effect is heightened by the shedding of the large and glossy leaves. Of food plants Australia possesses hardly any. The few edible fruits are for the most part remarkably insignificant. A few yield also (dible leaves or roots, but the flora is exceptionally poor in plants suitable for human food.

Timber-producing species are numerous. Many of the seasoned native woods possess a specific gravity greater than that of water, and are remarkable for durability. Medicinal plants are not particularly well represented, or, at any rate, their medicinal qualities are not known. The Eucalypts yield the well-known and widely used antiseptic oil; the Alstonias spp. yield a tonic bitter, useful as a febrifuge; Euphorbia pilulifera is commonly known as the "asthma herb," from its use in that ailment; the Gentianea and many others possess valuable tonic properties. While there are others deserving notice, yet many indigenous plants enjoy a quite unearned reputation for medicinal or curative virtues.

Interesting examples of insectivorous plants are included in the genera Nepenthes (three species), Cephalotus follicularis, Drosera spp., and Utricularia, which I have fully dealt with in my lecture, Insect Traps, "Geelong Naturalist," vol. v. No. 4. In a superficial and rambling way I have noted a few of

what I thought were the most striking points in our flora, chiefly such as possessed interest from a horticultural or utilitarian standpoint. The topic, however, is so great that all we could possibly do would be to glean a few ears of corn from a field white with harvest.

EXAMINATION IN HORTICULTURE.

1898.

The Annual Examination in the Principles and Practice of Horticulture was held on April 6: 190 candidates presented themselves for examination. Of this number 155 were from all parts of England and 11 from Scotland; 19 gave no address on their papers.

Three hundred marks were allotted as a maximum, and all candidates who obtained 200 marks and upwards were placed in the first class. The total number was 87, or 45.7 per cent.

Those who received 150 and less than 200 marks were

placed in the second class. The number was 61, or 32.6 per

cent.

Those who obtained 100 and upwards were ranked in the third class. The number was 36, or 190 per cent.

The highest number of marks was awarded to Miss O. M. Harrisson, of the Horticultural College, Swanley.

The great advantage of systematic training is seen in the fact that of the pupils, c.g. of the Swanley College 24 were in the first class and only 4 in the second. Of those of the Technical School of Stafford, there were 12 in the first and 7 in the second class; of the County School of Horticulture, Chelmsford, 8 were in the first class and 4 in the second; while of the Horticultural School, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, 6 were in the first class and 4 in the second.

Comparing the results with those of last year, we find that the number in the first class has slightly decreased, viz. from 89 to 87. In the second class there is an increase from 55 to 61; and also in the third class from 28 to 36. Those not placed