MR. W. WOOLTLI ON 1KTROT)UCED PLANTS NEAR 8TDBF.Y. 35

flat depressed disks appear surrounded with i t in an irregular crenulate manner. The verrucae of the under surface are oblong in form, particularly townrcls thc margins of the thallus, and are more or less apically flnttcncd, frequently expa~~ding towards the umbilicus into irregular flnttcned arcol,r, with morc or less of a furfuraceous appearance.

PLATE IV. Fig.17, U.Jnso-virescens, nnt.size, in profile; fig. 18, uncler surface of tliallus, nnt. sizc, showing nnibilicns ; fig. 19, tlialliis seen from above, nnt. size ; fig. 20. portion of the unclvr snrface, mngn. ; fig. 21, vrrrucre of under surface, mngn. ; fig. 22, apothccin, mn,nn. ; fig. 23, vertical section of thnllus nnrl npotheria; fig. 24, mlargcd section of tlinllus ; fig. 25, nscus, spores, mid parnphyscs ; fig. 26, spores, mngn. 600 j fig. 27, arthrosterigmata and spermntia nttaclicd, magn. ; fig. 28, qicrmatia detacltd, mngn.

Notes 011 Introduced Plnuls occurring i 11 tlw Neighbourhood By W. WOOLLS, F.L.S. In a 1cttc.r to the Pre- of Sydney.

R i dent.

[Read Dcccniber 20, 1866.1

Mr n u n SrR,-Thinking that i t may not be uninteresting to you to liave a list of thc plants introduced accidentally into this nc.ighbourhood, I feel a pleasure in forwarding one. I f 1 had enjoyed the opportunity of visiting other parts of this vast con- tinent, I dare say that I should bc ahlc to furnish a much larger list ; but occupied as I am in duties which keep me very much at Iionic, iny observations have not extended beyond fifty or sixty iiiilis froiii Parramatta.

TEALAMIFLOE~E.

( Papaverace=).

Argemone Xexicana.

(Cruciferm).

Capselln bursa-pastoris. Senebiern didyma. Xisymbrium o$icin N 7e. Sinapis arvensis. Baplrnnus ~ n t i ~ s .

D 2

36 MR. W. WOOLLS ON INTRODUCED PLANTB NEAR BYDNEY.

(Malvacese) . Malva sylvestris. M. rotundzyolia. M; crbpa. Xida retwa or rhombiflia *. Gistaria coccinea.

(Caryophyllep). ,Polycarpon tetraphyly2lzcm. Stellaria media. Cerastiwm vulgatum. Silene Qallica. Spergula arvensis. Dianthus prolifer. Agrostemma githago.

(Fumariaceae) . lkmaria o$icinalis.

(GCeraniaceE) . Pelargonium graveolens. Erodium moschatum.

(Lineae). Linum Qalliczcm.

(Portulaceae). Portwlaca oleracea.

(Phytolaccaceae) . Phytolacca octandra.

CALYOIFLORB. (Compositae t).

Erigeron canadense. E. linifolium. Qnaphalium kteo-album. a. l i t d i c m ? carduus ikfarianus. Onoporduna acanthium.

* Probably indigenous. t With respect to some of the Composites which have sprung up in this

district, I am not ablc to decide whether they are really importations from abroad, or simply from other parts of the continent.

ME. W. WOOLLS ON INTUODUCED PLANT0 NEAR SJDKEI'. 37

Tanacetm uulyare. Pyrethrum parthegzium. Anthemis cotztla. A. ltobilis. Bidens tripartita ? Tagetes naiwta. Cichorium intybu-s. Soncirus oleraceus. Tarnxacitrn dens-leonis. Hypocliceris radicatn. H. hispida. Crepis tectorwm. Galinsoyea parviJEora ? Siegesbeckia orientalis ? Centaurea solstitidis. Senecio vulgaris. Chrysanthemum s q e t m . Xvagopogon porrifoliolizis. Xanthium spinosum.

(Leguminoss). Vicia sativa. Mclilotus parvayora. Goodia polyqermtc. Trayolim repens. U / e x Europeus. Lespedeza (indigenous). Niedicayo nigra. M. lupulina. M. rnaculata.

(Euyliorbinccze) . Riciltus coinrnunis *. Euphodia peplus. E. ehamcesyce (indigenouH). E. helioscopia.

(Ompea) . Epilobiunt roseurn. mnothera biennis. iE. rosea ?

* Tho Castor-Oil, in fsvourablc loculitiefi, especially to tllc north, becomes H trec of 20 or 30 feet high.

38 MR, W. WOOLLS ON INTRODUCED PLhPTTB NEAR BPDXEy.

(Rosaceae) .

(Urnbellifera?). Rosa rrhiginoaa.

Sium Eatifo&m (rare). F ~ n i c u l m vulgare. Caldasia or Oreoomyrrhis (rare, native).

COROLLIFLORB. ( Asclepiadeae) .

(Convolvulaceae) .

(Lamiaceae).

Gomphocarpwrfiuctico8w.

Cuscuta epithymm *.

Stachys arvelzsis. . dl4rrubizurra vulgare.

(Plantagineec). Plantayo kmceolata. P . major.

Anagallia arvensis. A. cumlea.

Antirrhinum orontbz . finaria spuria.

(Primulacea?).

(Scrophularinz).

(Solanea). Physnlis pubcscens. Nicandra physaloides. Datura stramonium. Solanum nigrum.

(Vcrbcnaces), Verbena Bonariensis.

(Monochlamydeae). Chenopodium murale. C. mbrosiodes. Rumex crispus. R. sanguineus.

* Probably the Australian plant.

MR. W. WOOLLS ON INTRODUOED PLANTS NEAR SYDNEY. 39

R. acetosella. Urtica urens. U. dioica. Sisyrinchium mierafithum. S. anceps. Cyperus hydra. Poa annua. Hordeum marinum. ? Lolium temulmtu9n. Holcus lanatus. ? Panicum ciliatzcm. ? Cynodon dactylon (iiidigenous). ? Lappago racentosa (indigenous).

I n the preceding list, I have confined myself to the enumera- tion of those plants which have established themselves in cultivated ground. Some few of them, however, find their way into the woods; but the greater majority prefer gardens and fields. I have seen Capsella bursa-pastoris and Sisyrnbriwm oflcinale grow- ing in the back streets of Parramatta; but the rest of the intro- duced Crucifers sprung up amongst the wheat, barley, and oats. Cristaria coccinea is becoming a troublesome weed to the settlers, and Sida rhombifolia is increasing rapidly ; but the latter is Uely to prove useful for its strong fibre. Polyca9polt tetraphyllum and Stellaria media are plentiful in gardens ; and, although supposed to be indigenous, the latter differs very much in habit from the same species when growing in shady creeks &c. Erodium mos- chatwm has certainly come here accidentally ; but probably the strong-scented Pelargonim has escaped from a garden. It has a wonderful tendency, however, to adapt itself to sandy soil near the coast, and has spread very widely through the colony. Por- tulaca oleracea is indigenous in some parts of Australia ; but as it never appears here excepting in cultivated places, I am inclined to regard our variety as an importation. This weed is some- times used as a vegetable for eating, and cows are very fond of it. Phytolacca octarcdra is abundant in the neighbourhood of Sydney, and seems likely to follow the railway into the interior. It is sometimes employed for medicinal purposes ; and if any method can be devised for fixing the colour, the juice of the berries will become a valuable dye. The introduced Composites are com- paratively numerous, and some of them are exceedingly trouble- some weeds, especially Erigeron canadmse, E. linifolius, Cen-

40 XU. W. WOOLLS ON INTRODUCED PLAXTS NEAR S I D X E P

taurea solstitial&, and Xanthiwm spiwosum. The last-mentioned is tlie Bathurst Bur, which does so much injury to the wool in some districts. Carduw Marianus is regarded as a great pest in some places, but it has been found useful for fodder where grass is ecarce, especially when it is cut down and suffered to become partially dry. After the last floods, Z’agetes and Tragopogon appeared abundantly on the Nepean ; and Cicho- hum, which was originally cultivated, has Eprung up sponta- neously in the same locality. Chrysanthemum segetum is rare. Goodia polyspernza has firmly established itself in this neigh- bourhood; and, until I read your remark respecting it, I was under the impression that it was indigenous. Zelilotus pm*- vgora has become a great nuisance to the agriculturist, as it grows with the wheat, and imparts a peculiar flavour to the %our. It is known by the name of Scented Trefoil; and some millers have so much objection to any wheat affected by it, that they refuse to purchase grain from those districts where it is known to prevail. Some species of Medicago have a troublesome bur (though not so injurious as that of Xanth im) ; and the cultivated a. sativa has lately been much infested with Cuscuta epithymzuna. This has prevailed to such an extent in some parts of the colony that the crops have been most seriously affected by it. W e have some species of C w m t a which are indigenous ; but the parasite in question has been introduced with seeds from Europe, and seems likely to occasion trouble and loss to the farmers. hpi- b b i m r o s m has come to Australia amongst grass-seeds, but C!Cnothera has probably found its way from gardens. Rosa rubi- ginosa springs up so rapidly in fields that it materially retards the growth of the grass ; and it becomes necessary to destroy it where- ever practicable. The Umbelliferre springing up Rpontaneously are very limited. Sium and Caldasia appear occasionally ; but 3ceni- culum vulgare is the only one that returns regularly. Oompho- earpu, or, as it is commonly called, “ Wild Cotton,” has spread very widely throughout the colony, and is regarded as a nuisance by the settlers. The milkyjuice of it is reported to be highly injurious, and the plants themselves are frequently covered with Aphides. Staohys amensis is useful in the winter season as food for cows. Many cart-loads of i t have been cut down for that purpose in the orange-orchards near Parramatta ; but I am informed that, when the plants are old, they impart an un- pleasant flavour to the milk. The uses of Narrubium and Plan- fa+p are too well known to need any remarks ; and the pretty

ME. W. WOOLLS ON INTBODUCED PLANTS KEAR SIDNEY. 41

little Afiagallis is as plentiful here as in Europe. Physalis, or “ Cape Gooseberry,” has long been known in Australia ; and as the fruit is available for jam, it is not to be regretted that it is 80

well adapted to our climate. Nicandra physaloides appears in many gardens ; and I am sorry to add that Datura stramonium, though useful in asthmatical complaints, has occasioned the death of several children who, from time to time, have swalloaed the seeds. Solanum n i g r m seems to have two varieties here. The one is indigenous ; the other is identical with the European plant, and has probably come here with English seeds. It is remark- able that the children eat the berries of S. nigrum with impunity. Rumex acetosella is a troublesome weed in orchards, but not so iiijurious as Cyperus hydra, which is occasioning much incon- venience to gardeners in Sidney. The late Mr. W. 8. Macleay, F.L.S., assured me that he had tried every expedient to remove the weed, but without succesg. I fear that, unless some means of eradicating it can be devised, many gardens will be ruined ; for i t tieems to outgrow everything else. At first it did not extend beyond the neighbourhood of Sidney, but within the last ten years it has established itself in Parramatta and some of the in- land towns. A pretty little Sisyrinchium (S. micranthum) is very plenliful in our fields here in the spring. This has sometimes been mistaken for Brown’s Renealmia pulchella, a plant which I liilve uever yet seen. There is on the Mittagong range a small variety of R.pmiculata, which perhaps may be allied to it. I am inclined to think, however, that the true R.pulchella is a New Zealand plant, and not indigenous here. With respect to the introduced grasses I feel some difficulty, because, in the early days of the colony, many European and Indian grasses were sown in this neighbourhood. It seems to me highly probable that Hordeum marinum, Lolium temulentum and Holcus lanatus, found their way here accidentally; but whether Paniclcm ci- Eiatum and Cynodota dactylon are really indigenous or not I am not certain ; for, although described by Brown, they appear only in cultivated land in this part of the colony.

The various ways in which plants become accidentally accli- matized afford much interest to the observer. In some in- stances the causes can be clearly traced, such as (1) the mixture of other seeds with grass, clover, and garden herbs, (2) the use of different weeds, either wholly or in part, in packing-cases, (3) the tenacity with which the seed-vessels of some plants ad- here to the manes and tails of horses, (4) the presence of seeds

42 PROF. OLIVER OH THREE NEW QENERA

in some imported manures, and (5 ) the migrations of birds from one country to another, and the in%uence of periodical winds and tides. All these causes are in daily operation, and are topics worthy of consideration ; but perhaps it may be equally profit- able to notice the extraordinary facility with which some plants adapt themselves at once to the soil and climate, whilst others spring up, languish for a time, and die out. This peculiarity gives an indication of the kind and character of many plants which might be profitably introduced into the colony. It may be regarded, indeed, as a hint furnished by nature for the benefit of the inhabitants.

With much respect, I remain, &.c. &c. &c. WILLIAM WOOLLB.

Parramatta, September 20, 1866.

Description of Three New Genera from West Tropical Africa, belonging to the Natural Orders Guttiferm, Olacinece and Celas- trace@. By Professor OLIVER, Kceper of the Kew Herbarium.

[Read December 20,1866.]

ALLANBLACKIA *, genus novum Guttiferarum. Flores dioici : Xepala 5, orbicularia, late imbricata, interiora

majora, coriacea, margine scariosa. Petala 5 , late obovato- cuneatrt, sepalis longiora, alabastro imbricata et in globum conniventia. Flores cf : Stmima 6-adelpha, phalangibus petalis oppositis, crassis, cuneato-spathulatis, apice dilatatis, antheraa sessiles sursum et introrsum gerentibus ; anthem liberre, late ellipticse v. rotundatre, longitudinaliter dehis- centes. Discus centralis Ei-lobus, lobis plus minus expla- natis, phalangibus andrcecii alternantibus, intus tranaversim cormgatis. Flores 9 : Discus (androecii rudimentum ?) bre- via, crassus, lobatus, ovarii basin cingens. Ovariwna conicum, crassurn, placentis 6 multiovulatis prominulis haud coalitis,

* Dedicated to the memory of my late friend Mr. Allan Black, Associate of the Lirinean Society, for several years Curator of the Kew Herbarium. Through his hands nearly all the collections received at Kew &om West Tropical Afica pssscd ; and to his very extensive knowledge of plants and untiring industry we greatly owe the present accessible state of these collections, aa well aa pre- liminary analyses and notes upon many of the more remarkable specics.