A T L A S OF AUSTRALIA—1S86.
The Coolibiir or I'looded (iiim, ii species of Kueati/ptus, ¡8 foiuid in
t,!ic ])lniiis i)i' tho intorior. iiud in tlio coviutry drained by tho many
rivei-8 which flnw into tlie Ciiilf of Cnrpeuturia. The leaves are used
iu tlio captnve of lisli; brandies of tLe tvco, placed in tlie water for
some time, act so effoctunlly in stiipefyitifr fisli in tlio vicinity, that tliey
are cnptiired «•ithoiit iiuy ti-ouble. Poultices aro made from the inner
bark, and used in cases of snake-bite.
Till! Jlessmftto or Olmbali, as it is called in the Mitchell district,
is a species of Eiimhjptns vei-y widely distribnted tbronghout
Anstnilin. Tho leaves of tlio yonng trees are crushed, and the mass
is steeped in water. This mL>:tui-e is driink as an antidote to
fever.
Atchoorgo, a large Ten-tree {Melalenca lewade-ndro«), is found in
tho low-lying lands on the raargins of the rivers of Northei-n Queensland.
Tlie sap of tlie young leaves is prescribed as n cure for colds
and sickness genei-ally. An oil is obtained from this tree.
Ifodda or Bulla Riilla (0,-imum Mnchim] is a small fragrant shrub
about two feet high, found in North Queensland, An e.ttract from
the leaves is used as a medioiue in cases of fever. It is sometimes
called bush-tea, and is used frequently in the preparation of a
hevorago resembling ten by European settlors.
For the manufacture of fishiug-lines, ropes, clothing of a rude
kind, mats, bags, and other articles which the necessities of existence
require, tho aborigiuos are amply supplied with materials in the %vilds
of the Ansti-alinn bush. From the bark of seveml trees a vory good
fibre is obtained, atid applied to various uses. These rude inhabitants
are even indebted to their native forest for ready-made means of
obtaining fire. They rub the wood of certain trees smartly together,
nntil friction produces smoke, and nltiioately Ere.
Flowers.—A large amount of sameness both in regard to vegetation
and other natural surroundings is, no doulit. characteristic of a
considerable portion of Australia, more especially the interior; but
it is equally evident to the careful obsei'ver, that throughout its length
and breadth, there ai-e beaut>' of landscape and vai-iety of the must
picturesque kind. In the coast district« and tablelands variety is met
with on every hand—here the meadow-knd on some rivor-bank, with
its mossy turf and the green of its surface dotted r.ver with the bright
hues of many flowers; and away in the distance the slopes of
a mountain-ridge covered with the bright yellow of the Mimos'f,
or the variegated inflorescence of the Eucalyptus or other liowei'ing
trees. Nature, as if to make amends for tho scantine.ss of food-plants
to be found in the Australian wilds, has decked the hiUs and
dales -with a profusion of beauty. Flowei-s of the brightest colours are
found iu secluded nooks all the year round. The winter, which
is mild over the greater part of the continent, impedes, but to a very
slight extent, the continued growth of the most delicate vegetable
life; and the only periodicity apparently necessai-y, is that which
affords the plants time to collect the elements of their gorgeous
colours from earth and air, and develop them in their petals.
On the eastern coast the Waratah, or Native Tulip, is perhaps
tho most brilliant in its hues and general appeai-ance. It surmount
a slender stem from two to six feet high, and from a light pink
it gradually develops into a deep rich crimson. In the defiles of
tho Blue Mountains these flowers are met with in great abundance.
In a valley where they are numerous, they suggest the idea of a
mantle of bright cardinal spread over tho whole, which, when viewed
in connection with the emerald foliage of the surrounding forest,
presents a scene very striking in its effect. Many of the smaller
species of Eucalyptus have veiy beautiful flowers, which, looked at m
masse, have a very picturesque appeariince iis they nestle amid tho
green of the larger forms. In other parts tho bright yellow blossoms
of the acacia, redolent with honey perfume, furaish a variety of scene
known only to those who have witnessed it.
Scattered at intervals on tho east and south coasts, are seen
the Native Heath {Epacris), which, though less showy in character,
yet adds its quota of beauty to the whole.
Among those of a more delicate texture but withal beautiful
and full of interest, are the Orchids, numerous species of which
are found in Australia. In the gigantic T<ily is seen a vory flno
specimen of Australian flora. It attains a height of about twelva
feet, and around its head clusters a cro^vn of rich crimson flowers.
Wax-like, delicato in appearance, and full of a beauty that is
most perfect in the complete absence of gaudineas or show, the
liook Lily is a flower that is much sought after. It is found
most frequently in country of a barren description, or in the glens
and rugged slopes of tho mountainous regions. Often high up
on a ledge of some rocky escarpment, with little or no soil from which
to draw nourishment save that which winds and rains disintegrate
from the surface, its e.Tquisitely-formed petals hang clustering don-n,
imparting life and beauty to the dark background of iirecipitous
cliffs. The beauty of the little Native Rose is of a quiet and
unobtrusive character. It is much in demand in the flowering .leason
for purposes of decoration.
In the brush-lands on the banks of many Australian i-ivor.s, may
be seen festoons of green leaves pendant from tall trees, which
support a numei-ous array of climbing plants springing frcun soil of
great fertility. Among these aro, WMaria ¡Iegttg}>erma, Lonchoairime,
Dcrri.i, Ripogoniim, Tecima, and Piissijloni Ilaiiksii. So dense is
the foliage overhead, where vines of this class entmne themselves,
that all around is a pei-petual shade into which the rays of the suunever
penetrate. In the allurial soils of New South Wales and Queensland,
are found that beautiful member of the myrtle family, Syzygvim
Mourei. The blossoms aro of a deep red colour and completely cover
the tree. Tho Trumpet Jasmine {Tccama jamiiwi'fes), and Wouga
Wonga vine {Tecoma Avstratis), are found in the mountainous
districts of New South Wales and Queensland.
Tree Foms have already been referred to; much of the wild beauty
of Austi-alian scenery is due to the Inxui-ianco of the branching fronds
of innumerablo ferns, which afford shelter and moisture to tho more
delicate members of the forest, in their vicinity. In various imrts
of tho mountaiuous and coast districts, the Christmas Hush, -vWth its
beautiful blossoms, is common, and is much sought after at the great
festival of Christian communities.
FAUNA.—Tho animal life of AustraUa is impressed with a
peculiarity that is doubtless due to tho isolated position of this
contineut with regard to the principal land-surfaces of our globe.
Thero is at least probability iu favour of the belief that tho
insular character of Australia is not coeval with its existence as
part of the laud, but is a subsequent result oE the forces of Nature
working through countless ages in the past. The supporters of
such a theory assume that it, with the oumei-OTis islands and gi'oups
comprising the East Indian Ai-chipelago, formed at ono time part
of Asia- 'I'ha fact that tho fauna of Australia is reiiresented to
a largo extent in those islands, and is widely different to that
of other countries, gives at least colour to such a supposition. As
some mighty river floods its banks, and leaves its waters in a depression,
perhaps far distant from its bed, cut off for ever from the main
stream in its downward course to the sea, there to remain isolated,
so tho great wave of primeval life in its progress over the earth's
surface may have poneti'ated lands, where, severed from tho main body
and free from the action of forces which are continually operating
thereon, it has differentiated, and produced results which diverge
from the ceirtral stock. In studying tho Flora of the continent,
and in attempting to trace the origin of tho aboriginal race, we
aro led to the conclusion that such a supposition is not without
The individuality developed iu the Australian fauna is perhaps
more marked in the higher forms. The great class Mammalia is
but indifferently represented; and only in ono or two orders can it be
said that the members are numerous. The Qtitzdrumana, Ruminants,
and Vai'hyiUrms of tho Old and New "World forests aro totally
absent. Of mammal life the marsupial is •without doubt the most
conspicuous in regard to numbers. The various species are met
with in every pai-t of Australia, and with the exception of Now
Guinea, the adjoining islands, and America, are not found now
in any other part of the world. Marsupial remains have been
unearthed in England and some parts of Europe, but as a race
of animals they have been extinct for ages. The Australian Margupialia
of the present are represented in the past by forms similar iu
structure, but generally larger, more clumsy, and much slower in
their movements. The remains which have been discovered at
various times in caves, and olsowhore, furnish ample ovidenco
of creatures gigantic in their proportions, which roamed the forests
I and plains in the remote |)ast. The kangaroos and opossums
I of to-day, are without doubt forms, which being better adapted to
a changed condition, have survived and multi)>licd, while their more
lowly-organised brethien have long since coasod to oxist. It is
probable that in tho less perfect dentition of tho I>!.prolodon,
Nototlieriiim, ZygomalvTus, and, Tliylacolcn, wn havo an element
which, in the lapse of time, would gi'adually tonil towards thoir
ultimate extinction. While plants covei'ed tho land under conditions
which produced a rank and luxuriant vogotation similar to that found
to obtain during the great Carboniferous ago, no difficulty would
be experienced by these huge unwieldy animals in procuring their
food. Every swamp with its succulent herbage would be a foedinggrouiid
for thousands of them. With the physical changes which
u.shercd in a different ordfr, and prepared the land for the present
I ora, would slowly but surely disappear the extensive swamp-growths;
LjrE-bird Emu . Kaltve Car Opossum Bandicool . Kosia or NaHne Bear,
flyinji Fox Wombaf ¿ptny Anr-catsr. Lau^qhin^Jackasi Fljin^ Squirrel, fianjsroo Wallsbjr Platypus. Cickaloo
Carpet Snake Glack Swan Oin^o or Naliv: Oaj. Nah've Companion.