III.—Botany.

Batrachospermeæ.

Chætophoraceæ.

Confervaceæ

Cladophora lyallii is described by Hooker—“Handbook N. Z. Flora,” p. 717, and “Fl. N.Z. Ant. Voyage,” vol. ii. p. 262. He mentions it as having been found in Stewart Island.

Cladophora crispata occurs in Kerguelen's Land, Hooker “Ant. Voyage.”

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Cladophora, sp. n. (1), I found in gently flowing water, attached by a short stem to a piece of iron pipe. It is nearly spherical in shape, about 1/12″ in diameter, tufted, green. Filaments bright green, alternately branched, articulations 1½ to 2 times longer than broad, slightly constricted at the nodes. Branches of two kinds—chætophorous, of which the articulations are 2–3 times longer than broad, filled with endochrome, ending in elongated bristly processes; and sporiferous with articulations constricted at the nodes, cells from ½ to 1½ times as long as broad, terminal cells sometimes clubbed. Capsular fructification on some of the rami either terminal or shortly stipitate. Fig. 2.

Cladophora, sp. n. (2). Filaments have a distinct gelatinous investment. Cells three times longer than broad. Here and there, mostly at attachment of rami, occur large hexagonal cells, very like the inflated cells of œdogonium, containing a circular spore. Terminal cells elongated, tapering to a rounded point. Antheridial cells broader than long, spores subglobose, compressed. Free zoospores I have seen only once, and failed to discover cilia. Fig. 3.

Zygnemaceæ

This family is tolerably abundant in the locality. I have, I think, been able to discriminate all the species that have come under my observation, with one exception. In this specimen the band of endochrome commences at one end of the cell, and after making a spiral and a half reaches the further extremity of the cell, where it bends upon itself, and after another spiral and a half reaches the end from which it started; here it bends a second time, and finally terminates at the opposite end of the cell, forming altogether a series of figure-of-8 knots. Fig. 4.

In this family the normal mode of reproduction is by the conjugation of cells of distinct filiaments; it is distinctly diœcious. In certain cases, however, and they are not uncommon, the endochrome of a filament appears to have the power of self-fertilization, and spores are formed in the cells either with or without communication with contiguous cells. In this process we have a close analogy with the peculiar phenomenon of self-fertilization

seen in some normally wind- or insect-fertilized flowers at certain seasons. In fact, we find cleistogamous flowers in our subaqueous plants as well as in their aerial congeners.

Œdogoniaceæ.

• Œdogonium ciliatum (?), H., lii.

• " compressum, H., liii.

Oscillatoriaceæ.

Oscillatoria.—I have no doubt that with further research this list may be indefinitely extended. The characters of some of the species are not very distinctly marked; and I imagine their nomenclature is not yet settled. Certainly the description and figure of O. autumnalis as given by Hassall are very different from those in the Micrographic Dictionary. The peculiar characteristic of this genus, from which its name is derived, is the singular movements of the filaments. What the cause of these move-ments is has been the subject of some speculation, but has not been determined. No special organs of motion have been discovered. Whether they are vital or merely mechanical phenomena, is at present impossible to decide. I have seen them in plants which had been immersed many days in Hantzsch's fluid still continuing, feebly but quite perceptibly. The movements are of two kinds—oscillatory and progressive. In the first, the filament, being apparently fixed at one end, sways backwards and forwards upon a centre like the pendulum of a clock, and it may either remain in a state of rigidity, or may curve with a flexibility resembling that of the long thin branch of a tree when agitated by the wind. The other movement is one of direct progression. A filament will, after a period of quiescence, begin to move forward, end on as it were, and having

advanced a certain distance will, without any discoverable cause, suddenly reverse the direction and, retrograde. It is a very interesting sight some-times to watch these minute organisms in their advance across the field of the microscope. I have seen in O. tenuis the two or three end cells waving backwards and forwards slowly and deliberately as though the filament were feeling its way across the field of view. On meeting an obstacle, such as another Alga, the filament would halt as though it were investigating the nature of the obstruction—if the Alga happened to lie at an acute angle the Oscillatoria would accommodate itself and move along the side in contact with it; if, however, it lay at a right angle, it would, after a short examination, pass either over or under it, and continue its onward march, or occasionally begin to move backwards, and so retrace its steps. In one specimen the terminal cell was surmounted by a short bristle, which was used apparently as a feeler. The singular deliberative motions I have attempted to describe, I have never seen except when the filament was moving forward; they do not seem to occur when it is performing a movement of retrogression.

Oscillatoria, sp. n.? The usual method of reproduction in this genus is stated to be by the breaking up of the filaments, each articulation of which then takes upon itself the functions of a gonidium. I believe, however, they do sometimes emit spores, though I have not had an opportunity of watching them after their detachment from the parent filament. And in one instance—a specimen occurring as a purple stratum on a damp stone, which I have not been able to specify—there appears to be a series of special sporiferous cells, amongst, but quite distinct from, the ordinary articulation. (Fig. 5.)

Lyngbya, common.

Polypothrix distorta (?). I do not feel sure of this species, as I have seen only a single specimen.

Nostochaceæ.

Nostoc commune, M. Dic., 4.

" verrucosum, H., lxxvi.

Ulvaceæ.

Enteromorpha intestinalis, H., lxxvii; M. Dic, 5.

Ulva bullosa, H., lxxviii.

" crispa, H., lxxviii.

Tetraspora (lubrica?), H., lxxviii.

Palmellaceæ

Microhaloa rupestris, M. Dic., 3.

Botrydina vulgaris, H., lxxxi.

Coccochloris vulgaris, M. Dic, 3.

" protuberans, H., lxxvi.

Pleurococcus.

Hydrocytrum acuminatum, M. Dic., 45.

Desmidiaceæ (including Pediastreæ).

Pediastrum tetras, and P. heptactis are both common.

" pertusum. Intestines of the frond hyaline; some of the inner cells are gone, therefore the foraminal appearance is uncertain. The rectangularity of the outer row of cells and the shape of the notch point to pertusum. On the other hand, the number of rows, and the number of circumferential cells, might lead one to infer a new species. On careful comparison, however, I am inclined to consider it as an unusually large specimen of P. pertusum. Number of rows, five; number of cells in inner circle, five. The two next rows are broken down. The fourth circle contains apparently eighteen, and the outer one—the fifth—twenty-one cells. Fig. 9.

Pediastrum, sp.n. Frond square, divided into four equal lobes by a crucial hyaline division. Lobes divided into segments by a deep narrow notch, which extends from the four corners towards the centre of the frond, the segments again partially subdivided by a broad shallow notch. Side view, four cells placed end to end, the central ones about twice the size of the terminal. Although at first sight so very unlike, there is a remarkable similarity between this plant and P. tetras; in fact, the only point of difference consists in the secondary segmentation of the lobes. Fig. 10.

Scenedesmus quadricauda. I have placed before you a figure of this Desmid, because it shows the unusual phenomenon of a broad well-defined coating of hyaline matter external to the cells, and further that the bristles are appendages of the investing coat and not of the cells themselves. Fig. 11.

Diatomaceæ

Meridion constrictum, H., xevi.; M.Dic, 12.

Diatoma elongatum, H., xciv.

" vulgare, H., xciv.; M.Dic., 12.

" grande, M.Dic.

Melosira.

Campylodiscus costatus, M.Dic., 12.

Surirella bifrons, M. Dic., 13.

Synedra splendens, H., xcvii.

Cocconeis placentula.

Navicula.

Gyrosigma macrum, M.Dic., 11.

" attenuatum, M.Dic., 11.

Pinnularia oblonga, M.Dic., 11.

Stauroneis phænicenteron, M.Dic., 11.

Encyonema.

The usual modes of multiplication of the Diatomaceæ are stated to be either division or conjugation. Facke however suspected, though he did not actually observe, a formation of spores or gonidia such as are found in many of the filamentous Confervoids. This method of reproduction I believe I have seen in Synedra ulna. In the autumn of last year I found, amongst a growth of Spirogyræ and Oscillatoriæ, a number of unusually large specimens of Synedra, some of such magnitude as to be visible to the naked eye. They were active, and evidently in a state of vigorous growth.

In fig. 12 I have endeavoured to depict the various stages of sporidial growth: a shows a full-grown Synedra with the endochrome diffused throughout the frond; at b the endochrome is beginning to gather itself into a distinct mass; at c it has divided, and a portion is attached to each of the frus-tules, and a division into definite masses is commencing; at d this division is complete, the masses forming lenticular bodies; at e they have moved into pairs, so that their convex surfaces are in contact; in the next stage (f) each pair has united and formed an elliptical spore; at g the frustule has been ruptured, and the spores are escaping. The escaped spores were evidently held together by a hyaline substance, and exhibited the peculiar motion termed swarming; h, i, j, show different stages of growth of the young Synedræ, until, at k, a perfect siliceous deposit has been formed, and the young Diatom is ready to recommence the whole process so soon as its endochrome is sufficiently mature.

Volvocineæ.

Hæmatococcus.—I have had a colony of this protophyte in my possession for two years. I first discovered it in a jar which happened to be standing in the rain and was half filled with water. By keeping water continually in the jar the supply of Hæmatococcus has never failed. Mr. Hamilton, of Petane, also brought me a sample in the wool of a sheep.^*

Art. XLIV.—On some Additions to the Flora of New Zealand.

By T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S.

This is nearest to L. filifolium, but differs in its stemless habit, smaller size, more numerous leaves with much more copious divisions, and in the shorter peduncles.

Hab.—Grassy slopes on Mount Arthur, Nelson, alt. 4,000–5,500 feet.

3. Poranthera alpina, n.sp.

Small, perfectly glabrous, 2–4 inches high. Branches numerous, decumbent or suberect, usually densely compacted and interlaced, hard and woody at the base, scarred. Leaves opposite, all uniform, crowded, sessile or narrowed into a very short petiole, linear-oblong, quite entire, obtuse, ⅛–⅕. inch long, smooth and veinless above, margins usually so much revolute as to conceal the whole of the under surface except the very thick and prominent midrib. Stipules large, triangular, entire or very slightly jagged, persistent. Flowers apparently diœcious; minute, greenish-white, shortly pedicelled, solitary in the axils of the upper leaves, and thus forming short leafy terminal heads. Males:—Labyx divided nearly to the base into 5 oblong segments. Petals wanting in all the flowers examined. Stamens 5, alternating with 5 rounded green glands. Females:—Labyx, etc., as in the males. Stamens, 0; ovary large, rounded, 6-lobed, 3-celled, ovules 2 in each cell. Capsule globose-depressed, apparently splitting into 3 cocci, but not seen perfectly ripe.

Hab.—Rocky ledges on Mount Arthur, Nelson, ascending to within a short distance of the summit of the mountain. Alt. 6,000ft.

This is a most unexpected and interesting addition to our Flora, and is perfectly distinct from any of the Australian species. The only other plant of the genus known from New Zealand is P. microphylla, Brong., which I discovered in the Nelson district in 1878.^*

4. Triglochin palustre, L.

In January, 1880, when botanizing in the Canterbury mountains with my friend Mr. J. D. Enys, numerous specimens of a plant clearly referable to this species were collected, by a small tributary of the Broken river, at an altitude of about 2,500ft., and Mr. Enys has since met with it in several localities in the vicinity of the first station. T. palustre is a common plant in the northern hemisphere, being found throughout Northern and Central Europe, North Africa, North Asia to the Himalaya Mountains, and in North America. In the South Temperate Zone it has as yet only been recorded from Chili. T. palustre may be distinguished from T. triandrum, our only other native species, by its much larger size (some of my Canterbury specimens are nearly two feet high), stouter scape, more numerous flowers, and particularly by the linear-clavate fruit.

Art. XLV.—Contributions to a Flora of the Nelson Provincial District.

By T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S., Curator of the Auckland Museum.

arrived at, until we possess carefully compiled lists of the plants of all the chief portions of the colony. The volumes of the “Transactions of the New Zealand Institute” bear witness that something has been done in this direction; but much more will be required before a firm basis is afforded for future work. As a slight contribution to the literature of the subject, I propose to give a list of the plants observed by myself during two visits to the Nelson Provincial District, in 1878 and 1881, when I was enabled to travel over a considerable portion of the district, and to make large collections, especially of the alpine species. Of course, it will be fully under-stood that my list can have no claim to completeness. To collect the material for even a tolerably complete catalogue of the plants of the Nelson district (or any other of similar area) would involve the expenditure of much time and labour, and is a work that can only be efficiently performed by local observers, who possess the great advantage of being able to examine the vegetation at all seasons of the year, and with more leisure and circumspection than can be given by a casual traveller, however industrious he may be. At the same time, the list will be found to represent all the chief features of the vegetation, and is probably not much more incomplete than those that have been prepared of other Provincial Districts.

At some future time I hope to consider in detail the principal features of plant-distribution in Nelson, and to suggest some possible explanation of certain curious anomalies therein. At present the known facts are not sufficient to warrant the attempt, large portions of the district never having been explored in a botanical point of view, and others being very imperfectly known.

The total number of species included in the catalogue is 666, but this will doubtless be largely added to by future observers. I have included a few species mentioned either in the “Handbook” or the “Transactions of the New Zealand Institute,” as occurring in the district, but which have not been observed by myself. With the exception of these, all of which are specified in the list, I am personally responsible for the whole of the determinations and for the localities quoted:—

Catalogue of The Flowering Plants and Ferns Observed in The Nelson Provincial District.

Ranunculus insignis, Hook. f. Elevated plateau between Mount Arthur and Mount Peel, alt. 4,500 feet, extremely abundant; a small few-flowered form ascends to the summit of Mount Arthur, nearly 6,000 feet. Wairau Valley, in several localities between Top-house and the Wairau Gorge.

" pinguis, Hook. f. Wairau Mountains, not uncommon. Ascends to 6,300 feet at the Wairau Gorge.

" geraniifolius, Hook. f. Not uncommon in alpine localities. Mountains behind Lake Rotoiti; Raglan Range; Mount Arthur and Mount Peel, ascending to 5,500 feet. A most variable plant. Leaves often much dissected.

" haastii, Hook. f. Shingle slopes, Wairau Gorge.

" crithmifolius, Hook. f. "Wairau Gorge, on shingle slips, alt. 6,000 feet, Travers" (Handbook).

" sinclairii, Hook. f. Raglan Mountains; mountains above the Wairau Gorge.

" plebeius. Abundant. Ascends to 4,000 feet on the Mount Arthur plateau.

" lappaceus, Sm., var. multiscapus. Common, especially in subalpine localities. Ascends to 5,000 feet on the Raglan Mountains.

" subscaposus, Hook. f.? Mount Arthur plateau, alt. 4,500 feet; Raglan Mountains, 5,000 feet.

" rivularis, Banks and Sol. Abundant in lowland swamps.

Caltha novæ-zealandiæ, Hook. f. Mount Arthur plateau; Raglan Mountains.

Magnoliaceæ.

Drimys axillaris, Forst. Abundant in woods. The variety with blotched leaves, sometimes kept as a distinct species under the name of D. colorata, Raoul, is also plentiful.

Cruciferæ.

Nasturtium palustre, DC. Not uncommon in moist places.

Sisymbrium novæ-zealandiæ, Hook. f. “Mountains of Nelson, Rough; shingle slips, Wairau Gorge, alt. 4,500 feet, Travers” (Handbook).

Cardamine hirsuta, L. Abundant. An alpine variety. Ascends to 5,000 feet on Mount Arthur, and to 6,000 feet at the Wairau Gorge.

" depressa, Hk.f. Raglan Mountains; Wairau Gorge.

" fastigiata, Hk.f. Wairau Gorge, alt. 3,000 feet.

" latesiliqua, Cheeseman, n. sp. Mount Arthur, abundant from 4,500 to 5,500 feet; Raglan Mountains, alt. 5,000 feet.

Notothlaspi rosulatum, Hook. f. Raglan Mountains; Wairau Gorge.

" australe, Hook. f. An abundant alpine plant, alt. 3,500 to 5,000 feet.

Violarieæ.

Viola filicaulis, Hook. f. Not uncommon. Graham River; Maitai Valley; Wairau Valley.

" lyallii, Hook. f. Abundant.

" cunninghamii, Hk.f. Near Nelson; Wairau Valley, etc.

Melicytus ramiflorus, Forst. Common in woods at low elevations.

" lanceolatus, Hook. f. Forests near the source of the Takaka River, alt. 3000 feet; Clarke River; Buller Valley.

" micranthus, Hook. f. Near Nelson; Buller Valley.

Hymenanthera crassifolia, Hook. f. Near Nelson, and coast to the northwards.

" latifolia, Endl.? A slender shrub, 6–8 feet high, with obovate leaves 1½ inch long, is referred to this species for the present. Graham River, on limestone rocks.

Pittosporeæ.

Pittosporum tenuifolium, Banks and Sol. Abundant.

" patulum, Hook. f. "Wairau Mountains, alt. 5,000 feet, Sïnclair" (Handbook).

" rigidum. Maitai Valley and Dun Mountain Range; Buller Valley.

" eugenioides, A. Cunn. Not uncommon in woods at low elevations.

Caryophylleæ.

Gypsophila tubulosa, Boiss. “Tarndale Plain, 4,000 feet, Travers” (Handbook).

Stellaria parviflora, Banks and Sol. Common. Ascends to 4,500 feet on the Mount Arthur plateau.

" roughii, Hook. f. Dun Mountain; Wairau Gorge.

" gracilenta, Hook. f. Wairau Valley, abundant.

Colobanthus quitensis, Bartl. Dun Mountain; Mount Arthur plateau; Raglan Mountains.

" billardieri, Fenzl. Abundant.

" acicularis, Hook. f. Wairau Mountains, abundant.

Spergularia rubra, Pers., var. marina. Coast near Nelson.

Portulaceæ.

Claytonia australasica, Hook. f. An abundant alpine plant.

Montia fontana, L. Abundant in subalpine and alpine localities.

Elatineæ.

Elatine americanæ, Arnott. Lake Rotoiti. I am not aware of any previous record from the South Island.

Hypericineæ.

Hypericum japonicum, Thumb. Lake Rotoiti; Buller Valley.

Malvaceæ.

Plagianthus divaricatus, Forst. Salt marshes, Blind Bay. Common.

" betulinus, A. Cunn. Lower Motueka; Graham River.

" lyallii, Hook.f. Subalpine forests, abundant by the sides of streams, etc.

Hoheria populnea, A. Cunn., var. angustifolia. Near Nelson; Wakefield; Foxhill; Motueka and Motupiko, etc.

Tiliaceæ.

Aristotelia racemosa, Hook. f. Abundant in forests.

" fruticosa, Hook. f. Abundant, especially in subalpine forests.

Elæocarpus hookerianus, Raoul. Apparently common; ascending to 3,500 feet. E. dentatus, Vahl, doubtless also occurs in the district, but I do not find it in my notes.

Lineæ.

Linum monogynum, Forst. Nelson and coast line to the northwards, abundant. Inland, on Spooner's Range, alt. 1,000 feet.

Geraniaceæ.

Geranium dissectum, L., var. carolinianum. Common about Nelson and elsewhere.

" microphyllum, Hk.f. Common.

" sessiliflorum, Cav. Not uncommon.

" molle, L. Near Nelson; Motueka; Wairau Valley.

Pelargonium australe, Willd., var. clandestinum. Nelson; Foxhill, etc.

Oxalis corniculata, L. Not uncommon.

" magellanica, Forst. Abundant by the side of streams, etc., in hilly districts.

Rutaceæ.

Melicope ternata, Forst. “Nelson Province” (Handbook).

" simplex, A. Cunn. Maitai Valley; Lower Motueka; Graham River.

Olacineæ.

Pennantia corymbosa, Forst. Common in woods.

Stackhousieæ.

Stackhousia minima, Hk. f. Mount Arthur plateau, alt. 4,000 to 5,000 feet.

Rhamneæ.

Discaria toumatou, Raoul. Most abundant, especially in river valleys.

Sapindaceæ.

Dodonæa viscosa, Forst. Coast hills near Nelson.

Alectryon excelsum, DC. Nelson and vicinity; Graham River; Lower Motueka.

Coriarieæ.

Coriaria ruscifolia, L. Abundant throughout the district.

" thymifolia, Humb. Mount Arthur plateau; Wairau Gorge; Hope Mountains, Buller Valley.

Leguminosæ.

Carmichælia nana, Col. Dry shingly places in river beds. Motueka and Motupiko Valleys; Wairau Valley; Buller Valley, etc.

" australis, Br. Near Nelson; Motueka; Foxhill, etc.

" odorata, Col. Buller Valley.

" flagelliformis, Col. Maitai Valley; Wairau Valley; Lake Rotoiti; Buller Valley.

Sophora tetraptera, Ait. Not uncommon.

Rosaceæ.

Rubus australis, Forst., vars. α, β, γ. Common in many places.

Potentilla anserina, L. Common.

Geum urbanum, L., var. strictum. Wairau Valley; Buller Valley.

" parviflorum, Comm. Mount Arthur plateau; Raglan Mountains; Wairau Gorge.

Acæna sanguisorbæ, Vahl. Common. Ascends to 3,500 feet at the Wairau Gorge.

" novæ-zealandiæ, Kirk. Near Nelson; Foxhill; Motueka.

" adscendens, Vahl. Wairau Gorge.

" glabra, Buchanan. Wairau Gorge.

" microphylla, Hook. f. Buller Valley and Lake Rotoiti; Wairau Valley.

" inermis, Hook. f. Upper Motueka and Motupiko; Wairau Valley; Lake Rotoiti.

Saxifrageæ.

Donatia novæ-zealandiæ, Hook. f. Tarns on Mount Peel, alt. 5,000 feet. The most northern locality yet recorded.

Quintinia serrata, A. Cunn., var. β. Graham River; Takaka River; “Aorere Valley, alt. 1,400 feet, Travers” (Handbook).

Carpodetus serratus, Forst. Abundant in lowland forests.

Weinmannia racemosa, Forst. Abundant in forests. Ascends to 4,000 feet elevation.

Crassulaceæ.

Tillæa sinclairii, Hook. f. Buller Valley, between the Devil's Grip and Lake Rotoiti; Wairau Valley.

" verticillaris, DC. Near Nelson; Wairau Valley.

Droseraceæ.

Drosera stenopetala, Hook. f. Mount Arthur plateau, alt. 4,500 feet, the most northern habitat yet recorded; mountains between the Hope and Owen rivers, Buller District, alt. 4,000 feet.

" arcturi, Hook. Common in alpine bogs.

" spathulata, Lab. Lake Rotoiti; Mount Arthur plateau, ascending to 4,500 feet.

" binata, Lab. Upper Motueka; Motupiko.

" auriculata, Backh. Near Nelson.

Halorageæ.

Haloragis alata, Jacq. Nelson; Foxhill; Motueka; Moutere, etc.

" tetragyna, Lab., var. diffusa. Spooner's Ridge, Buller Valley.

" depressa, Hook. f. Abundant. Buchanan's H. aggregata, if I rightly understand his plant, is simply a variety.

" micrantha, Br. Motueka and Motupiko; Foxhill; Lake Rotoiti; Wairau Valley.

Myriophyllum elatinoides, Gaud. Wairau Valley.

" variæfolium, Hook. f. Lake Rotoiti.

" robustum, Hook. f. Moutere stream. I am not aware that this species has been previously recorded from the South Island.

Callitriche verna, L. Abundant.

Gunnera monoica, Raoul. Abundant by the side of streams.

" densiflora, Hook. f. “Acheron and Clarence rivers, alt. 4,000 feet, Travers” (Handbook).

Myrtaceæ.

Leptospermum scoparium, Forst. Common. Ascends to 4,500 feet on the granitic hills between the Hope and the Owen rivers.

" ericoides, A. Rich. Generally distributed in woods through out the district.

Metrosideros florida, Sm. Near Nelson.

" lucida, Menzies. Not uncommon in woods, especially in rocky places.

" hypericifolia, A. Cunn. Near Nelson; Lower Motueka; Graham River.

" colensoi, Hook. f. Maitai Valley and other localities near Nelson; Lower Motueka; Graham River; Pearce River.

" soandens, Banks and Sol. Nelson; Motueka; Ngatimoti.

Myrtus ralphii, Hk.f. Maitai Valley.

" obcordata, Hook. f. Common in forests.

" pedunculata, Hook, f. Nelson; Foxhill; Buller Valley.

Onagrarieæ.

Fuchsia excorticata, Linn. f. Common.

" colensoi, Hook. f. Lower Motueka; Graham River.

Epilobium nummularifolium, A. Cunn. Abundant.

" linnæoides, Hook. f. Mount Arthur plateau; Buller Valley.

" macropus, Hook. Mount Arthur plateau; Lake Rotoiti and Buller Valley; Wairau Valley.

" confertifolium, Hook. f. Wairau Gorge.

" crassum, Hook. f. Mountains above the Wairau Gorge, alt. 5,000 6,000 ft.

" microphyllum, A. Rich. Abundant in dry shingly river beds.

" rotundifolium, Forst. Motueka; Buller Valley, etc.

" glabellum, Forst. Generally distributed.

" melanocaulon, Hook. Buller Valley; Wairau Valley.

" junceum, Forst. Abundant through the district.

" pubens, A. Rich. Common.

" billardierianum, Seringe. Mount Arthur plateau; Upper Buller; Wairau District, etc.

" pallidifloum, Sol. Motueka; Moutere; Buller Valley, etc.

Passifloreæ.

Passiflora terrandara, Banks and Sol. Lower Motueka; Graham River.

Ficoideæ.

Mesembryanthemum australe, Sol. Coast near Nelson.

Umbelliferæ.

Hydrocotyle elongata, A. Cunn. Motueka; Graham River; Foxhill; Wairau Valley.

" novæ-zealandiæ, DC. Nelson; Wairau Valley.

" moschata, Forst. Nelson and vicinity.

" micorophylla, A. Cunn. Maitai River; Wairau Valley.

Pozoa reniformis, Hook. f. Slopes of Mount Peel, alt. 5,000 feet. Not previously known from beyond the Auckland Islands.

" trifoliolata, Hook. f. Mount Arthur plateau.

" pallida, Kirk. Mount Arthur plateau; Lake Rotoiti; Wairau Valley.

" roughii, Hook. f. Dun Mountain; Raglan Mountains; mountains above the Wairau Gorge.

Crantzia lineata, Nutt. Salt marshes near Nelson.

Apium australe, Thouars. Coast near Nelson.

" filiforme, Hook. Coast near Nelson.

Oreomyrrhis colensoi, Hook. f. Common in subalpine grassy places.

" ramosa, Hook. f. Head of Lake Rotoiti; Wairau Gorge.

Aciphylla squarrosa, Forst. Subalpine localities, not uncommon.

" colensoi, Hook. f. Subalpine and alpine localities, abundant.

" tyallii, Hook. f. Mount Arthur plateau, ascending to 5,500 feet.

" monroi, Hook. f. Abundant in alpine situations.

Ligusticum filifolium, Hook. f. Dun Mountain; Wairau Mountains; Hope Mountains, etc.

" deltoideum, Cheeseman, n.sp. Mount Arthur plateau, alt. 4,500 feet.

" carnosulum, Hook. f. Shingle slopes above the Wairau Gorge.

" piliferum, Hook. f. Mount Arthur plateau; Mount Peel; Raglan Mountains; mountains above the Wairau Gorge. Ascends to 6,500 feet.

" aromaticum, Banks and Sol. An abundant mountain plant.

" imbricatum, Hook. f. Summit of Mount Peel, alt. 6,000 feet.

Angelica gingidium, Hook. f. Abundant in many localities.

Daucus brachiatus, Sieber. Near Nelson, etc.

Araliaceæ.

Panax simplex, Forst. Abundant in woods throughout the distriet.

" edgerleyi, Hook. f. Graham River; Pearce River.

" anomalum, Hook. Not. uncommon in lowland forests.

" lineare, Hook. f. Mount Arthur plateau and sources of the Takaka River, forming a large proportion of the undergrowth in the Fagus forest, above 3,000 feet alt. The most northern locality yet recorded.

Panax crassifolium, Dcne, and Planch. Common in woods below 2,000 feet alt.

" ferox, Kirk. Graham River; Buller Nelson, Kirk!

" colensoi, Hook. f. Abundant. Ascends to nearly 5,000 feet.

" arboreum, Forst. Common throughout the district.

Schefflera digitata, Forst. Nelson; Motueka; Wairau Valley; Buller Valley.

Corneæ.

Griselinia lucida, Forst. Mackay's Knob, near Nelson.

" littoralis. Everywhere in the Fagus forests.

Corokia cotoneaster, Raoul. Nelson; Lake Rotoiti and Buller Valley; Wairau Valley.

Loranthaceæ.

Loranthus colensoi, Hook. f. Common; parasitic on the species of Fagus.

" decussatus, Kirk. Mount Arthur plateau; mountains in the Buller Valley; Wairau Valley. Ascends to a higher elevation than the preceding species.

" flavidus, Hook. f. Abundant; usually parasitic on Fagus solandri.

Tupeia antarctica, Cham, and Schl. Lower Motueka; Graham River.

Rubiaceæ.

Coprosma lucida, Forst. Abundant throughout the district.

" grandifolia, Hook. f. Near Nelson; Foxhill; Lower Motueka; Moutere, etc.; Buller Valley. I can find no previous record of the occurrence of this species in the South Island; but it is too abundant to have escaped observation.

" baueriana, Endl. Coast north of Nelson, T.F.C.; "Massacre Bay, Lyall " (Handbook).

" robusta, Raoul. Abundant.

" cunninghamii, Hook. f. Near Nelson; Graham River.

" serrulata, Hook. f. Alpine localities in Nelson, Buchanan (Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. iii., p. 212).

" rotundifolia, A. Cunn. Apparently common in swampy forests at low elevations. Foxhill; Moutere; Lower Motueka, etc.

" rhamnoides, A. Cunn. Nelson; Foxhill, etc.

" parviflora, Hook. f. Common in many places.

" fætidissima, Forst. Plentiful throughout the district, in many places forming the chief undergrowth in the Fagus forests.

" cuneata, Hook. f. Wairau Mountains.

" acerosa, A. Cuin. Sand-hills, shores of Blind Bay.

" depressa, Col. ? Mount Arthur plateau.

" microcarpa, Col.? Graham River; Mount Arthur plateau; Maitai Valley, etc.

" linariifolia. Hook. f. Abundant.

" repens, Hook. f. In alpine localities, not uncommon. I can find no distinguishing characters between this and C. pumila, and believe both to be forms of the same plant.

Nertera depressa, Banks and Sol. Mount Arthur plateau; Raglan Mountains.

" dichondrœfolia, Hook. f. Abundant.

Galium umbrosum, Forst. Nelson and vicinity; Wairau Valley; Buller Valley.

Asperula perpusilla, Hook. f. Not uncommon in dry and subalpine localities. Ascends to 4,500 feet on the Mount Arthur plateau.

Compositæ.

Olearia nitida, Hook. f. Not uncommon.

" cunninghamii, Hook. f. From Nelson and Motueka to the Big Bush, abundant.

" lacunosa, Hook. f. Sources of the Takaka River, alt. 3,000 feet; Mount Arthur plateau, 4,000 feet; Mountains between the Hope and Owen Rivers, Buller District, alt. 4,000 feet; "Lake Rotoroa " (Handbook).

Senecio lagopus, Raoul. Common in subalpine localities.

" bellidioides, Hook. f. Common with the preceding.

" latifolius, Banks and Sol. Sources of the Takaka River, alt. 3,000 feet. Leaves unusually broad, but the specimens do not otherwise differ from North Island ones.

" lautus, Forst. Coast near Nelson, and shores of Blind Bay, abundant; Mount Arthur plateau, alt. 4,000 feet (a stout, succulent, large-flowered form).

" lyallii, Hook. f. Wairau Gorge; mountains by the Rainbow River.

" hectori, Buchanan. Graham River, Pearce River, and other tributaries of the Motueka rising on the Mount Arthur plateau, alt. 400 to 2,800 feet; sources of the Takaka River, alt. 3,000 feet; Upper Buller Valley. I am also informed that it is abundant in the upper part of the Aorere Valley. The finest species of the genus in New Zealand.

" laxiflorus, Buchanan. Wairau Gorge, alt. 3,000 feet.

" elæagnifolius, Hook. f. Mount Arthur plateau, abundant; Upper Buller Valley; Wairau Valley.

" bidwillii, Hook. f. "Mountains of Nelson, Bidwill, Rough" (Handbook).

" n. sp. Mount Arthur and Mount Peel, ascending to 5,500 feet. Allied to S. robusta, Buchanan, but differing in the lax panicled infloresence, smaller, oblong, much more coriaceous leaves, with strongly revolute margins. The whole plant is even more viscid than S. robusta. Inflorescence nearly glabrous.

" monroi, Hook. f. "Nelson Mountains, Monro" (Handbook).

" cassinioides, Hook. f. Upper Wairau Valley.

Brachyglottis repanda, Forst. Lowland forests, especially on dry soils.

Traversia baccharoides, Hook. f. Mount Arthur plateau; Upper Buller Valley and Lake Rotoiti; Wairau Valley.

Microseris forsteri, Hook. f. Common.

Crepis novæ-zealandiæ, Hook. f. Wairau Valley.

Taraxacum dens-leonis, Desf. In many places on the mountains.

Sonchus oleraceus, L. Abundant through the district.

Stylidieæ.

Oreostylidium subulatum, Berggren. Not uncommon in alpine localities. Mount Arthur plateau, Hope Mountains; Buller Valley, between the Devil's Grip and Lake Rotoiti; Wairau Mountains; Wairau Gorge.

Forstera sedifolia, Linn. f. Hope Mountains, Buller District, alt. 4,000 feet; Wairau Gorge.

" tenella, Hook. f. Not uncommon in subalpine and alpine localities.

Phyllachne colensoi, Hook. f. An abundant alpine plant.

Campanulaceæ.

Wahlenbergia gracilis, A. Rich. Abundant throughout the district.

" saxicola, A.DC. Abundant throughout the district.

" cartilaginea, Hook. f. Wairau Gorge.

Lobelia anceps, Thunb. Near Nelson, etc.

" roughii, Hook. f. Dun Mountain; Wairau Gorge.

Pratia angulata, Hook. f. Abundant.

" macrodon, Hook. f. Raglan Mountains; Wairau Gorge.

Selliera radicans, Cav. Salt marshes, Blind Bay.

Ericeæ.

Gaultheria antipoda, Forst. Abundant.

" rupestris, Br. Throughout the district, but not so common as the preceding.

Cyathodes acerosa, Br. Abundant.

" empetrifolia. An abundant mountain plant.

" colensoi, Hook. f. Mount Arthur plateau; mountains between the Hope and Owen Rivers; Raglan Mountains.

" pumila, Hook. f. Mount Arthur plateau, 4,000–5,000 feet.

Lencopogon fasciculatus, A. Rich. Generally distributed below 3,000 feet alt.

" fraseri, A. Cunn. Abundant. Ascends to 4,500 feet on the Mount Arthur plateau.

Pentachondra pumila, Br. Common in mountain districts, alt. 2,000–5,500 feet.

Epacris pauciflora, A, Rich. “Nelson” (Handbook).

" alpina, Hook. f. Mountains between the Hope and Owen Rivers, alt. 4,000 feet.

Archeria traversii, Hook. f. Sources of the Takaka River; Mount Arthur plateau, ascending to 4,000 feet; “Aorere River” (Handbook).

Dracophyllum traversii, Hook. f. Upper Takaka; Mount Arthur plateau; 3,000–4,500 feet.

" longifolium, Br. Dun Mountain range; Wairau Valley; Buller Valley.

" urvilleanum, A. Rich. Not uncommon, ascending to 4,500 feet on the Mount Arthur plateau.

" uniflorum, Hook. f. Wairau Mountains; Wairau Gorge, etc.

" rosmarinifolium, Forst. Dun Mountain; Wairau Mountains; Mount Arthur, etc.

Myrsineæ.

Myrsine salicina, Heward. Moutere, Ngatimoti, etc., in woods at low elevations. I am not aware of any previous record from the South Island.

" urvillei, A.DC. Not uncommon in woods at low elevations.

" divaricata, A. Cunn. Common, ascends to 3,500 feet near Mount Arthur.

" montana, Hook. f. Upper Maitai Valley.

" nummmularifolia, Hook. f. Raglan Mountains; Wairau Gorge; Hope Mountains; Mount Arthur plateau.

Primulaceæ.

Samolus repens, Pers. Coast near Nelson, and shores of Blind Bay.

Apocyneæ.

Parsonsia albiflora, Raoul. Common at low elevations.

" rosea, Raoul. Near Nelson; Wairau Valley.

Gentianeæ.

Gentiana montana, Forst. All more or less abundant in mountain districts.

" pleurogynoides, Griseb.

" saxosa, Forst.

Boragineæ.

Myosotis spathulata, Forst. Near Nelson; Maitai Valley; Wairau Valley.

" antarctica, Hook. f. Wairau Valley.

" australis, Br. Mount Arthur plateau, up to 4,500 feet; Wairau Valley 2,000–4,500 feet.

" forsteri, Ræm. and Sch. Near Nelson; Takaka River; Buller Valley.

" traversii, Hook. f. Shingle slopes, Wairau Gorge, alt. 5,000–6,000 feet; "Tarndale, Sinclair" (Handbook).

Exarrhena macrantha, Hook. f. Dun Mountain, alt. 4,000 feet; Mount Arthur and Mount Peel, ascending to 5,500 feet; Wairau Mountains, 3,000–5,000 feet.

" saxosa, Hook. f. Dun Mountain, 4,000 feet; Raglan Mountains, 4,000–4,500 feet.

Convolvulaceæ.

Convolvulus sepium, L. Common at low elevations.

" tuguriorum, Forst. Not uncommon.

" soldanella, L. Sand-hills, Blind Bay.

Dichondra repens, Forst. Nelson to Motueka, abundant.

Solanaceæ.

Solanum aviculare, Forst. Motueka, Motupiko, etc.

" nigrum, L. Nelson.

Scrophularineæ.

Mimulus repens, Br. “Nelson, Bidwill” (Flora Novæ-Zealandiæ, vol. i., p. 188).

" radicans, Hook. f. Hope Mountains, Buller District.

Glossostigma elatinoides, Benth. Lake Rotoiti.

Limosella aquatica, L., var. tenuifolia. Buller Valley.

Veronica salicifolia, Forst. Common.

" parviflora, Vahl. Near Nelson; Motueka Valley; Buller Valley.

" ligustrifolia, A. Cunn. Near Nelson.

" traversii, Hook. f. Common in river valleys in the interior of the district.

" vernicosa, Hook. f. Mount Arthur plateau, ascending to 4,500 feet; Buller Valley; Lake Rotoiti; Wairau Valley to Wairau Gorge, etc.

" colensoi, Hook. f. Not uncommon.

" lævis, Benth. Dun Mountain Range; Wairau Valley; Mount Arthur plateau, etc.

" buxifolia, Benth. Wairau Valley to the Wairau Gorge; Buller Valley and the adjacent mountains; Mount Arthur plateau, ascending to 5,000 feet.

" carnosula, Hook. f. Mount Arthur plateau; Raglan Mountains; Wairau Gorge, etc.

" pinguifolia, Hook. f. Mount Arthur; Mount Peel; Wairau Gorge, etc.

" pimeleoides, Hook. f. Rainbow River and Wairau Gorge.

" lycopodioides, Hook. f. Wairau Mountains, abundant above 4,000 feet.

" tetrasticha, Hook. f. Mount Arthur, abundant; St. Arnaud Mountains; Wairau Gorge.

" armstrongii, Kirk. Mount Arthur plateau; mountains between the Hope and Owen rivers; Wairau Mountains.

" salicornioides, Hook. f. Mountains above the Rainbow River.

" cupressoides, Hook. f. Wairau Gorge.

" haastii, Hook. f. Summit of Mount Arthur, 5,500–6,000 feet.

" epacridea, Hook. f. Mountains above the Wairau Gorge, ascending to 6,300 feet.

" macrantha, Hook. f. Wairau Mountains; Mount Peel.

" raoulii, Hook. f. Wairau Valley.

" lyallii, Hook. f. Buller Valley; Wairau Valley.

" bidwillii, Hook. f. River valleys in the interior of the district, not uncommon.

Veronica, n. sp. Raglan Mountains, alt. 5,500 feet. Habit approaching that of Pygmæa; but the corolla lobes are of the normal number; and the calyx is very peculiar, having long pinnatifid lobes. Very distinct from any described species.

Pygmæa pulvinaris, Hook. f. Raglan Mountains, 4,500–5,500 feet; mountains above the Wairau Gorge; summit of Mount Arthur.

Ourisia macrophylla, Hook. Abundant in sub-alpine damp and shaded localities.

" colensoi, Hook. f. Mount Peel; Raglan Mountains; mountains above the Wairau Gorge.

" cæspitosa, Hook. f. Mount Arthur plateau; Raglan Mountains.

Euphrasia monroi, Hook. f. Dun Mountain; St. Arnaud Mountains; Mount Arthur plateau, etc.

" revoluta, Hook. f. St. Arnaud Mountains; Mount Arthur plateau.

" antarctica, Hook. f. An abundant alpine plant.

Verbenaceæ.

Teucridium parvifolium, Hook. f. “Nelson, Bidwill, Travers” (Handbook).

Myoporum lætum, Forst. Near Nelson; Stoke; Spring-grove; and other places near the shores of Blind Bay.

Labiatæ.

Mentha cunninghamii, Benth. Not uncommon, ascending to 4,500 feet alt.

Scutellaria novæ-zealandiæ, Hook. f. Maitai Valley; “Foxhill, Monro” (Handbook).

Plantagineæ.

Plantago brownii, Rapin. Raglan Mountains; mountains above the Wairau Gorge.

" raoulii, Decaisne. Abundant, ascending to 4,500 feet on the Mount Arthur plateau.

Chenopodiaceæ.

Chenopodium triandrum, Forst. Near Nelson.

" glaucum, L., var. ambiguum. Salt marshes, Nelson Harbour, and shores of Blind Bay.

Suæda maritima, Dum. Shores of Blind Bay.

Atriplex patula, L. Salt marshes, Nelson Harbour.

Salicornia indica, Willd. Muddy shores, Nelson Harbour and Blind Bay.

Paronychieæ.

Scleranthus biflorus, Hook. f. Abundant through the district, ascending to 4,500 feet. A very variable plant. A variety with the flowers solitary instead of in pairs, is common in the Wairau Valley.

Polygoneæ.

Polygonum minus, Huds., var. decipiens. Lowland swamps. Nelson; Moutere; Lower Motueka, etc.

" aviculare, L. Abundant.

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Muhlenbeckia adpressa, Lab. Abundant below 2,000 feet.

" complexa, Lab.

" axillaris, Hook. f. Of general occurrence in dry open shingly places.

Rumex flexuosus, Forst. Near Nelson; Lower Motueka; Wairau Valley; Mount Arthur plateau, alt. 4,500 feet.

Laurineæ.

Nesodaphne tawa, Hook. f. Vicinity of Nelson, but not common.

Monimiaceæ.

Atherosperma novæ-zealandiæ, Hook. f. Near Nelson; Wakapuaka. I am informed by Mr. Gaukrodger that some unusually fine examples formerly existed in the lower part of the Brook Street Valley, within the precincts of the present town of Nelson.

Hedycarya dentata, Forst. Near Nelson and coast to the northwards; Graham River and Lower Motueka.

Thymeleæ.

Pimelea longifolia, Banks and Sol. “Nelson Mountains, ascending to 2,000 feet, Travers” (Handbook).

" gnidia, Forst. Upper Maitai Valley.

" virgata, Vahl. Near Nelson.

" prostrata, Vahl. Not uncommon throughout the district.

" lyallii, Hook. f. Dun Mountain range; Mount Arthur plateau; St. Arnaud Mountains, etc.

Drapetes dieffenbachii, Hook. A common alpine plant.

" lyallii, Hook. f. Hope Mountains, Buller Valley; mountains above the Wairau Gorge.

Santalaceæ.

Exocarpus bidwillii, Hook. f. Dun Mountain and adjacent hills; Wairau Valley; Buller Valley.

Euphorbiaceæ.

Poranthera microphylla, Brong. Upper Maitai Valley.

" alpina, Cheeseman, n. sp. Mount Arthur, alt. 5,000–6,000 feet.

Cupuliferæ.

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Fagus menziesii, Hook. f. Abundant in forests throughout the province.

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" fusca, Hook. f.

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" solandri, Hook. f.

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" cliffortioides, Hook. f. Wairau Mountains; Mount Arthur plateau.

Urticeæ.

Urtica incisa, Poir. Near Nelson; Wairau Valley; Buller Valley; Mount Arthur plateau, 4,000 feet.

" ferox, Forst. Graham River, not common.

Parietaria debilis, Forst. Nelson.

Australina pusilla, Gaud. Lower Motueka; Graham River.

Piperaceæ.

Piper excelsum, Forst. Near Nelson; Motueka Valley, etc.

Coniferæ.

Libocedrus bidwillii, Hook. f. Abundant in mountain forests, ascending to 4,500 feet.

Podocarpus ferruginea, Don. Lowland forests, not uncommon.

" nivalis, Hook. f. Mount Arthur, Mount Peel, etc., alt. 4–5,000 feet; mountains above the Wairau Gorge, alt. 3,500–5,000 feet.

" totara, A. Cunn. Abundant in lowland woods. A distinct looking variety (?) is common in the Buller Valley, and often fruits when only two or three feet in height.

" spicata, Br. Abundant in lowland forests.

" dacrydioides, A. Rich. Abundant in moist lowland forests.

Dacrydium cupressinum, Sol. Throughout the district.

" intermedium, Kirk. Dun Mountain range; Hope Mountains, Buller Valley, alt. 2,000–4,000 feet.

" laxifolium, Hook. f. An abundant subalpine and alpine plant. Dun Mountain; Wairau Mountains; Mount Arthur and neighbouring high land; Hope Mountains, Buller Valley.

" bidwillii, Hook. f. Common on the mountains. Dun Mountain; forming most of the shrubby vegetation above the Fagus forest on the Mount Arthur plateau, 4,000–5,000 feet; Hope Mountains and elsewhere in the Buller Valley; Lake Rotoiti; St. Arnaud Mountains; Raglan Mountains; mountains above the Wairau Gorge.

" colensoi, Hook. Dun Mountain range; Wairau Mountains.

Phyllocladus trichomanoides, Don. Maitai Valley.

" alpinus, Hook. f. An abundant subalpine tree.

Orchideæ.

Earina mucronata, Lindl. Vicinity of Nelson; Maitai Valley.

Gastrodia cunninghamii, Hook. f. Maitai Valley; Moutere Hills; Graham River; Wairau Valley; Buller Valley.

Cyrtostylis oblonga, Hook. f. Buller Valley.

Adenochilus gracilis, Hook. f. Buller Valley, between the Hope and Owen Rivers. Not previously recorded from the South Island.

Corysanthes triloba, Hook. f. Near Nelson; Graham river; Wairau Valley.

" oblonga, Hook. f. Near Nelson.

" rotundifolia, Hook. f. "Nelson, Travers" (Handbook).

" macrantha, Hook. f. Wairau Valley; Buller Valley.

Microtis porrifolia, Spreng. Vicinity of Nelson; Moutere Hills; Foxhill; Motupiko; Wairau Valley.

Caladenia lyallii, Hook. f. St. Arnaud Mountains, 4,000 feet; Mount Arthur, abundant between 4,500 and 5,500 feet.

Pterostylis banksii, Brown. Not uncommon.

Chiloglottis cornuta, Hook. f. Buller Valley.

" traversii, F. Muell. Wairau Valley and the adjoining mountains, not uncommon; Mount Arthur plateau, abundant.

Thelymitra longifolia, Forst. Abundant in lowland districts.

" pulchella, Hook. f. Lake Rotoiti; Wairau Valley.

" uniflora, Hook. f. Lake Rotoiti; Wairau Valley; Mount Arthur plateau.

Prasophyllum colensoi, Hook. f. Not uncommon; ascends to 4,500 feet on the Mount Arthur plateau.

Orthoceras solandri, Lindl. Near Nelson; Foxhill; Spooner's Ridge. In the Handbook stated to ascend to an elevation of 4,000 feet in the Nelson District, on the authority of Bidwill. I have never seen it above 1,200 feet.

Irideæ.

Libertia ixioides, Spreng. Near Nelson; Lower Motueka; Graham River; Buller Valley.

" micrantha, A. Cunn. Nelson; Buller Valley, most abundant.

Pandaneæ.

Freycinetia banksii, A. Cunn. Lowland forests, but not common. Nelson and coast to the northwards: Lower Motueka; Graham River.

Typhaceæ.

Typha angustifolia, L. Common in swamps at low elevations.

Naiadeæ.

Triglochin triandrum, Michaux. Nelson Harbour; brackish-water swamps, head of Blind Bay.

Potamogeton natans, L. Moutere; Motupiko; Wairau Valley; Lake Rotoiti and Buller Valley.

Ruppia maritima, L. Salt-marshes, Blind Bay.

Zostera marina, L. Nelson Harbour.

Liliaceæ.

Rhipogonum scandens, Forst. Near Nelson, and coast to the north; Moutere Hills; Lower Motueka; Graham River, ascending to 1,500 ft.

Callixene parviflora, Hook. f. Dun Mountain range; Wairau Valley.

Cordyline australis, Hook. f. Abundant below 2,000 feet alt.; usually in river valleys.

" banksii, Hook. f. Near Nelson; Motueka Valley; Graham River.

" hookeriana, Kirk. Sources of the Takaka River, alt. 3,000–3,500 feet.

Dianella intermedia, Endl. Nelson and vicinity; Moutere; Motueka; Spooner's Range; Buller Valley.

Astelia cunninghamii, Hook. f. “Aorere Valley, Travers” (Handbook).

" linearis, Hook. f. Dun Mountain; Mount Arthur plateau.

" nervosa, Sol. Abundant in subalpine localities.

Arthropodium candidum, Raoul. Maitai Valley; Wairau Valley; Mount Arthur plateau; Buller Valley.

Anthericum hookeri, Col. Common in subalpine and alpine swamps.

Phormium tenax, Forst. Abundant. Ascends to 5,000 feet on Mount Arthur.

" colensoi, Hook. f. Abundant.

Herpolirion novæ-zealandiæ, Hook. f. Mount Arthur plateau, 4,000–5,000 feet, most abundant.

Palmeæ.

Areca sapida, Soland. Wakapuaka, T.F.C.; Lower Takaka Valley, Aorere Valley, abundant, J. Heath.

Junceæ.

Juncus vaginatus, Br. Nelson; Foxhill; Lake Rotoiti; Buller Valley.

" australis, Hook. f. Wairau Valley.

" maritimus, Lam. Nelson Harbour and shores of Blind Bay.

" communis, E. Mey. Abundant throughout the district.

" planifolius, Br. Nelson, Motueka, etc.

" bufonius, L. Abundant through the district. Ascends to 4,000 feet on the Mount Arthur plateau.

" sp. (Allied to J. prismatocarpus, Br.) Motueka Valley.

" scheuzerioides, Gaud.? Mount Arthur plateau, alt. 4,500 feet. Specimens immature, and perhaps not really belonging to this species.

" novæ-zealandiæ, Hook. f. Common in subalpine localities.

" articulatus, L., var. lamprocarpus. Not uncommon. Foxhill; Motueka; Motupiko; Moutere; Wairau Valley; Buller Valley; Mount Arthur plateau, ascending to 4,500 feet.

Rostkovia gracilis, Hook. f. Mount Arthur; Mount Peel; Raglan Mountains; mountains above the Wairau Gorge, ascending to 6,000 feet.

Luzula campestris, DC. Abundant throughout the district.

" oldfieldii, Hook. f. Wairau Gorge.

Luzula pumila, Hook. f. Mountains above the Wairau Gorge, ascending to 6,300 feet.

" colensoi, Hook. f. Hope Mountains, Buller Valley, alt. 4,000 feet.

Restiaceæ.

Leptocarpus simplex, A. Rich. Salt-marshes, Nelson Harbour and shores of Blind Bay.

Calorophus elongata, var. minor. Not uncommon in subalpine bogs.

Gaimardia setacea, Hook. f. Mount Arthur plateau, 4,000–5,000 feet; Wairau Gorge.

Alepyrum, n. sp. Mount Arthur plateau, with the preceding; Hope Mountains, Buller Valley; Wairau Gorge.

Cyperaceæ.

Cyperus ustulatus, A. Rich. Lowland districts, common.

Schænus pauciflorus, Hook. f. A common alpine and subalpine plant.

Carpha alpina, Br. Everywhere in alpine bogs, ascending to 6,000 feet.

Scirpus maritimus, L. Shores of Blind Bay.

" pungens, Vahl. Nelson Harbour, abundant.

Isolepis nodosa, Br. Nelson and vicinity, Buller Valley.

" prolifer, Br. Near Nelson; Motueka; Graham River; Buller Valley; etc.

" riparia, Br. Nelson, etc.

" cartilaginea, Br. Dun Mountain.

" aucklandica, Hook. f. Mount Arthur plateau; Raglan Mountains; Wairau Valley.

Desmoschænus spiradis, Hook. f. Sandhills, Blind Bay.

Gahnia setifolia, Hook. f. Near Nelson.

" procera, Forst. Buller Valley, between the Hope and Owen Rivers.

" hectori, Kirk. Near Nelson; slopes of Dun Mountain; Graham River; Lower Motueka; Buller Valley.

" ebenocarpa, Hook. f. Lower Motueka Valley.

Lepidosperma tetragona, Hook. f. Nelson; Foxhill; Motueka and Motupiko; Wairau Valley.

Oreobolus pumilio, Br. Common in alpine bogs.

Uncinia leptostachya, Raoul. Near Nelson; Foxhill.

" compacta, var. divaricata. Mount Arthur plateau; Wairau Valley; Raglan Mountains.

" australis, Pers. Common.

" cæpitosa, Boott. Not uncommon.

" rupestris, Raoul? Upper Takaka; Graham River.

" filiformis, Boott. Upper Takaka; Buller Valley.

" rubra, Boott. Mount Arthur plateau, 4,000–4,500 feet, abundant.

Carex pyrenaica, Wahl. Summit of Mount Arthur, circa 6,000 feet; Hope Mountains, Buller Valley, 4,000 feet; Raglan Mountains, 4,000–5,500 feet.

" acicularis, Boott. Mount Arthur plateau; Wairau Valley and adjacent mountains; Hope Mountains, Buller Valley.

" inversa, Br. Buller Valley.

" colensoi, Hook. f. Not uncommon.

" stellulata, Good. Wairau Valley, etc.; Lake Rotoiti; Buller Valley; Mount Arthur plateau.

" leporina, Good. Swampy hollows on granitic rocks, Ngatimoti; Graham River; Motueka Valley.

" kaloides, Petrie. Wairau Valley, abundant. A very distinct and well-marked species.

" virgata, Soland. The typical form and the variety secta both abundant.

" gaudichaudiana, Kunth. Buller Valley; Wairau Mountains, etc.; Mount Arthur plateau.

" subdola, Boott. "Acheron Valley, alt. 4,000 feet, Travers" (Handbook).

" ternaria, Forst. Abundant throughout the district. Ascends to 4,500 ft.

" testacea, Soland. (?) Near Nelson, and elsewhere.

" raoulii, Boott. Nelson and vicinity; Motueka; Graham River; Wairau Valley, etc.

" goyeni, Petrie, ms. Graham River. A very distinct new species, of which I have specimens also from Otago, sent by Mr. Petrie under the above name.

" lucida, Boott. Abundant.

" pulchella, Berggren. Wairau Valley.

" neesiana, Endl. Vicinity of Nelson.

" dissita, Soland. Abundant.

" lambertiana, Boott. Abundant.

" breviculmis, Br. Near Nelson; Wairau Valley; Buller Valley.

" pumila, Thunb. Sandy shores of Blind Bay.

" forsteri, Wahl. Not uncommon.

" cinnamomea, Cheeseman, n. sp. Sources of the Takaka River, alt. 3,000 feet.

Gramineæ.

Ehrharta colensoi, Hook. f. Mount Arthur plateau, and slopes of Mount Arthur and Mount Peel, 4,000–5,500 feet, abundant.

Microlæna stipoides, Br. Near Nelson; Moutere; Lower Motueka.

" avenacea, Hook. f. Nelson; Foxhill; Moutere Hills; Wairau Valley; Buller Valley.

" polynoda, Hook. f. Lower Motueka; Graham River.

Poa breviglumis, Hook. f. Near Nelson; Wairau Valley; Mount Arthur plateau, alt. 4,000 feet.

" foliosa, Hook. f., var. β. Mount Arthur plateau and the adjacent mountains; Raglan Mountains; mountains above the Wairau Gorge.

" anceps, Forst. Abundant in some of its forms throughout the district, in all situations.

" australis, Br., var. lævis. Abundant, especially in flat river valleys.

" colensoi, Hook. f. Abundant, especially in alpine and subalpine localities.

" kirkii, Buchanan. Upper Wairau Valley; Mount Arthur plateau, 4,000–5,000 feet, abundant.

" mackayi, Buchanan. Mount Arthur plateau, 4,000–5,500 feet, not so common as the preceding.

Festuca littoralis, Lab. Sandhills, Blind Bay.

" duriuscula, L. Abundant in the mountains.

Triticum multiflorum, Banks and Sol. Vicinity of Nelson.

" scabrum, Br. Not uncommon.

Gymnostichum gracile, Hook. f. Lower Motueka; Graham River.

Filices.

Gleichenia dicarpa, Br., var. alpina. Wairau Mountains; Hope Mountains, Buller Valley, ascending to 4,000 feet.

Cyathea dealbata, Swz. Lowland forests. Near Nelson; Motueka, etc.; Graham River; Buller Valley.

" medullaris, Swz. Lowland forests. Nelson and vicinity; Lower takaka.

Hemitelia smithii, Hook. Near Nelson; Maitai Valley, etc.; Motueka Valley; Graham River; Buller Valley.

Alsophila colensoi, Hook. f. Sources of the Takaka River; Mount Arthur plateau, ascending to 3,500 feet; Buller Valley.

Dicksonia squarrosa, Swartz. Common at low elevations.

" antarctica, Br. Common at low elevations.

" lanata, Col. "Massacre Bay, Travers" (Handbook).

Hymenophyllum rarum, Br. Vicinity of Nelson; Graham River; Buller Valley.

" polyanthos, Swz. Abundant below 2,000 feet.

" villosum, Col. Mount Arthur plateau, ascending to 4,000 feet; Buller Valley.

" javannicum, Spreng. Maitai Valley.

" demissum, Swz. Abundant in lowland forests.

" flabellatum, Lab. Not uncommon. Ascends to 3,500 feet on the Upper Takaka.

Art. XLVI.—A Description of a few new Plants from our New Zealand Forests.

By W. Colenso, F.L.S.

Order 47^*. Apocyneæ.

Order 1. Orchideæ.

Order 7. Liliaceæ.

Order 1. Filices.

Order 5. Hepaticæ.

Art. XLVII.—On the Alpine Flora of New Zealand.
Plates XXIV.–XXXV.

By John Buchanan, F.L.S., of the Geological Survey Department.

caused by ocean currents of different temperatures impinging on opposite coast lines, or by local hot winds; but, whatever may be the influencing cause, representative plants of the North Island pass several degrees of latitude southwards on the west side of the South Island, which are not found on the east side of that Island, thus indicating a higher temperature on the west; and this is also consistent with the alpine flora of the North Island being found at higher altitudes on the mountains of the South Island than on those of the North.

The alpine flora as observed has a rapid development. This is no doubt necessitated by the short period which intervenes between the melting of the snows and the next seasonal fall. The intense heat of the sun at high altitudes, is no doubt an important element in hastening growth, but the chief cause must be ascribed in many cases to the advanced stage at which the plants have arrived before the melting of the snows in spring has uncovered them. Large plants such as Ranunculus buchanani were found 8–10 inches high, breaking through their snowy covering, with the leaves and flower-buds fully formed; no sooner, however, did the last film of snow melt from above them, than they burst into flower while the leaves were yet blanched and colourless, and it is probable that in favourable weather seed may ripen in a few weeks.

On the Mount Aspiring Range may be seen, covering patches of snow, that peculiar 1-celled plant—Protococcus, or red snow. This plant was observed by Captain Ross on one of his expeditions to the Arctic regions, covering the surface of the snow over large areas, and penetrating downwards several feet.

Plate XXIV., fig. 1, plant nat. size; 1 a, flower; 1 b, pod; 1 b′, seed; 1 c, 1 c′, leaves.

The present plant was collected on Mount Alta, Wanaka Lake District, where it is found on exposed ridges not under 5,000 feet alt., either in firm shingle or in crevices of the rocks, where it is often surrounded by snow. The progress of flowering and seeding is rapid, as the heat during the day in sunshine at these high altitudes is intense, producing a rapid vegetation.

Pachycladon glabra, Buchanan, n.s.

A short depressed, glabrous, alpine plant. Root long, fusiform, ⅕–¼ inch diameter, bearing 1–2 stout branches, each terminating in a loose rosulate head of long slender leaves. Leaves ¾–1 inch long including the petiole, in irregular series, pinnatifidly lobed and narrowed into long flat petioles. Scape leaves long narrow linear. Scapes few, shorter or longer than the leaves, and rising from the branches below them, 1–3 flowered. Flowers white, ⅕ inch long. Sepals linear-obovate, petals longer than the sepals, narrow linear-obovate, rounded at top, tapering at bottom to a narrow point; stamens six, two longer than the others; pods ¼ inch long, 1/20 inch broad, laterally compressed, linear, septum complete; seeds 8–10 in each valve, ovoid.

Hab.—Mountain range, head of Lake Ohou, 5,000 feet alt.—Buchanan and McKay, 1881.

Plate XXIV., fig. 2, plant nat. size; 2 a, flower; 2 b, b′, pod and section; 2 c, leaf.

The present plant may probably be considered as only a form of Pachycladon novæ-zealandiæ, produced by climatic causes; the prevailing hot winds of the Lake Ohou District, where it was collected, being well known to exercise a great influence on the vegetation of both mountain and low lands. The upright habit and glabrous parts however of the present plant with other changes in the inflorescence necessitate a distinguishing name.

Notothlaspi notabilis, Buch., n.s.

A small circular densely-leaved biennial (?) plant, with the inflorescence forming a terminal sphere of small white flowers; stem none; leaves numerous, ¾–1 inch long, spathulate, crenate on the upper half, sparsely covered on margins and surface with ribbon-like hairs, 1-veined, and pitted on the surface; scape, 1–2 inches long, hollow, apparently formed by the union of the petioles, thus probably relegating the leaves to flower bracts; pods, ⅓ inch long, obovate, with a very short style.

Hab.—Mountain range, head of Lake Ohou, 3,000 feet alt.—Buchanan and McKay, 1881.

Plate XXV. figs. 1, 2, plant nat. size, different views; 3, flower, 4, pod; 5, leaves, both sides; 5 a, portion of leaf much enlarged.

This remarkable little plant agrees in several details with Hooker's description of Notothlaspi rosulatum (“Handbook of New Zealand Flora”); that species, however, being described as a pyramidal fleshy herb, with a scape thicker than the little finger, and a span high, presents sufficient differences to claim for the present plant a distinguishing name. The illustrations given on pl. XXV. are drawn from the largest specimens in a collection of over fifty.

Hab.—Fine loose shingle slopes, where its fine thread-like roots penetrate to a considerable depth, presenting an unique botanical form in the Flora of New Zealand, the leaves being arranged like a miniature umbrella, surmounted by a small dense ball of white flowers.

Hectorella cæspitosa, Hook. fil.

Pozoa exigua, Hook. fil.

Dracophyllum muscoides, Hook. fil.

Aciphylla hectori, Buch., n.s.

Stem 10–12 inches high, deeply grooved. Leaves all radical, sheathing near the root and forming a circle 6–8 inches diameter, pinnate, 3–5-foliate, leaflets 1½–2½ inches long, ⅕–⅙ inch broad, rigid, smooth, margins finely serrulate, pungent, striate. Male inflorescence racemose, occupying three-quarters of the stem, and with a 3-foliate stem-leaf at the base. Flowering bracts with large sheaths, 1–3 inches long, 3-foliate, soft, and membraneous, each bract enfolding a small spike of male flowers. Female racemes rigid, occupying less than the half of the stem, bracts ½–1 inch long, 3-foliolate, sheaths very small. Carpels 3–5-winged.

Allied to Aciphylla colensoi, and may be considered as its alpine representative. Collected near Hector's Col on the Mount Aspiring range, at 5,000 feet alt. Named in compliment to Dr. Hector, who accomplished the passage in 1862.

Plate XXVII., fig. 1, spike of male plant; 1′, portion enlarged; 2, female plant in seed; 3, seed, front view; 3′, seed, side view.

Note on the genus Aciphylla.—At the period of Dr. Hector's explorations in the Wanaka District in 1862, the valley of the Matukituki River was, on account of the prevalence of spear-grass (chiefly Aciphylla colensoi) impassable except by frequently crossing the river, which latter was often dangerous; at the present date scarcely a plant is to be seen, frequent burnings, and stocking the country with cattle and sheep, having destroyed the plants.

The alpine forms of the genus may still be collected in abundance, those collected at this time were Aciphylla monroi, A. lyallii, and A. dobsonii, the latter a very rare plant, being found only on Station Mountain, Lake Ohou, at an alt. of 6,000 feet where only a few plants were seen.

Lobelia roughii, Hook. f.

A small glabrous alpine plant, full of white acrid fluid. Leaves ½–1 inch long, petioled, ovate or obovate, acute, deeply toothed or lobed, the sinus often round, more or less reticulated on 5–7 leading nerves, coriaceous. Peduncles erect, axillary, 1–1½ inches long, growing out as the fruit ripens, 1-flowered, calyx tube globose, lobes linear, obtuse, coriaceous. Corolla 5-partite, but by the frequent union of three lobes, 3-partite, lobes long, very narrow, round at top. Anthers glabrous, united round the style and supported by the filaments. Capsule ovoid, ¼–⅓ inch long.

Hab.—Lake Ohou Mountains; alt., 5,000 feet on loose shingle.—Buchanan and McKay, 1882.

Plate XXVIII., fig. 1, plant nat. size; 1 a, capsule with adherent anthers; 1 b, b′, b″, lobes of corolla, 1- and 3-partite; 1 c, anther.

A remarkable little alpine plant with smooth purplish green foliage, found always on shingle slopes, often getting buried by the sliding debris, and generally growing up again through deposits of several feet.

Logania tetragona, Hook. fil.

A small coriaceous prostrate plant, branches ascending, 1–3 inches long, ¼ inch diameter. Leaves closely 4-fariously imbricate, erect or spreading, linear obovate, rounded at the tip, entire, concave, ciliate on the margins of the lower half, connate in pairs at base. Flowers solitary, terminal, sepals 5, rugose and pubescent on the lower half, corolla 5-lobed, ⅓ inch diameter, tube short, stamens 2, inserted within the mouth of the corolla, anthers large, 2-cleft half-way up, capsule ovate, 2-valved.

Hab.—South Island: Mount Alta, 5,000 feet alt.—Buchanan and McKay, 1881.

Plate XXVIII, fig. 2, plant, nat. size; 2 a, leaf; 2 b, flower enlarged; 2 c, sepal.

Not uncommon on the mountains, and easily mistaken for a Veronica, more especially as all the specimens collected were found to have only 2 stamens.

Logania armstrongii, Buch., n.s.

A small rigid, close-branched prostrate plant, branches ascending, ½–1½ inches long, 1/7–⅙ inch diameter. Leaves densely 4-fariously imbricate, ovate, obtuse, entire, concave, ciliate on the margins of the lower half, connate in pairs at the base. Flowers solitary, terminal. Sepals 5, ciliate over the whole margins and back. Corolla 5-lobed, ⅙ inch diameter, tube short. Stamens 2, anthers 2-cleft half-way up, inserted within the mouth of the corolla. Capsule ovate, ciliate on the top, 2-valved.

Hab.—South Island: Hector's Col, Mount Aspiring, 5,000 feet alt,—Buchanan and McKay, 1881,

Plate XXVIII., fig. 3, plant nat. size; 3 a, leaf; 3 b, corolla; 3 c, diagram of corolla; 3 d, sepal; 3 e, ciliate capsule, etc.

A small inconspicuous alpine plant, closely related to Logania tetragona, Hook, fil., but differing much from that plant in the small closely-arranged rigid branches and leaves, the sepals being hispid over the back and margins, and in the ciliated capsule.

Named in compliment to J. B. Armstrong, who has added much to our knowledge of the Alpine Flora of New Zealand.

Mitrasacme hookeri, Buch., n.s.

Stems prostrate, much-branched, branches ascending, 1–4 inches high, ¼ inch diameter with the leaves on. Leaves coriaceous, closely 4-fariously imbricate, spreading, linear, widening at the base, obtuse, connate in pairs, ciliate along the margins, convex at back. Flowers tetramerous umbelled, umbels consisting of several 4-flowered spikes, each spike having two opposite pairs of bracteate flowers, the whole forming a ball near the ends of the branches. Calyx deeply 4-cleft, lobes glabrous, veined and ciliate on the margins. Corolla with a short tube, lobes orbicular. Stamens 2, inserted within the mouth of the corolla. Anthers oblong, sagittate. Capsule large, ovate or obovate, 2-celled. Seed numerous, ovate.

Hab.—South Island: Mount Alta, 5,000 feet alt.

Plate XXIX, fig. 1, plant nat. size; 1 a, leaf; 1 b, 4-merous flowered spikelet with 2-opposite pairs of leaves; 1 c, single flower; 1 d, bract, calyx, and capsule of lower pair of flowers; 1 e, diagram of corolla; 1 f, capsule and stigma; 1 g, sepal; 1 h, flower-bract of upper pair of flowers.

This plant bears a general resemblance to Hooker's Logania ciliolata. See Supplement to the “Handb. of the N.Z. Flora,” but that plant is described as having the flowers solitary in the axils of the upper leaves, whereas in the present plant they are arranged in umbels of bracteate spikelets, agreeing with Bentham's formula distinguishing between Logania and Mitrasacme.^* It has therefore been considered necessary to place the present and following species, M. cheesemanii, in that genus.

Mitrasacme cheesemanii, Buch., n.s.

A small, much-branched, rigid, woody shrub, branches ascending, 3–5 inches long, with the leaves on 1/16 inch diameter. Leaves coriaceous, densely, 4-fariously imbricate, triangular, acute, entire, concave, ciliate on the margins of the lower half, connate in pairs at the base. Flowers tetramerous umbelled, umbels consisting of 4 or more 4-flowered spikelets, each having 2 opposite pairs of bracteate flowers, forming a small ball at the termination of branches. Calyx deeply 4-cleft, lobes linear-obtuse, ciliate on the margins

and outer base. Corolla with a short tube, lobes 4, linear, obovate, obtuse. Stamens 2 inserted within the mouth of the corolla. Anthers large on top, and cleft half way up, capsule narrow-oblong, seated in a cup-shaped disc.

Hab.—South Island: Mount Alta, 5,000 feet alt.—Buchanan and McKay, 1881.

Plate XXIX., fig. 2, plant nat. size; 2 a, leaf; 2 b, 4-flowered spikelet; 2 c, flower; 2 d, diagram of corolla; 2 e, sepals front and side view; 2f, flower bract.

The tetramerous flowers and clustered arrangement of the spikelets place this species also in Mitrasacme, and the very small triangular-shaped leaves distinguish it from M. hookeri. The peculiar leafless-like branches and inconspicuous flowers of this small alpine cause it to be easily overlooked, but it is none the less interesting to botanists. Named in honour of T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S., who has added much to our knowledge of the botany of New Zealand.

Mitrasacme petriei, Buch., n.s.

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Stems prostrate, branched, branches ascending, 2/4 inches long. Leaves ⅓–½ inch long, oblong, or linear-oblong, obtuse, membraneous, sparingly cilio-glandular on the margins, 1-nerved, in opposite pairs, and connate at the base without stipules; flowering branches covered on the upper ⅔ of their length with closely-arranged tetramerous cilio-glandular leaf-like bracts. Flowers numerous, solitary in the axils of the upper bracts. Calyx deeply 4–5-cleft, lobes falcate, varying in size, linear-obtuse, and cilioglandular on the margins. Corolla with a rather long funnel-shaped tube; lobes 4, unequal, linear-oblong, acuminate, spreading. Stamens 2, filaments short, inserted within the mouth of the corolla, anthers short, cleft half way up and rounded on the points. Capsule ovoid, compressed, seated in a shallow cup. Seeds ovate, few.

Hab.—South Island: Mount Bonpland, 6,000 feet alt.—D. Petrie, 1881.

Plate XXX., fig. 1, plant nat. size; 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, leaves; 1 d, floret; 1 e, bract, sepals, and capsule; 1f, diagram of sepals; 1g, position of stamens; 1 h, seed.

The tetramerous flowers and absence of leaf stipules in the present plant are sufficient reasons for placing it in Mitrasacme, and the large distant leaves present sufficient claim as a new species. This addition to the Loganial alliance in New Zealand also maintains the peculiar feature of possessing only two stamens.

Collected on Mount Bonpland, at 5,000 feet alt., by D. Petrie, in compliment to whom it has been named.

Raoulia rubra, Buch., n.s.

A small fragrant patch plant, forming dense hemispherical balls or patches on the ground or on rocks, 4–8 inches high, and 6–12 inches across.

Branches short, with the leaves on ⅙ inch diameter, closely compacted, and terminating on the surface in numerous small firm knobs. Leaves imbricating in many series, ⅛ inch long, spathulate, rounded at top, membraneous, 1-nerved, with dense patches of pale blueish-green hairs on both surfaces above the middle, and exceeding the tip of the leaf. Heads very small, 1/10 inch diameter, 10–14-flowered; flowers dark crimson, in two series, inner bisexual, outer pistiliferous only, pistil sometimes 3-cleft, involucral scales numerous, glabrous, narrow-linear and rounded at the entire tip, or linear-spathulate with radiating tips. Pappus of few rigid, broad, or flattishshaped hairs, thickened towards the tip, and incised along its length.

Hab.—Mount Holdsworth, Tararua range, North Island, 4,500 feet alt., 1882.

Plate XXX., fig. 2, plant nat. size; 2 a, leaf; 2 b, floret; 2 c, scale; 2 d, pappus hair.

This plant is closely allied to Raoulia eximia, Hook. fil., from the Canterbury Mountains, and difficult to describe botanically as possessing much difference, yet its smaller size and bright red fragrant flowers present such contrasts as to claim for it a distinguishing name. This is the first occasion on which the vegetable sheep, as this and other species of Raoulia and Haastia are popularly named, have been collected in the North Island, affording an additional link in connecting the alpine floras of both islands.

Haastia loganii, Buch., n.s.

A small soft patch plant, forming little cushions on the ground or rocks, 6–12 inches across, and covered with soft, pale greenish-white wool, branches with the leaves on ⅓ inch diameter. Leaves ¼ inch long, entire, obovate or oblong, rounded at the tip or slightly cuneate, membraneous, 3-nerved, the nerves branching from near the bottom, recurved, arranged in several series, and hidden by the soft woolly hairs, which form a patch on the inner surface above the middle, and entirely covering the back. Heads ⅕ inch diameter, 40–50-flowered, involucral scales numerous, in several series, narrow-linear, obtuse, entire or with scarious tips, and with a small tuft of hairs on the middle of the back. Florets reddish, of two series, bisexual and pistiliferous, the first numerous, widening at the mouth, arms of style short, anthers without tails, the second with the corolla very short, tubular, mouth crenulate, styles with long exserted arms which are pappillose at the tip; pappus of 1 series of rigid hairs, free below, very much thickened at the tip and often incised. Achene compressed, linear, and covered with long silky hairs.

Hab.—Mount Holdsworth, Tararua Range, North Island, 4,500 feet alt., 1882.

Plate XXX., fig. 3, plant nat. size; 3 a, 3 b, leaves, back and front views; 3 c, floret; 3 d, scale; 3 e, pappus hair, much enlarged.

A very distinct little species, much smaller than Haastia pulvinaris, covered with soft, white, cottony wool, and with long silky hairs on the achene.

Named in honour of H. F. Logan, whose zeal in botanical science has added much to our knowledge of the flora of the North Island.

Phyllacne haastii, Berggen.

Helophyllum rubrum, Hook. fil.

Veronica müelleri, Buch., n.s.

A low flexuose, straggling, prostrate, glabrous or puberulent plant, 6–18 inches long, rooting along its numerous branches. Leaves shortly petioled, ⅕–⅓ inch long, ovate, ovate-oblong or linear-oblong, entire, or with 1–2 notches on each side. Flowers 1–2, terminal on the branches, and sitting among the leaves. Pedicels 1/10-⅙ inch long. Sepals ⅙ inch long, very obtuse. Corolla ⅓ inch diameter, dark pink, tube long, stamens large. Capsule didymous, shorter than the sepals.

Hab.—South Island: Hector's Col, Mount Aspiring Range. Alt. 5,000 feet—Buchanan and McKay, 1881. On open ridgey patches where the snows melt in summer. Allied to V. bidwillii in size and form of leaves, but entirely different in their fascicular arrangement, and the absence of flowering racemes.

Named in compliment to the distinguished botanist Baron von Müeller.

Plate XXXII., fig. 1, plant nat. size; 2, flower; 3, capsule; 4, capsule, with pistil; 5, different forms of leaf.

Notes on the genus Veronica.—This beautiful family of plants has suffered much by the settlement of the Lake districts, few being now seen on the river flats where they were once abundant. A few collected previously in 1862 were not seen at this time, although it is probable they may still be found in the more inaccessible parts of the mountains. The large ornamental shrub, Veronica cupressoides, once abundant, and often cultivated in gardens, is now rare. The alpine forms are apparently safe, being chiefly found on barren ground with a sparse vegetation where fires do not run. The highest altitude to which any of this genus reaches was on Mount Alta, where Veronica buchanani was collected at 7,500 feet. The following is a list of those collected at this time:—Veronica haastii, V. buxifolia, V. pimeleoides, V. buchanani, V. canescens, V. linifolia, V. salicifolia, V. ligustri-folia, V. macrantha, V. bidwillii, V. raoulii, V. tetragona, V. hectori, V. colensoi, V. lævis.

Pygmea ciliolata, Hook. fil.

A hoary moss-like plant, 1 inch high, forming compacted patches on the ground. Branches with the leaves on ⅕ inch diameter. Leaves densely imbricate, ⅛ inch long, obovate and rounded at top, entire, ciliate on the margins and nearly glabrous on both surfaces, 1-veined. Flowers 1/10-⅛ inch long, terminal on the branches. Sepals shorter than the corolla tube.

Hab.—Mount Alta, 6,000 feet alt.—Buchanan and McKay, 1881.

Plate XXXII., fig. 1, plant nat. size; 1 a, flower, enlarged 4/1; 1 b, leaf enlarged 6/1.

Pygmea pulvinaris, Hook. fil.

A white very hoary moss-like plant, 1 inch high, forming compacted patches on the ground. Branches with the leaves on ⅛ inch diameter. Leaves densely imbricate 1/10 inch long, narrow linear oblong, obtuse, upper half covered on both surfaces with white hairs, 1-veined. Flowers shortly peduncled, sepals linear, obtuse, nearly as long as the corolla tube.

Hab.—Mount Alta, 6,000 feet alt.—Buchanan and McKay, 1881.

Plate XXXII., fig. 2, plant nat. size; 2 a, flower enlarged 4/1; 2 b, c, leaves enlarged 5/1.

Pygmea thomsoni, Buch., n.s.

A small scarcely hoary moss-like plant, 1 inch high, forming compacted patches on the ground. Branches with the leaves on ⅙ inch diameter. Leaves coriaceous, densely imbricate, ⅛ inch long, quadrately obovate, obtuse, entire, ciliate on the margins, and on the upper part of the outer surface, 1-veined. Flowers ⅛ inch long, terminal on the branches, sepals linear, obtuse, shorter than the corolla tube.

Hab.—Mount Alta, 6,000 feet alt.—Buchanan and McKay, 1881.

Plate XXXII., fig. 3, plant nat. size; 3 a, flower enlarged ¼; 3 b, c, leaves enlarged 5/1.

The three species here figured comprise all at present known of the Genus Pygmea. From their extremely small size and hoary appearance they may easily escape observation, and except when in flower they are difficult to distinguish from hoary mosses such as species of Grimmia and Racomitrium. They may be recommended as well adapted for garden rockeries, living specimens being easily transported for long distanees.

Myosotis uniflora, Hook. fil.

Myosotis pulvinaris, Hook. fil.

Myosotis hectori, Hook. fil.

Abrotanella inconspicua, Hook. fil.

Raoulia m'kayi, Buch., n.s.

A slender open-foliaged plant. Stems 2–3 inches long, prostrate. Branches ½–1 inch long, erect or depressed. Leaves membraneous, spreading, ½–¾ inch long, narrow, linear-oblong, round on the tip, apiculate, covered on the upper third on both sides with white, loose, silky wool, veins reticulate. Heads small, ⅛ inch across, involucral scales ¼ inch long, in 3 series of 8–9 each series, linear, or narrow-oblong, acuminate or obtuse, scarcely radiating at tip, inner series very narrow, the whole shining, pale-yellow, florets numerous, 50–60, receptacle flat, pappus hairs few, slender, pilose, not thickened at the tips. Achene glabrous, with a thickened areole at the base.

The silvery open foliage and scattered golden-coloured flowers of this small swamp-plant, as it is usually found on dark peaty bottoms, is very attractive. It is evidently in its general features, and in the pappus hairs not being swollen at the tips, allied to Raoulia tenuicaulis, Hook. fil., but the large reticulate leaves and numerous florets determine its claim as a new species of Raoulia, if the large foliage does not ally it more closely to Gnaphalium.

Named in compliment to Mr. A. McKay, of the Geological Survey, as a successful collector, who discovered the present species on Black Peak Range, South Island, at 5,000 feet alt.

Hab.—In swampy places.

Plate XXXIV., fig. 2, plant nat. size; 2 a, floret; 2 b, scales; 2 c, leaves.

Roulia parkii, Buch., n.s.

A small densely tufted plant. Stems prostrate, ascending. Branches numerous, erect, with the leaves on ⅙ inch diameter. Leaves closely imbricating, erecto-patent, ⅛ inch long, spathulate and covered on both surfaces with closely appressed, pale greenish-yellow, or white, tomentum. Heads ¼ inch across, 14–16-flowered, scales in 2 series, inner, narrow, linear, obtuse, entire, or finely crenate at tip; outer, shorter and broader, finely crenate on the obtuse tip, receptacle concave or flat, naked; pappus hairs swollen at the tip and incised. Achene glandular.

This beautiful little alpine was collected on Mount Alta range, South Island, by Mr. McKay, at an alt. of 5,000 feet.

Hab.—Dry places. It is also found in the North Island.

Named in compliment to Mr. J. Park, assistant, Geological Survey.

Plate XXXIV., fig. 3, plant nat. size; 3 a, floret; 3 b, pappus hair; 3 c, scale; 3 d, leaf.

Notes on the genus Raoulia.—The genus Raoulia may be considered as one of the best represented in New Zealand, both as regards number of species, and abundance of plants. Not only do they enjoy an almost entire immunity from fire, but they increase and spread on the ashes of other plants, they flourish on the most barren ground, and cover poverty of soil and gravels with much floral beauty; on river flats and mountain sides they are equally abundant, proving useful as sand-binders, or in fixing springy hill slopes. They may be considered worthless as food, and, in fact, were they otherwise, it would be almost impossible for stock to break in on the hard, close, compacted masses of such species as Raoulia eximia, or R. mammillaris, the vegetable sheep of the shepherds. The species of this genus collected were Raoulia australis, R. tenuicaulis, R. hectori, R. m'kayi, R. parkii, R. subserica, R. glabra, R. mammillaris.

Celmisia dallii, Buch., n.s.

Leaves radical, rosulate, 6–8 inches long, 1½–2 inches broad, sessile, coriaceous, linear-oblong, acute, serrate and apiculate on the serratures, closely covered on back with shining pale buff tomentum. Scape 8–10 inches long, glabrous, bracts few, alternate, large, leafy, coriaceous, 1½–2½ inches long, ¼–½ inch broad with pale buff tomentum on back, same as leaves. Head 1½ inches diameter, involucre of 2 forms. Outer, large, leaf-like, ¼–1 inch long ⅛–¼ broad, covered on the back with shining pale buff tomentum.

Art. XLVIII.—On some Plants new to New Zealand, and Description of a new Species.

By John Buchanan, of the Geological Survey Department.

Art. XLIX.—On new Species of New Zealand Diatoms.

By John Inglis.

Plate XXII., fig. 1: a, front view; b, suture; c, side view.

Art. L.—Description of new Plants.

By J. B. Armstrong.

Viola hydrocotyloides, n. sp.

Asplenium canterburiense, n. sp.

Art. LI.—Description of new Plants.

By D. Petirie, M.A.

[Read before the Otago Institute, 19th July, 1881.]
Carex wakatipu, n. sp.

Art. LII.—Notes on Epacris microphylla in New Zealand.

By A. T. Urquhart.

Art. LIII.—On the Sugar Values of Beet-roots grown in the Waikato District

By J. A. Pond.

Art. LIV.—Notes on Sorghum Experiment.

By Mr. Justice Gillies.

Art. LV.—On an abnormal Growth of New Zealand Flax.

By the Rev. Philip Walsh, of Waitara.

Art. LVI.—On the New Zealand Olives.

By T. Kirm, F.L.S.

The leaves exhibit a marked dimorphism at different periods of growth; those of the young state, especially when growing in the shade, are broadly ovate, from 3″–6″ long and from 2½″–3″ across, petioled, acute or sub-acute, narrowed below, coriaceous and of a deep glossy green resembling those of Camellia japonica, but with the margins entire. The mature leaves are much narrower in proportion to their length, 1½″–3″ long and from 1″–11/12″ broad with the midrib prominent on both surfaces, elliptic acuminate, brownish and rough to the touch beneath.

I have not seen male flowers, but the female flowers are produced in vast abundance, the racemes being fully 1½ long, 15–18-flowered, glabrous, stout; stigmas spreading short and thick. The drupe appears to be obscurely trigonous, but I have only seen three or four old specimens.

It is worthy of note that in this species the leaves of the young tree are much broader than those of the mature state. In the other species the young leaves are invariably the narrowest. In O. apetala the broad leaves are often retained until the tree is fully grown, but this is never the case with either of the other species.

This species has been collected on the Fanal Islands, Arid Islands, Great Barrier, Little Barrier, Taranga Islands, and at Bream Head.

Olea cunninghamii, Hook. f.

This is much the largest of the New Zealand species, often attaining the height of 70 feet, with a trunk 3–6 feet in diameter at six feet from the ground, while the principal branches are often of large dimensions. The leaves are rough on both surfaces; in the young state they are linear, 6″–10″ long, 3/8-5/8 wide, acute, gradually passing into the mature form, 3″–6″ long, 1¼–1¾″broad, oblong lanceolate or broadly lanceolate, obtuse or acute. Racemes tomentose, rather shorter than those of O. apetala, pedicels short, spreading at right angles to the rhachis; pistillate flowers with two sessile staminodia. Drupe ½″-⅔″ long, ovoid, narrowed upwards, red.

This species occurs from the North Cape to Cook Strait, but is most plentiful in the southern part of the North Island, attaining its greatest dimensions in the south-eastern portion of the Wellington district. At Pakuratahi I measured five trees growing within a short distance of each other, with the following results:—

Above 6 feet from the ground the trunk tapers very gradually, and holds its girth well up to the crown. No. 5 was a magnificent tree; after making all deductions for bark and waste, it must contain over 500 cubic feet of convertible timber.

Olea lanceplata, Hook. f.

This makes a round-headed tree of smaller dimensions than O. cunninghamii, being rarely more than 50 feet in height, with a trunk from 1 to 3 feet in diameter. Not unfrequently small specimens less than 20 feet high produce fruit in abundance.

The leaves are smooth and glossy in all stages; in the young state narrow-linear, 3″–5″ long; in the mature state linear-lanceolate or ovatelanceolate, acuminate. Racemes slender, calyx deeply cleft, segments linear. Drupe trigonous crimson. There are two primary forms of this species:—

This is the most common species, especially in the north. It is also found at Wairoa, in the Nelson district.

Olea montana, Hook. f.

This species forms an excessively branched round-headed tree; branches slender. Leaves linear acute, in the young state 3″–5″ long, when mature 1″–3″ glossy. Racemes slender, finely puberulous, 1″ long, about 12-flowered. Calyx lobes shallow, broad, obtuse. Styles shorter than in O. cunning hamii. Drupe ovoid, narrowed at base and apex.

In specimens collected at Whangaroa (North) the branchlets are almost capillary, and the leaves less than ⅓ in breadth.

O. montana is rare and local north of the Rangitikei, in some localities being restricted to a few specimens, or even to a solitary tree, but in the southern part of the Wellington district it is common. It is especially plentiful in the valley of the Ruamahanga, where it attains a large size.

A solitary specimen at Karori is fully 60 feet high, with a trunk 40 feet in the clear. Girth at base 9′ 1″, tapering to 7′ 4″ at 6 feet from the ground, but above that holding its girth well up towards the crown. I have been assured that specimens are found on the lower flanks of the Rimutaka fully equal in dimensions to the largest specimens of O. cunninghamii.

It will be seen that O. apetala has the most restricted distribution, not being known to occur south of the Little Barrier Island. It extends, however, northward to Norfolk Island. O.lanceolata, is the only species found on the southen side of Cook Strait

Art. LVII.—Notice of the Occurrence of Triodia and Atropis in New Zealand with Descriptions of new Species.

By T. Kirk, F.L.S.

Art. LVIII.—A Revision of the New Zealand Lepidia, with Descriptions of new Species.

By T. Kirk, F.L.S

Art. LIX.—Notes on recent Additions to the New Zealand Flora.

By T. Kirk, F.L.S.

Art. LX.—Notes on Plants from Campbell Island.

By T. Kirk, F.L.S.