Critical Species.

Myosotis australis R. Br. var. lytteltonensis (Laing and Wall) var. nov. (Text-figs. 1–3.)

Ramis decumbentibus vel prostratis, crassioribus, rachide multo-breviore quam in forma typica; stylo filiformi gracili, aequanti corollae tubo in longitudine, nucellis maturis nigris nitentibus, leviter ochratis vel fulvis, non subferrugineis.

In the previous list was mentioned among the critical species a form of M. australis with the habit and external appearance of M. Forsteri. It seems sufficiently distinct and local to require a varietal name. The following is a somewhat fuller description:—

Plant biennial. Stems branched from root, decumbent or prostrate or ascending at tips, stout and scarcely flaccid, 6–18 in. long, hispid with straight or more or less appressed hairs, lower leaves on rather stout petioles 2–3 in. long, petiole 1–2 in. long, sheathing at base; blade 1–2 in. long, oblong to spathulate, obtuse or apiculate, rather membranous, margins and midrib hispid, and both surfaces hispidulous. Racemes somewhat elongated, pedicels ½0 in. long, rather stout, many-flowered. Flowers white, or white with yellow eye, ¼–⅓ in. long, ¼ in. in diameter. Calyx tubular in flower, becoming campanulate in fruit, hispid with spreading sometimes hooked hairs, five-lobed to beyond middle, lobes linear to linear-lanceolate acuminate. Corolla-tube funnel-shaped and nearly twice length of calyx, throat with five scales; lobes short, rounded. Anthers included, their tips barely equalling corolla-scales. Style much longer than calyx and equalling corolla-scales. Nutlets ovoid not orbicular, length about 1½ times breadth, when ripe shining-yellowish or greyish-black—not pale brown.

The plant has much more resemblance to M. Fosteri than to M. australis in its exterior appearance; but in the details of its structure it comes much nearer to the latter. It differs from M. australis in being decumbent or prostrate, in the much less elongated rachis, in the long style, and in somewhat lighter colour of the nutlets.

From M. Forsteri it differs in being much stouter and stiffer, in the calyx being divided nearly three-quarters of the way down, in the elongated corolla, the shape of the nutlets, and perhaps also in their colour. It apparently bears considerable resemblance to M. australis var. conspicua, which, however, is unknown to us.

Hab.—Cliffs above Lyttelton, Governor's Bay, and Summer Road.

Anisotome Enysii (T. Kirk) Laing.

We can find none but trivial differences between this and the Castle Hill plant. In the Banks Peninsula form the bracts are rather narrower. longer, and more acute, and nearly connate.