Orders, and those characteristic of the eastern portions of the old world, are found ; thus, the plant in question is confined to the west shores of Chili ; Prionotes Americana, the only South American Epaerideous plant, to Fuegia and western Chili; Goodenia radicans to the Pacific coasts of Chili; Forstera uliginosa, the only American Stylidia, to the mountains of Fuegia; Astelia pumila, to the same localities; Veronica elliptica (decussata, auct.), a New Zealand species, also to Fuegia. To these might be added many other instances, which, though individually not so conclusive, shew by their number that proximity in geographical position is accompanied by a certain resemblance in some of the vegetable productions, even in countries whose flowers are in every other respect unlike ; a similarity, seldom amounting to specific identity in the tropical and warmer latitudes, but frequently so in proportion as we approach the poles. For an instance, I would cite the Floras of Chili, between 40° and 45°, containing many of the features of New Zealand and Australian Botany, though few or no species are common to both ; whilst Fuegia and the countries between 50° and 56°, contain far more representatives of south New Zealand and Tasmanian plants, and a very considerable proportion of species found in those countries.
A native also of Valdivia and Chiloe and a very peculiar plant, especially in the presence of large glands on either side the base of the petiole of every leaf, which are formed of an inflation of the cuticle of the bark.
2. MYRTUS, L.
1. Myrtus Ugni, Molin., CMl.ed. Gall. p. 133. Feuill. Obs. vol. iii. p. 44. t. 31. Lamk. Encycl. vol. iv. p. 412. DC. Prodr. vol. iii. p. 239. Eugenia Ugni, Hook, et Am. in Bot. Misc. vol. iii. p. 318. "Ugni" incolariim, et "Murtilla" Hispanorum.
Hab. Clionos Archipelago ; C. Darwin, Esq.
The leaves of this species vary considerably, both in size and shape, the largest being at least an inch long, perfectly elliptical and attenuated at both extremities, while in other specimens they are much smaller, broadly ovate or even rotundate. Feuille's description of the seeds inclines me to refer this plant to the genus Myrtus; he says it is abundant in Chili, where the natives express the juice of the fruit, which, when mixed with water, affords a grateful drink. The berries smell agreeably. Feuille's figure may possibly refer to some other plant and not the one he describes. The Myrtus Ugni appears to abound, from the latitude of Concepcion, south to the Chonos Archipelago.
2. Myrtus Nummularia, Poiret, Encycl. vol. iv. p. 407. Gandichaud hi Ann. Sc. Nat. vol. v. p. 106. t. 2. f. 5. et in Freyc. Voy. Bot. p. 138. If Urville in Mem. Soc. Linn. Paris, vol. iv. p. 619. DC. Prodr. vol. iii. p. 238. "Lucet rnusque," Pernetty Voy. vol. ii. p. 58.
Var. j3, major ; caule robustiore, foliis rnajoribus, peclicellis paulo longioribus, lobis calyeinis petalisque angustioribus.
Hab. South Chili, Fuegia and the Falkland Islands; Commerson and all subsequent voyagers.
Var. /3, Chiloe, Capt. King. Chonos Archipelago, C. Darwin, Esq.
One of the most common denizens of the countries it inhabits, spreading over the ground amongst the roots and stems of other plants, like the Vaccinium Oxycoccos or craneberry of Britain. The berries have a sweet and agreeable flavour, they are red and very fleshy. The leaves afforded a substitute for tea to the sealers who visited, and the first settlers in, the Falkland Islands ; this beverage was so relished, that in spite of its diuretic properties, the Gauchoes in these Islands prefer it to Chinese tea. Capt. King collected the species at Concepcion in Chili, its northern limit. The M. oxycoccoides, Benth., of Colombia, is a very nearly allied plant, but its leaves are generally smaller and always truly ovate ; here invariably oblong. It is possible that the var. β may prove distinct, though I am not inclined to consider it so. This creeping South American Myrtus, together with
