The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage/Part I/Compositae

2580299The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage, Part I — XV. CompositæJoseph Dalton Hooker

XV. COMPOSITÆ, Vaill.


Tribe SENECIONIDEÆ, Less.


1. TRINEURON, Hook. fil.


Capitulum sub-12-florum; floribus exterioribus 8–10, fœmineis, 2 serialibus; interioribus abortu masculis; omnibus ut videtur tubulosis. Involucrum octophyllum, subbiseriale, squamis inter se subæqualibus oblongo-lanceolatis obtusis trinerviis, nervis latiusculis pellucidis transversim septatis. Receptaculum nudum, minutum, convexiusculum. Fl. Fœm. Corolla tubulosa, basi globosa, medio cylindracea et constricta, ore obliquo 4-dentato, sub-bilabiato, dentibus obtusis, 1 reliquis sub-duplo longioribus. Stylus incrassatus, cylindraceus, exsertus, basi bulbosus, bifidus, ramis ovato-oblongis obtusis marginibus apiceque stigmatiferis. Achcænium calvum, late obovatum, apice retusum, extus planiusculum, intus carinatum, carina marginibusque celluloso-incrassatis.—Fl. Masc. Corolla tubulosa, clavata, subtetragona, angulis incrassatis linea elevata cellulosis, 4-dentata, dentibus acutis erectis æqualibus. Stamina 4; filamentis ima basi corollæ insertis, angulis incrassatis alternantibus; antheris vix ac ne vix liberis, basi breviter productis. Stylus exsertus, basi (ut in fl. fœm.) bulboso-incrassatus, apice capitato truncato obscure bilobo. Achcænium parvum, vacuum.—Herba repens laxe cæspitosa, ramosa, glaberrima, ad terram montibus insularum Auckland et Campbell obvia. Folia alterna. Capitula inconspicua in ramis ultimis, primum inter folia sessilia, demum pedunculis propriis ultra folia productis apice foliiferis elevata. Flores fusco-purpurascentes. Folia spathulata v. lineari-spathulata elongata.


1. Trineuron spathulatum, Hook. fil. (Tab. XVII.)

Hab. Lord Auckland's group and Campbell's Island; on peaty soil, near the summits of the mountains, alt. 1200-1400 feet.

Caulis breviusculus, 1-2 unc. longus, sublignosus, repens, fibras copiosas validas elongatas per totam longitudinem emittens, et reliquiis foliorum vetustorum undique tectus, superne parce ramosus; ramis brevibus ascendentibus erectisve foliosis ultra folia in pedunculum nudum apice floriferum productis. Folia basi imbricata, undique patentia, lineari-spathulata, glaberrima, integerrima, plus minusve elongata, ¼-1 unc. longa, obtusa, 3-5-nervia, plana, subcarnosa, læte viridia. Capitula parva, subsolitaria, vel 3-4 aggregata, juniora valde inconspicua, inter folia occulta, demum pedunculata; pedunculo ¼-1 unc. longo, apice folioso, foliis 2-3 reliquis longioribus. Flores minimi, vix ½ lin. longi, sub lente pulchre rubro-purpurei.

A very remarkable genus, most nearly allied to Abrotanella, Cass. (Oligosporus emarginatus, Gaud. in Ann. Sc. Nat. vol. V. p. 104. t. 3. fig. 4), but of a very different habit, and in many other particulars quite distinct, especially in the more numerous scales of the involucre, inserted in two series, in the many-flowered capitula, the quadrifid corollas of the ray, the curious tetragonous corollas of the disc, and the thickened cellular structure which exists in several parts of this plant. Besides the achænia having a thickened border and keel in front, formed of large lax transparent cells, the incrassated angles of the male flowers and the three nerves of the involucral leaves, exhibit the same singular character. In both the latter cases, the substance of the organs themselves, which are opake and fleshy, seems to be divided by broad lines of a transparent substance, marked with transverse septa.

Many of the discoid Senecionidæ, and especially in the tribe Hippiæ of Lessing, are remarkable for the curious and anomalous structure of their inflorescence. In several instances, as in the present, it may be doubted whether the flowers of the ray are really tubular, the general unequal division and oblique aperture of the mouth appearing to indicate their true structure as either ligulate or 2-lipped; 2-lipped perhaps in the present and the following genus, and assuredly 1-lipped or ligulate in Abrotanella, where I observe the three teeth all to point towards one side of the tube, with the middle one the longest. The teeth in this species have the margins thickened, and apparently revolute. The base of the style is peculiarly incrassated, especially in the female flower, having the base of the corolla swollen around it, and the thickened portion often forms a depressed sphere, in which the style seems to be inserted, and it sometimes assumes the appearance of a fleshy ring or corona, surmounting the top of the ovary.

The name is adopted in allusion to the three cellular nerves or lines of the ovary and involucral scales.

Plate XVII. Fig. 1 , capitulum; fig. 2, scale of the involucrum; fig. 3, side view, and fig. 4, front view of flowers of the ray; fig. 5, back, and fig. 6, front view of ripe achænium; fig. 7, style of a flower of the ray, with its bulbous base; fig. 8, flower of the disc; fig. 9, stamen, and fig. 10, style from the same:—all magnified.

2. CERATELLA, Hook. fil.

Capitula aggregata, singulo 8–10-floro; floribus exterioribus sub 8, fœmineis, 1-serialibus; interioribus abortu masculis, omnibus, ut videtur, tubulosis. Involucrum 8–10-phyllum, squamis biserialibus coriaceis subacutis valde inæqualibus, interioribus linearibus 1–3-nerviis angustatis, exterioribus foliaceis latioribus plurinerviis, nervis omnibus cellulosis pellucidis transverse septatis. Receptaculum nudum, angustum, minutum, planiusculum vel subconicum, foveolatum. Fl. Fœm. Corolla tubulosa, elongata, basi globosa, ore profunde 4-dentato, dentibus majusculis subinæqualibus oblongis obtusis concavis medio macula oblonga pallida cellulosa pellucida deorsum in lineam extensa. Stylus validus, exsertus, basi bulbosus, apice breviter bifidus. Achænium compressum, tetragonum, anguste tetrapterum, alis membranaceis, oblongo-obovatum, 4-cornutum, cornubus brevibus divaricatis, 2 exterioribus sublongioribus. Fl. Masc. Corolla tubulosa, lineari-clavata, 3–4-dentata, sub 3–4-angulata, angulis pellucidis, dentibus concavis, dorso macula pellucida et linea extensa, ut in fl. fœm. Antheræ latiusculæ, inclusæ, basi breviter biaristatæ, apice apiculatæ, flavæ. Stylus validus, cylindraceus, corolla ⅓ brevior, apice sensim latiore abrupte truncato margine crenato. Achænium obscure 4-gonum, parvum, vacuum omnino calvum.—Herba pusilla, dense cæspitosa, Androsacis facie, rupibus præruptis ad cacumina montium insulæ Campbell proveniens. Folia alterna, densissime imbricata, stellatim patentia. Capitula aggregata, inter folia summa sessilia. Flores purpurascentes, parvi, inconspicui.


1. Ceratella rosulata, Hook. fil. (Tab. XVIII.)

Hab. Campbell's Island; in crevices of rocks at the tops of the mountains, at an elevation of 1400 feet; very sparingly.

Caules dense pulvinati, ramosi, duri, rigidi, 1–1½ unc. longi, validi, inferne foliis vetustioribus dense obsiti, fusco-nigrescentes. Folia arete imbricata, stellatim patentia, coriacea vel subcornea, superiora rosulata, basi latiore vaginante scariosa, medio contracta, deinde ovata, acuta, plus minusve concava, subtus striato-nervosa, marginibus acuentibus, superiora gradatim minora, 2–3 lin. longa, intense viridia, ætate fusco-tincta. Capitula in summos ramos 8–10, congesta, brevissime pedunculata, inconspicua, foliis subtensa, 2 lin. longa. Involucri squamæ irregulariter insertæ, ovato-oblongæ, subacutæ, concavæ, nervosæ, nervis (ut in Trineuro) celluloso-incrassatis transversim septatis pellucidis, interiores angustiores. Flores parvi, purpurei.

This plant is perhaps more closely allied to the last genus (Trineuron) than to any other, and exhibits many remarkable points of affinity with it, especially in the pellucid thickened parts of the flower and nerves of the involucral leaves; likewise the general structure of the capitula, corollas, stamens and styles is much alike in both. But while so many instances of resemblance exist, the totally different nature of the achænium becomes the more striking. In the tufted habit, harsh, coriaceous, even horny texture, the plant is more allied to Abrotanella emarginata.

These three genera form together a small group, allied in several respects to Hippia, Lessing, but naturally distinct, all the species of that division being herbaceous, more or less odorous, and often even furnished with pellucid glands.

The name is derived from the little horn-like processes of the achænium.

Plate XVIII. Fig. 1, a head of capitula; fig. 2, single capitulum, removed; fig. 3, receptacle and involucral scales; fig. 4, a flower of the ray; fig. 5, the same cut open; fig. 6, achænium; fig. 7, a 3-toothed flower of the disc; fig. 8, the same, with four teeth; fig. 9, the same cut open, and fig. 10, a stamen from do.:—all magnified.



3. LEPTINELLA, Cass.

Capitulum ∞ florum, heterogamum; floribus exterioribus fœmineis bi-triserialibus, disci abortu masculis tubulosis. Involucrum hemisphæricum, 1–4-seriale, 8–20-phyllum, squamis oblongo-obovatis vel suborbiculatis adpressis. Receptaculum conicum, nudum, papillosum. Flor. Radii. Corolla compressa, tubulosa, basi latiore, ore obliquo 3–4-dentato, quasi e duplice membrana formata. Stylus exsertus, inclinatus, basi bulbosus, apice bifidus, ramis divaricatis oblongis versus apicem barbatis. Achcænium calvum, valde obcompressum, elongato-obovatum, marginibus incrassatis. Flor. Disci. Corolla tubulosa, infundibuliformis, 5-dentata, dentium marginibus incrassatis. Antheræ ecaudatæ, cohærentes, exsertæ. Stylus exsertus, apice abrupte incrassato, cyathiformi, basi bulboso. Achænium parvum, vacuum.—Herbæ antarcticæ et hemisphærii australis incolæ, odore Fœniculi vel Tanaceti, plus minusve pilosæ seu lanatæ. Caules prostrati, radicantes, ramis brevissimis foliosis adscendentibus. Folia alterna, petiolata, basi scarioso-vaginantia, pinnatisecta. Capitula parva, solitaria, longe pedunculata, pedunculis terminalibus. Flores lutei. Cass. in DeC. Prodr. (paucis verbis mutatis).


1. Leptinella lanata, Hook. fil.; caule prostrato, petiolis foliis superne pedunculisque lana longa densa molli albida vestitis, foliis petiolatis oblongis obtusis pinnatifidis segmentis acutis margine superiore pinnatifido-serratis basi vaginantibus, involucris carnosis floribusque totis glandulis obsitis, pedunculis foliis brevioribus in ramis brevibus terminalibus, involucris 3–4 serialibus glabris.

Hab. Lord Auckland's group; hanging abundantly over rocks and cliffs near the sea.

Caules herbacei, prostrati, decumbentes et adscendentes, vage ramosi, hie illic radices fibrosas emittentes; vetustiores nudi, pallide brunnei, remote cicatricosi; juniores foliosi, lanati, vaginis scariosis foliorum obsiti, ¾–2 ped. longi, pennæ gallinæ crassitie, lana copiosa laxa, gossypio simillima, e fibris intertextis tenuissimis simplicibus albidis formata. Folia petiolata, alterna, patentia, ovato-oblonga, obtusa, sub 1 unc. longa, flavo-viridia, plana, pinnatifida, supra juniora præsertim lanata, crassa, carnosa, segmentis ovatis obliquis 1–2 lin. longis, margine inferiore integra recta, superiore pinnatifido-serrata, segmentis acutis. Petioli folio æquilongi, lati, plani, basi vaginantes, scarioso-nervosi, nudi. Pedunculi e summis ramulis orti, solitarii, subunciales, recti, densissime lanati, foliis breviores. Capitulum diametro ¼ unc. Involucrum 4–5-seriale, squamis exterioribus valde carnosis, glandulosis, elliptico-rotundatis, viridibus, 1–1½ lin. longis, interioribus angustioribus, submembranaceis. Receptaculum nudum, conicum, latiusculum, papillosum, papillis elevatis ad apices foveolatis flores gerentibus. Flores radii fœminei, 3–4-seriales, densissime imbricati numerosi, glandulis conglobatis prominentibus obsiti. Corolla ovato-oblonga, compressa, e membrana duplici formata, 4-crenata, lobo unico longiore alio sæpe obliterato. Stylus breviter exsertus, basi bulbosus, quasi annulo carnoso epigyno valde depresso cinctus, apice breviter bifidus, ramis divaricatis obovato-oblongis obtusis extus dorso penicillatis. Achænium obovatum, compressum, margine subincrassato. Flores disci numerosi, abortu masculi, glandulosi ut in fl. radii. Corolla tubuloso-infundibuliformis, 4-dentata, dentium marginibus incrassatis. Antheræ cohærentes, inclusæ. Stylus validus, superne exsertus, inclinatus, apice cyathiformi. Achænium vix ullum abortivum.

This plant resembles, in some respects, the L. scariosa, Cass., but is very much larger, densely woolly in many parts, with its leaves shorter and less regularly divided; it also wants the pellucid glands which beset the leaves of that species and contain a powerful essential oil.

Plate XIX. Fig. 1, receptacle and involucrum; Fig. 2, a flower of the ray; fig. 3, side view of the same; fig. 4, transverse section of the same; fig. 5, style from the same; fig. 6, bifid apex of do.; fig. 7, flower of the disc; fig. 8, style of the same; fig. 9, stamen; fig. 10, glands from the corolla:—all magnified.


2. Leptinella plumosa, Hook. fil.; tota pilis longis laxis molliter hirsuta, foliis longe petiolatis lineari-oblongis obtusis tripinnatifidis segmentis ultimis subulatis, pedunculis terminalibus lateralibusque solitariis elongatis gracilibus petiolo æquilongis, involucre 1-seriali floribusque eglandulosis, corollis fœmineis cordato-ovatis. (Tab. XX.)

Hab. Lord Auckland's group and Campbell's Island; amongst gravel and on grassy banks near the sea. McQuarrie's Island, (Herb. Hook.)

Caulis herbaceus, repens, breviusculus, crassitie pennæ anserinæ et ultra, parce ad apicem præcipue ramosus, ramis divaricatis brevibus foliosis 1-uncialibus nodosis, ad nodos fibras crassas descendentes emittens, hie illic molliter sericeo-pilosus. Folia longe petiolata, una- cum petiolo 3- unc. ad pedalem, flaccida, molliter pilosa, multisecta, quasi pulcherrime plumosa, lato-oblonga, pinnata; pinnæ alternæ, patentes, divaricatæ, subfalcatæ, ¼–1 unc. longæ, lineari-oblongæ, superiores utrinque bipinnatifidæ, inferiores margine posteriore integro, superiore solummodo pinnatifido, segmentis linearibus acuminatis margine exteriore præcipue profunde et acute inciso-serratis. Petioli folio æquilongi, graciles, antice plani vel concavi, marginibus submembranaceis, basi longe et latissime scarioso-membranacei, vaginantes, vaginis ½ unc. longis integris striato-nervosis, ore nudo. Pedunculi gracillimi, axillares, in ramis brevissimis terminales, petiolo paulo longiores, plus minusve laxe albido sericei. Capitula solitaria, diametro circa ¼ unc., depresso-globosa. Involucrum cyathiforme; squamæ 1-seriales, æquales, basi subconnatæ, oblongæ, obtusæ, herbaceæ, floribus breviores, marginibus late scariosis denticulatis apice fusco-purpureis. Receptaculum nudum, elevatum, conicum, totum papillosum, papillis inferioribus gradatim longioribus, hinc flores radii manifeste stipitati. Flores radii fœminei, 2–3-seriales, numerosi, dense aggregati, imbricati, incurvati. Corolla structura insignis, cordato-ovata, compressa, dorso parum convexa, superne attenuata, ore obliquo 4-dentato, dentibus brevissimis obtusis unico longiore, e duplici membrana quasi formata, interiore cylindraceo gracili stylum amplectente et ejusdem formæ, apice ovarii inserta; inter has duas membranas vacua. Stylus validus, basi globoso-incrassatus, exsertus, cylindraceus, tubo interno corollæ arete vaginatus, apice bifidus, ramis brevibus obtusis dorso ad apicem hirsutulis. Achænium corolla angustius, obovatum, obcompressum, crassum, calvum, marginibus incrassatis. Semen in loculo solutum. Embryo elongato-pyriformis. Flores disci abortu masculi, tubulosi. Corolla infundibuliformis, 5-dentatus, dentibus patentibus marginibus incrassatis. Antheræ ½-exsertæ, cohærentes, ecaudatæ, filamentis linearibus ad medium tubi insertis. Stylus validus, crassiusculus, exsertus, paulo inclinatus, apice dilatato cyathiformi marginibus membranaceis integris, basi bulbosa, bulba oblongo-cylindracea. Achænium minutum, abortivum.

This is by far the most beautiful species of the genus, apparently common to the islands of the high Southern Indian and Pacific Oceans, but hitherto unknown among the Antarctic American groups. It was first detected on McQuarrie's Island, whence specimens were received by Mr. Frazer in New Holland, and by him transmitted to England; but it is not ascertained who found them, though it is more than probable they were gathered by some person accompanying a sealer. It is the only Composite plant as yet known to inhabit Kerguelen's Island, where it covers very large tracts of ground with its silvery and beautifully feathery foliage, smelling strongly, but not unpleasantly, of parsley. The female corollas of both species are represented as they being of my original sketches: when dried they seem much more compressed, their membranous texture appear in such extreme tenuity, that it is probable they never recover their original form after once being subjected to pressure.

Plate XX. Fig. 1, receptacle and part of involucrum; fig. 2, scale of involucrum; fig. 3, flower of ray in natural state; fig. 4, anterior, and fig. 5, lateral view of the same from dried specimens; fig. 6, transverse, and fig. 7, longitudinal section of the same; fig. 8, apex of style from do.; fig. 9, achænium cut open; fig. 10, flower of disc; fig. 11, portion of corolla and stamen of do.; fig. 12, style of do.:—all magnified.


3. Leptinella propinqua, Hook. fil.; tota pilis sericeis patentibus mollibus hirsuta, caule repente, foliis petiolatis glandulis impressis pellucidis punctatis oblongis obtusis basi attenuatis pinnatisectis segmentis obovatis inciso-pinnatifidis laciniis acutis, pedunculis folio brevioribus solitariis axillaribus sublanatis, involucri squamis 1–1½ serialibus oblongis obtusis extus hirsutis marginibus ad apices late scariosis denticulatis fusco-purpureis, floribus glandulosis, floris fœminei corollis ovatis achænio brevioribus, floris masculi corollis 4-fidis dentium marginibus incrassatis fuscis.

Hab. Lord Auckland's group; on banks near the sea.

In many respects this species is intermediate between the two former, but is equally distinct from both, and so nearly allied to the L. scariosa, as to induce me to adopt the name of propinqua; it differs from that plant in its much larger size, more divided leaves and very woolly habit. The genus Leptinella appears to have been hitherto but little understood by botanists; it was founded by Cassini in 1822, upon (apparently very imperfect) specimens of two plants whose habitat was entirely unknown. In 1841 it was again taken up by the authors of 'Contributions to a Flora of South America, &c.' (vide Hook. Journ. Bot. vol. iii. p. 325), where a supposed new species, L. acænoides, H. and Arn., is described. This latter is a very common plant in the extreme south of the American continent, and we have assumed it to be the L. scariosa of Cassini and DeCandolle, the leaves and peduncle being either smooth or hairy in that plant. There are still some characters described by the above-mentioned authors as belonging to that genus which my specimens do not exhibit. Thus all the flowers are stated in one species to be females: I do not find this to be the case; nor should much stress be laid upon a peculiarity of structure, drawn from a single capitulum "dont les fleurs sont extrèmement petites et défigurées ou altérées par la désiccation et la compression" (Cassini in Dict. Sc. Nat. vol. xxvi. p. 67). In all the plants of the genus which I have examined, the heads of flowers are monœcious; but the flowers of the disc especially, being all males, are, after the performance of their functions, easily displaced by pressure. The "long, straight, linear, obtuse, bracteiform leaf" (Dict. Sc. Nat. l.c.) at the base of the peduncle is also not apparent; nor am I able to conceive to what organ of our plant this can apply, except a young cauline leaf, generally present near the peduncle, can have assumed such a form or suffered mutilation. On the other hand, the description of the involucral scales, covered, as are the flowers, with glands, and the characters drawn from those organs themselves, will, collectively, accord with no other plants that have ever fallen under my notice. The second described species, L. pinnata, seems hardly to differ from the L. scariosa, except indeed that the notice of the above-mentioned glands is under it omitted; but Cassini further mentions the singular character of the female corolla being "enflée," an anomalous structure, upon which I shall here offer a few remarks.

In all the four species of the genus with which I am acquainted, the style of the flowers of the ray is invested, or sheathed loosely, by a very delicate hyaline tube, marked, in several instances, by distinct slender nerves, always five in number. This tube enlarges around the swollen bulb of the style and is inserted underneath it into the apex of the achænium: at its summit it meets the inflated corolla, and in the form of a membrane or tissue completely continuous with it, they together constitute the four obtuse, inconspicuous, rounded lobes of the corolla. The latter organ, thus viewed, consists of two distinct membranes, united above and perhaps below. On first observing this structure in L. plumosa, whose flowers are not furnished with glands, and whose corolla is, so far as I can detect, entirely nerveless, I was inclined to consider the corolla as reflected upon itself, the reflected portion entirely investing and concealing the real tube: because I was unable to trace any intervening tissue connecting the two parietes or opposite coats, where an apparent complete vacuity exists; and especially because in some allied genera of Cotuleæ, and in other plants not far removed from the present genus, the corolla is reflected, and in a Tasmanian species as much as half-way down its whole length, its lower free margin being obscurely four-lobed; and in Otochlamys, DeC., its base is produced downwards so as to hide a great portion of the achænium. On the other hand, in the three species which are supplied with glands, it is only the outer surface of the exterior coat of the corolla which is furnished with these organs. Were this outer membrane the reflected limb of the corolla, the true situation of the glands would be on its inner surface; but though appendages of the cuticle are not uncommon on the surface of both ligulate and tubular flowers of Compositæ, I am not aware of their ever existing on that surface. The oblique mouth of these corollas and the constantly unequal divisions at its apex, of which one is always the largest, seem to point out the larger tooth as being analogous to the ligula of radiate capitula, especially as one of the four teeth is often suppressed. Lastly, the five nerves, which are most evident in L. lanata on the inner tube, are not visible on the outer; it is very difficult to trace their termination, but they do unite at the summit of the tube, forming as many arches as there are nerves, apparently without reference to the number of teeth of the corolla, in the thickened substance of which they are entirely lost. Amongst the discoid groups of Senecionideæ, there are many anomalous structures of the female corollas. Thus, in Strongylosperma, Less., the limb of that organ is reduced apparently to a very short tube, completely continuous with the achænium; and one of the principal characters of Soliva, R. and Pav., consists "in the want of corolla or" (as Mr. Brown remarks) "perhaps its accretion with the persistent style" (vide Linn. Trans, vol. xii. p. 101). The original species, L. scariosa, Cass., was transmitted alive to England from Cape Horn, and is now cultivated in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, where it blossoms copiously, and as it increases rapidly and has been widely distributed, I hope that the attention of microscopic observers will be directed to the singular structure of its flowers. Though possessed of no beauty, it derives an interest from being one of the most Antarctic flowering plants.

The glands, so conspicuous in this and some of the other species, appear to be conglobate and formed of about four very prominent papillæ, confluent at their margins; in this species and in L. scariosa they are transparent, but in L. lanata, after drying, they turn opake and whitish. I observed that in the fresh state they contained no evident secretion or essential oil, nor can they be connected in any way with the peculiar odour which several of the species possess, as this is inodorous or nearly so, and L. plumosa, which smells strongly, is unprovided with these organs.


4. OZOTHAMNUS.

1. Ozothamnus (Petalolepis) Vauvilliersii, Hombr. et Jacq.; fruticosus, foliis patenti-recurvis oblongo-cuneatis supra canaliculatis glabris subtus ramulisque junioribus adpresse fulvo-tomentosis marginibus revolutis, corymbis terminalibus capitatis polycephalis ramosis, involucris turbinatis subcylindraceis squamis exterioribus araneo-tomentosis intimis radiatis scariosis albidis.—O. Vauvilliersii, Hombron et Jacquinot in Voy. au Pol Sud, &c. Bot. Dicot. Phanerog. pl. 5. sine descript.

Hab. Lord Auckland's Islands; from the sea to an altitude of 300–400 feet, very common. Also found on the high mountain of Tongariro, in the Northern Island of New Zealand, by Mr. Bidwill.

Frutex elegans, 6–8-pedalis. Caulis erectus, validus, 1–2-pedalis, e basi ramosus, cicatricibus dilatatis foliorum lapsorum notatus, cortice tenui griseo tectus; ligno albido tenaci. Rami fasciculati, stricti, erecti, virgati, 3–4 ped. longi, inferne cicatricosi, superne ad foliorum insertionem tuberculati, fusco-flavidi, hic illic pubescentes, cortice lamellato, ramulis subtomentosis. Folia undique inserta, subdecussata, patentia, recurva, brevissime petiolata, 4–6 lin. longa, elongato-cuneata, ad apices rotundata, coriacea, supra canaliculata, glaberrima, nitida, luride viridia, subtus nervo medio valido subcarinata, dense sed appresse fulvo-tomentosa, marginibus revolutis integerrimis. Corymbi terminates, capitati, compositi, pluries ramosi, polycephali, 1–1½ unc. lati, pedunculis pedicellisque brevibus divaricatis tomentosis. Involucrum sub 2–3 lin. longum, 3–4 seriale, squamis extimis brevibus subcoriaceis rubro tinctis, gradatim longioribus marginibus scariosis, intimis radiatis, ungue elongato erecto scarioso marginibus ciliato-serratis, lamina late ovata obtusa subpetaloidea albida margine undulata, omnia dorso plus minusve araneo-tomentosa. Receptaculum angustum, planum, papillosum, sub 10–12-florum. Flores involucro breviores, omnes tubulosi, hermaphroditi, tubo gracili elongato quinquefido, dentibus ovato-oblongis subacutis extus versus apices puberulis ciliatis. Antheræ elongatæ, inclusæ, stramineæ, basi biaristatæ, filamentis supra medium dilatatis. Stylus basi subincrassatus, ramis elongatis linearibus semiteretibus intus canaliculatis, apicibus truncatis penicillatus. Pappus 1-serialis, setis scabris inferne nudis imo basi subconnatis. Achænium obconicum, sulcatum.


5. HELICHRYSUM, DeC.

Subgen. Conodiscus, Hook. fil. (Capitulum homogamum,floribus omnibus hermaphroditis 5-dentatis. Involucri squamæ interiores 2–3-seriales, radiantes. Receptaculum valde conicum, elongatum, nudum, papillosum. Pappus uniserialis, setis scabris basi subconcretis.—Caules herbacei, prostrati, basi radicantes, divaricatim ramosi, ramis ad apices capitula solitaria gerentibus.)—An genus proprium?


1. Helichrysum prostratum, Hook. fil.; caule decumbente ramoso, foliis (omnibus caulinis) obovatis v. obovato-spathulatis obtusis mucronatis supra arachnoideis subtus ramulisque dense et appresse argenteo-lanatis, involucri squamis interioribus radiantibus albidis scariosis lineari-ligulatis ad apices 2–4-dentatis. (Tab. XXI.)

Hab. Lord Auckland's group and Campbell's Island; confined to rocks at the tops of the hills in the former locality; abundant in the more southern islands, trailing over rocks and banks near the sea. Also found on Mount Egmont, in the Northern Island of New Zealand, at an altitude of 4000 feet, by Dr. Dieffenbach.

This is a graceful and very elegant plant, in many places, and especially on the low grounds of Campbell's Island, covering the banks with its silvery foliage and abundance of flowers. It differs from all other species of the genus Helichrysum, DeC, in the prostrate straggling habit, and in the stems, which are scarcely thicker than a sparrow's quill, being leafy throughout their length, irregularly branched, with the branches divaricating, ascending at their apices, and there bearing the solitary capitula; whereas the Australian species particularly are of an erect growth, those of a more herbaceous habit with larger, as it were radical leaves at the base of the stem. It is however the conical and elongated receptacle that removes this species so far from the 212 described in DeCandolle; a character so evident, and of such importance, as almost to induce me to raise the present plant into a new genus. It is further to be remarked, that though the genus is extensively distributed throughout Australia and Tasmania, where it does not inhabit the mountains, in New Zealand it is represented by the present species alone, which is confined to the most elevated mountains of the Northern Island, and only descends to the lower grounds in a much higher southern and more rigorous latitude.

The leaves are rather scattered upon the stems, ¼–⅓ inch long, elliptical-obovate, produced into a short petiole, rather membranous in texture, silvery white from the dense appressed tomentum beneath, above pale green and opake, covered with scattered silky arachnoid hairs, the margins quite entire. The capitula are ½–¾ of an inch across the ray, pure white or faintly tinged with rose-colour, the outer scales shorter, subulate or lanceolate, cobweby with a loose tomentum. Flowers of the disc very small, almost concealed by the copious white or pale straw-coloured pappus. Tube of the corollas 4-cleft, the segments puberulous externally towards the apex. Anthers biaristate at the base.

Plate XXI. Fig. 1, receptacle and scales of the involucre; fig. 2, inner radiating scales from involucre; fig. 3, a flower; fig. 4, seta of the pappus; fig. 5, flower with the pappus removed; fig. 6, anther; fig. 7, styles:—all magnified.



ASTEROIDEÆ, Less.

6. PLEUROPHYLLUM, Hook. fil.

Capitula multiflora, heterogama; floribus radii 1–3-serialibus ligulatis fœmineis, disci hermaphroditis tubulosis 4–5-dentatis. Involucrum depresso-hemisphæricum, sub 3-seriale, squamis imbricatis lineari-lanceolatis disco brevioribus. Receptaculum planum, nudum, alveolatum, dentatum. Flor. Radii. Corollæ tubo terete piloso, ligula brevissima v. elongata 3-dentata v. inæqualiter 2-3-fida v. tripartita, segmentis linearibus obtusis. Stylus teres, gracilis, exsertus, ramis sæpe inæqualibus linearibus elongatis compressis marginibus incrassatis glaberrimis. Pappus rigidus, pallide stramineus, (siccitate fuscus,) 2-3-serialis, multisetus, setis subæquilongis subpaleaceis scabris. Achænium obconico-cylindraceum, compressum, totum setosum, setis erectis appressis, breviter stipitatum, stipite tenui gracili alveolo immerso. Fl. Disci numerosi. Corolla infundibuliformis, tubo terete piloso, limbo 4-5-fido, segmentis elongato-ovatis obtusis revolutis marginibus incrassatis. Antheræ 5, cohærentes, inclusæ, basi obtuse et brevissime appendiculatæ. Pollen echinulatum. Stylus cylindraceus, ramis exsertis linearibus divergentibus, marginibus incrassatis, apicibus latiusculis conicis acutis extus (dorso convexo) marginibusque papillosis. Pappus ut in fl. radii. Achænium obconico-elongatum, subtetragonum, setosum et stipitatum ut in fl. radii.—Herbæ elatæ, pulcherrime argenteo-sericeæ, fere ut in Argyroxyphio, hic illic lanatæ. Folia alterna, basi subvaginantia; radicalia maxima. Flores racemosi, purpurei. Pappus rigidus, copiosus, floribus disci longior.— Nomen; πλενρσν, costa, and φν&lamda;λσν, folium.

§ 1. Radiatum; radii corollis elongatis minute tridentatis. (Pleurophyllum verum.)

1. Pleurophyllum speciosum, Hook. fil.; foliis villoso-lanatis, caule superne præcipue pedunculisque dense albo-tomentosis, capitulis radiatis radiis elongatis, receptaculo convexiusculo marginibus alveolarum crassis carnosis. (Tab. XXII. & XXIII.)

Hab. Lord Auckland's group and Campbell's Island; chiefly found upon wet banks and in marshes near the sea, but also ascending to the tops of the mountains in a stunted form.

Radix fusiformis, crassa, carnosa. Caulis elongatus, 2-3-pedalis, erectus, simplex, teres, v. obscure angulatus inferne crassus, carnosus, solidus, dense albo-tomentosus, tomento e pilis simplicibus inarticulatis inferne demum deciduo. Folia omnia coriacea et subcarnosa, multinervia, nervis parallelis, integerrimis, villosis, subsericeis, et pilis fuscis brevibus rigidis moniliformibus subscabrida: radicalia approximata, ovalia, apice obtusa, patentia, subpedalia, 6-8 uncias lata, fusco-viridia, basi villosissima, margine obtusa subrevoluta, subtus pallidiora; superiora seu caulina gradatim minora; suprema lanceolata obtusa. Racemus terminalis, elongatus, foliosus; folia (seu bracteæ) inferiora flores superantia. Pedunculi crassi, densissime albo-lanati, inferiores interdum compositi 3-4 flores; superiores simplices, patentes, sub-unciam longi. Capitula majuscula, sub 2 unc. lata, speciosa, pulcherrime purpurea, disco intensiore. Involucrum plano hemisphæricum, bi-triseriale; squamis lanceolatis obtusis imbricatis, exterioribus albo-lanatis, interioribus pilosis, 4-6 lin. longis discum subæquantibus. Receptaculum paululum convexum, epaleaceum, alveolatum, alveolarum marginibus (seu parietibus) crassiusculis undulatis. Flores Radii elongati, uniseriales, ligulati, circiter 15; ligula lineari, ½ unc. longa, patente, obscure 3-dentata; tubo brevissimo patentim piloso, pilis mollibus laxis pellucidis articulatis. Stylus cylindraceus bifidus, ramis lineari-oblongis obtusis purpureis planiusculis marginibus incrassatis. Achænium sub 2 lin. longum. Flores Disci circiter 60, intensius purpurei, tubulosi, infundibuliformes; tubo piloso, pilis ut in fl. rad., 5-fido et segmentis recurvis apicibus extus glabris. Antheræ flavæ. Stylus ramis exsertis.

An extremely handsome and showy species with copious large purple flowers, stems 2-3 feet high, and ample radical leaves, resembling those of Plantago major, L., but very much larger, strongly ribbed with prominent stout parallel nerves.

Plates XXII. & XXIII. Fig. 1, receptacle; fig. 2, setæ of the pappus; fig. 3, a flower of the ray; fig. 4, tube and style of do., showing the hairs on the tube of the former; fig. 5, front view, and fig. 6, lateral view of the achænium of a flower of the ray; fig. 7, a flower of the disc; fig. 8, corolla from the same; fig. 9, a stamen from do.; fig. 10, styles from the same:—all magnified. § 2. Discoideum; radii corollis abbreviatis, bifidis trifidis v. tripartitis. (Pachythrix, Hook. fil.)

2. Pleurophyllum criniferum, Hook. fil.; caule toto dense albo-lanato, capitulis globosis, subdiscoideis ligulis brevissimis, receptaculo planiusculo alveolato, alveolarum marginibus submembranaceis dentatis. (Tab. XXIV. & XXV.)

Hab. Lord Auckland's group and Campbell's Island; generally in marshy places from the sea to an elevation of 1000 feet, abundant. McQuarrie's Island. (Herb. Hook.)

Radix crassa, carnosa, subfusiformis, descendens, nigro-fusca, collo fibris crassis elongatis rigidis crispato-tortuosis fuscis sublignosis (reliquiis foliorum) coronata. Caulis elatus, erectus, crassus, simplex, v. rarius inferne parce ramosus, 4-6-pedalis, basi unciam diametro, carnosus. Folia inferiora approximata, multinervia, plicata, subtus præcipue valde sericea, basi longe sericeo-villosa, nervis crassis subtus prominentibus fuscis; marginibus minute spinuloso-serratis: radicalia maxima, concava, ovalia, obtusa, sæpe bipedalia, pedem fere lata, basi attenuata amplexicaulia; superiora sensim minora, angustiora, apice acuminata, basi magis attenuata: suprema fere subulata, in bracteis transeuntia. Capitula in racemum spithameum et ultra disposita, nutantia, majuscula, subglobosa, unciam lata, pedicellata, pedicellis subuncialibus curvatis teretibus rachique dense sericeo-lanatis. Involucri squamæ lanceolatæ v. subulatæ longissime subaristato-acuminatæ, crassæ et coriaceæ, dorso pilosæ, medio uninerves, marginibus scariosis argute ciliato-serratis, apicibus fuscis. Pappus rigidus, subpaleaceus v. nitidus, recens flavidus, siccitate fuscus apicibus opacis. Fl. Radii sub 3-seriales, ligulati, tubo brevi terete curvato piloso pilis patentibus mollibus laxis moniliformibus; ligula late ovata, brevissima, tubo subæquilonga, 4-nervis, 3-dentata, v. inæqualiter 2-3-fida, v. tripartita, segmentis linearibus obtusis, marginibus incrassatis, luride purpurascens.

A very common and striking plant, often covering a great extent of ground, and forming the larger proportion of the food of the hogs which now run wild upon the islands of Lord Auckland's group. It is indeed so abundant in the marshy spots on the latter islands that these animals frequently live entirely amongst it, especially when it grows near the margins of the woods, where they form broad tracks or runs through the patches, grubbing up the roots to a great extent, and by trampling down the soft stems and leaves use them as soft and warm forms to litter in. The leaves are exceedingly handsome, generally two feet long and one or a little more in breadth, from their concavity holding a considerable quantity of the rain-water or melted snow which so frequently falls in those latitudes; in substance they are coriaceous, but not nearly so much so as in the preceding species, and they are more copiously silky. A full-grown leaf is generally traversed by 30-40 parallel strong nerves, very prominent on the under surface and then dark-coloured and nearly glabrous, depressed on the upper with longer silky hairs. The intervening parenchymatous substance is traversed by numerous slender anastomosing veins, beneath densely clothed with a white appressed cottony wool, and above silky with scattered subarachnoid hairs. The hairs and woolly substance which clothe all the stems, leaves and pedicels of the capitula are formed of simple terete transparent matted filaments. I do not find amongst them any of the short rigid beaded setæ which are intermixed with the softer hairs of the P. speciosum. The capitula are 15-20 in number; the lower ones only bracteate with the uppermost leaves, the terminal generally having a smaller elongate subulate nearly glabrous green bract. The intermediate ones are the most densely silky on both sides, often so much so as entirely to hide the nerves; in these, too, the curious but minutely spinuloso-serrate character of the margin is most easily detected; the apices of the serratures are callous and glabrous, almost entirely hid amongst the silky tomentum.

Though this plant is nearly allied to the former species (P. speciosum), and agrees with it in all the most important characters, they materially differ in the more outward points of resemblance. Indeed I only know one genus to which the present plant bears any marked similarity in general habit and appearance, and that is the Argyroxyphium, DeC. (Prodr. vol. v. p. 668 ; Hook. Ic. Plant. vol. i. p. 75). The mode of growth of these two plants is the same, and both are natives of Pacific Islands, abounding in peculiarly inclement localities; the present being an inhabitant of the Antarctic regions, while the Argyroxyphium is found only on the summits of the highest mountains on the Sandwich Islands. Mr. Douglas brought it from the volcano of Mouna Kaah, which reaches an altitude of 18,400 feet, where it was one of the last plants he met with, and he used its dead stems for fuel. In the clothing and substance (as far as can be judged from dry specimens) of the stem, in the disposition of the inflorescence and form of the involucral scales, and in the short ligulæ of the flowers of the ray, these plants entirely accord: and the lower leaves of the latter, though uniform in size and shape with the upper, and having the margins quite entire, are always clothed with a similar but more beautiful and dense silky coat of hairs. On a further examination of the form of the corollas and achænia the analogy ceases. It must not however be overlooked, that the pappus of Pleurophyllum, though composed of setæ (and not of short paleæ), is of a peculiarly harsh and rigid texture, with each seta flattened and scabrid on the opposite margins, quite unlike the soft character that organ assumes in most Compositæ, both showing its affinity to other Asteroideæ, and some approach to the short rigid paleæ of the Sandwich Island plant. Although the Argyroxyphium is placed by DeCandolle in Senecionidæ, its styles appear to me to differ in no important particular from those of the Pleurophyllum and of other large Asteroid genera. In both these, the styles of the flowers of the ray are always longer than those of the disc, with the arms also longer, linear, obtuse and flattened, erect or diverging in most of the tribe, divaricated and inclined to become revolute in Argyroxyphium; they are invariably quite smooth throughout, and surrounded with a thickened darker-coloured border (the stigmatic series), those of the corresponding side of each arm meeting at the base. In the flowers of the disc they are shorter, equally bordered with a thick conspicuous margin, abruptly ceasing at the commencement of a conical, acute, rather broader apex, which is plane and smooth, or most indistinctly glandular, on the inner surface, but with the margins and convex back densely studded with elongated papillæ or glands (the pollen collectors); these papillæ, except under a very high power, appear as hairs: the arms have further a strong opake central nerve in each, meeting and uniting at the base. In Argyroxyphium the conical apices are very short and studded with long papillæ, whence they appear abrupt, and each of the arms is split into two parallel laminæ, between which a knife is easily inserted, when the midrib is seen remaining on the inner of the two lamellæ, and the stigmatic series on the outer. I do not think that in a natural system the two genera now under consideration should be far separated from one another, or from the following genus Celmisia, Cass.

Though generally so very bulky a plant, that an ordinary specimen of the Pl. criniferum weighs many pounds, I have seen it so dwarfish upon the mountains as barely to exceed a span in height, with all the leaves lanceolate, more densely silky, and thus even more nearly resembling Argyroxyphium than it does in its ordinary state. The masses of curly fibres, which may be taken up in handfulls from the summit of the roots of a common-sized plant, form a very remarkable character.

Plates XXIV. & XXV. Fig. 1 , receptacle and portion of involucre with flower of ray and disc in situ; fig. 2, single scale of the involucre; fig. 3, alveolæ of the receptacle; fig. 4, setæ of the pappus; fig. 5, a corolla with the ligula 3-partite; fig. 6, a flower of the ray with the ligula 3-toothed; fig. 7, style from the same; fig. 8, front, and fig. 9, lateral view of the achænium; fig. 10, flower of the disc; fig. 11, corolla of do.; fig. 12, stamen, and fig. 13, style from do.:—all magnified.


7. CELMISIA, Cass.

Capitulum multiflorum, heterogamum; floribus radii 1-serialibus, ligulatis, fœmineis; disci numerosis, tubulosis, hermaphroditis, 5-dentatis. Involucrum campanulatum, v. depresso-hemisphæricum, pluriseriale, squamis elongatis inæqualibus disco paulo longioribus v. subæquilongis. Receptaculum nudum aut alveolatum, epaleaceum, latiusculum, plus minusve convexum. Flor. Radii. Corolla tubo elongato terete glaberrimo v. piloso pilis articulatis; ligula lineari, patente, interdum revoluta, apice subintegra v. 3-dentata, albida, sæpius roseo suffusa. Stylus teres, gracilis, exsertus, ramis linearibus plus minusve elongatis obtusis v. subacutis, marginibus valde incrassatis lævibus glaberrimis. Pappus rigidus, multisetosus, sub-biserialis, rufus, v. pallide stramineus, setis subpaleaceis inæqualibus scabris v. barbellatis. Achænium elongato-obconicum v. oblongo-cylindraceum, basi attenuatum, estipitatum, nudum, pilosum, v. setis appressis hispidum. Flor. Disci. Corolla tubulosa, plus minusve elongata et infundibuliformis, tubo terete glabra v. piloso ut in fl. radii, limbo 5-fido, segmentis patenti-revolutis obtusis, marginibus incrassatis, apicibus extus glabris v. barbatis. Antheræ cohærentes, basi integerrimæ, ecaudatæ, rarius breviter biaristatæ, v. in appendices abbreviatas productæ. Pollen globosum, echinulatum, luteum. Stylus teres, elongatus, ramis brevioribus quam in floribus radii, primum linearibus marginibus incrassatis glaberrimis, deinde sublatioribus in conum brevem v. elongatum intus planum nudum dorso convexo marginibusque papillosis productis, papillis interdum elongatis. Pappus tubo subæquilongus et achænium ut in floribus radii.—Herbæ speciosæ Australasicæ, et insularum Tasmaniæ, Novæ Zelandiæ et Antarcticarum incolæ, albido-lanatæ seu sericeæ, rarius glaberrimæ. Folia pleraque radicalia, lanceolata v. linearia, rarius oblonga. Caules seu Scapi erecti, foliosi, apice capitulum solitarium gerentes.


Subgen. Ionopsis, Hook. fil. (non H.B.K. nec DeCand.) Involucri squamæ lineares obtusæ. Receptaculum convexum, subhemisphæricum. Flores disci intense purpurai.—Herba tota glaberrima, nitens, quasi vernicosa seu polita.

1. Celmisia vernicosa, Hook. fil.; acaulis, subsurculosa, foliis radicalibus numerosissimis stellatim-patentibus linearibus acutis mucronatis coriaceis remote subserratis rigidis glaberrimis vernicosis marginibus revolutis, costa subtus latissima, scapo foliaceo vaginato, capituli disco purpureo, styli florum disci ramis acutis. (Tab. XXVI. & XXVII.)

Hab. Lord Auckland's group; on banks and rocky places near the tops of the hills, alt. 1200 feet, and near the sea on the exposed islets. Campbell's Island; abundant in the immediate neighbourhood of the sea.

Radix subfusiformis, elongata, obliqua, hic illic fibrosa, superne punctis elevatis copiosis cicatricata; collo rigide setoso e reliquiis foliorum emortuorum, et non raro surculoso; surculis (an scapis abortivis?) ramos simulantibus simplicibus 2 uncias ad spithamæum longis fibrosis foliis superioribus majoribus. Folia radicalia, numerosissima, læte viridia, imbricata, plerumque horizontaliter et stellatim patentia, unciam ad 3-4 uncias longa, 1-3 lineas lata, linearia, seu lineari-subulata, coriacea, rigida, mucronato-acuta, integerrima v. remote et obscure serrata, glaberrima, nitida, quasi vernicosa, margine revoluta, basi dilatata membranacea, superne ad costam linea depressa, subtus costa latissima prominente. Scapi radicales, 1-10-13, adscendentes, demum erecti, spithamæi fere ad pedalem, foliosi, foliis (v. bracteis foliaceis) approximatis lineari-lanceolatis acutis basi vaginantibus subsucculentis apicibus rigidis vernicosis. Capitulum solitarium, erectum, majusculum, unciam ad sesqui-unciam latum, radiatum, roseo-album, disco intense purpureo. Involucrum plano-hemisphæricum, e squamis s. foliolis biserialibus linearibus obtusiusculis coriaceo-membranaceis rigidis nitidis linea dorsali notatis, marginibus subciliatis viridibus apice purpureis, 4—5 lineas longis. Flores radii sub-20, fœminei; ligula lineari- oblonga, 4-nervis, revoluta, apice obscure 2-3-dentata, tubo brevi hirsuto, pilis articulatis. Styli rami lineares, breviusculi, obtusi, albidi, eglandulosi. Achænium (vix maturum) obconicum, sericeo-setosum. Pappus e setis rigidis subpaleaceis pilosis uniserialibus. Flores disci numerosi, compacti, hermaphroditi. Achænium et pappus ut in floribus radii. Corolla tubulosa, infundibuliformis, superne ventricosa, teres, 5-fida, segmentis apice reflexis, tubo hirto, pilis ut in floribus radii. Antheræ 5, in tubum connatæ, lineari-oblongæ flavæ, basi breviter bisetosæ, inclusæ. Styli rami exserti, breviusculi, purpurei, dilatati, compressi, plano convexi, acuti, ad apicem dorso marginibusque glanduloso-stigmatosi, intus nudi. Receptaculum parvum, nudum, convexum, depresso-punctatum, epaleaceum.

This is a very handsome plant, to which even the beautiful drawing now prepared for publication hardly does justice, one of the specimens gathered on Campbell's Island measuring nearly a span across the leaves, from whose bases arose no fewer than thirteen flowering scapes, ten of them with the blossoms fully expanded. The delicacy of the rays, tipped with a faint rose-colour, forms a striking contrast with the dark purple eye and the glossy varnished deep green foliage. Like many other Antarctic plants, it varies considerably in size, some of our specimens being scarcely an inch and a half across the leaves, which lie densely compacted and all horizontally patent, radiating from the summit of the root like the spokes of a wheel, of a very coriaceous texture, singularly smooth and shining like the surface of a shell, or as if covered with a thick coat of copal varnish: their apices in the smaller specimens are incrassated or the leaves are clubbed at the apex, from the union of the thick costa with the equally incrassated margins. This thickening extends to the bracteæ or leaves on the scapes and even to the scales of the involucre; when dry they are of a rich but pale yellow-brown colour.


The genus Celmisia, as modified above, will contain several species very closely allied in habit, and all bearing a much greater similarity to the original Australian C. longifolia, A. C., than the C. vernicosa does. Upon the closest examination, I can detect no characters of sufficient importance to warrant any further subdivision of the following species, which I shall therefore include under the name of Eucelmisia, considering them as typical of the genus, near to which the above-described species should assuredly rank.

I shall here, in a note, subjoin the characters of the other species, and proceed with some remarks upon them[1]

C. longifolia (1.). This is the original species, whereon the genus was founded by Cassini; the specimens having been brought home by Gaudichaud from the voyage of Admiral Freycinet, and described in 'Dict. Sc. Nat.' vol. xxxvii. p. 259. DeCandolle considers Cunningham's Blue Mountain species (Arctotis gnaphalodes, Cunn. MS. in Herb. Hook.) as identical with this. Our specimens differ from [[Author:Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupré|Gaudichaud]'s figure only by having the leaves much narrower, with their margins revolute and the scapes far less leafy upwards. The achænia are constantly glabrous, the pappus pale reddish, and the papillose part of the arms of the style is as long as the linear and glabrous portion. Of the C. spathulata (2.), A. C. MSS., we have no specimens; in its glabrous foliage it differs from all but C. vernicosa. A third species is founded on a Tasmanian plant not rare on the summit of Mount Wellington, where it forms large matted patches. The first specimens I had seen were gathered there by Mr. Frazer, and more latterly by myself and Mr. Gunn, who detected it in other mountainous parts of the colony. I have called it C. asteliæfolia (3.), from the great similarity it bears in foliage, general aspect and habitat to Astelia alpina, Br. The leaves are extremely variable in breadth and in the degree of recurving in their margins; they are often very like those of C. longifolia, but never exceed a span in length. The scapes too are longer, less leafy, and the flowers larger than in that species; the hairy achænia also afford a constant character. The flowers of the ray are pink, the pappus yellow. The above three species are Australian. Those found in New Zealand are C. gracilenta (4.), a plant so very near, even in the variable form of its leaves, to C. longifolia, that it was not till I had examined the styles that I could detect any difference; the conical papillose portion of these being much produced, gradually acuminated, and three times the length of the lower part of the arms, with the papillæ almost filiform. From C. asteliæfolia it differs in having a glabrous achænium, which is much longer than in any of the former species. Nearly allied to this is the C. graminifolia (5.), mainly distinguished from the former by its foliage. Decidedly the finest species are the three following, two of them originally discovered and described by Forster; the first is C. spectabilis (6.), of which I possess a specimen from Mr. Bidwill. Though hardly exceeding a span in length, including the scape, the base of the stem, while covered with the sheathing leaves, is fully an inch in diameter, and densely clothed with long, beautifully silky wool. The leaves are broad and remarkably coriaceous, their upper surface, in the dried state, minutely striated with anastomosing lines, and the under densely clothed with buff-coloured appressed tomentum. The scape is stout, loosely covered with shaggy white wool, and producing a large, solitary, apparently white flower, an inch and a half broad. The achænia are elongated, all of them glabrous; the tubes of the corolla, especially of the ray, have long, straight, pellucid, scattered, distantly jointed, and very slender hairs. Pappus yellow, rigid; the outer setæ, as in the other species of the genus, short, the rest gradually lengthening. Ligules of the flowers of the ray linear, abruptly truncated, with three large teeth and four nerves. Anthers shortly biaristate at the base; styles with the arms rather elongated, the conical papillose portion of those of the disc short and rather obtuse. Forster's first species, C. holosericea (Aster, Forst.), has been found, I believe, by that botanist alone: his specimens exist in the British Museum, accompanied by his fine drawing of

both the present and the last species. Richard (Flora Novæ Zelandiæ, p. 249) described it from other and less perfect individuals, aided by Forster's MS. in the Museum of the Jardin des Plantes at Paris. He however does not notice its affinity to Celmisia, and considers the C. coriacea as probably a variety of it, though Forster's figures essentially differ in general appearance, and other characters are found in the parts of the inflorescence of no less importance, the achæmia described by Richard being "silky and stipitate" (attenuated?) at the base. Mr. Cunningham, in his 'Prodr. Flor. Nov. Zeland.,' first noticed the probable relation existing between these last two species and Celmisia (Cass.). The scales of the involucre in all the New Zealand species, except C. vernicosa, are narrow and almost subulate, becoming recurved and finally squarrose in the older capitula; this is, however, a variable character.

I may here mention another little-known New Zealand plant, originally discovered by Forster, and called by him Arnica oporina (Forst. Prodr. n. 299); it is nearly allied both to these and the former genus Pleuro-phyllum. I have carefully examined specimens from Dusky Bay, gathered by Mr. Menzies, and others from Chatham Island, received from Dr. Dieffenbach. The achænia are ribbed and hairy, the pappus rigid, rather scanty, pale-coloured, scabrous, and of very unequal setæ. The tubes of the corollas in the ray are glabrons, in those of the disc slightly hairy. In both flowers the arms of the style precisely resemble those of Celmisia and are very long, those of the disc with short papillose extremities. A comparison of this plant with the genus Chiliotrichum of Cassini, (published in DeCandolle's Prodromus, vol. vi. p. 216, and Hooker's Icones Plantarum, vol. v. t. 485) does not enable me to detect any generic distinction: the arms of the style in the flowers of the ray are indeed rather longer in the latter and slightly attenuated upwards, and the achænia are glandular and not hairy. Both approach very closely the genus Eurybia, Cass., or Olearia, Mœnch.

Plate XXVI. & XXVII. Fig. 1, involucre cut open, showing the hemispherical receptacle with a flower of the disc and of the ray; fig. 2, a flower of the ray; fig. 3, setæ of the pappus; fig. 4, tube of the ligulate flower; fig. 5, style from do.; fig. 6, flower of the disc; fig. 7, corolla from do.; fig. 8, anther from the same; fig. 9, styles from the same:—all magnified.



Dubii generis.

Amongst the plants collected in Lord Auckland's group, are two apparently belonging to the natural order Compositæ, but which, in the absence of flower or fruit, I am unable to place under any genus. One of these may belong to Gnaphalium, but is quite different from any New Zealand or other species which has come under my notice. The only specimen of it which I possess was gathered by Mr. Lyall, and consists of apparently a few radical leaves, or probably of a young plant whose stems are not yet produced upwards.

1. Gnaphalium ? radice lignoso, caule breviusculo 2-3 unc.longo adscendente e basi ramoso folioso, foliis confertis patulis obovato-lanceolatis subspathulatis obtusis integerrimis planis medio obscure uninerviis utrinque lana laxa molli albida vestitis ¾–1 unc. longis 4–5 lin. latis.

Hab. Lord Auckland's group; on the sea-beach, D. Lyall, Esq.

The woolly substance which entirely clothes the leaves and stem of this plant is formed of simple, terete, transparent, matted filaments, similar to that of Gnaphalium luteo-album, L., to some states of which this bears a good deal of resemblance. It may with equal probability be referred to a species of Heliehrysnm, and except that the apices of the leaves are not apiculate or mucronate, it has much the appearance of young plants of H. apiculatum, Lab.

The other plant, if I am right in referring it, as I do with little hesitation, to Compositæ, forms one of the most handsome shrubs or low trees belonging to that natural order. It was also detected by Mr. Lyall, from whose specimens I shall here give a short description:—

Subarborea, ramis ultimis lignosis teretibus striatis v. canaliculars vaiidis, ½ unc. diametro. cortice tenaci e fibris crassis parallelis tomento denso albido adpresso vestito, foliis alternis petiolatis amplis 8 pollicares ad pedalem longis late elliptico-ovatis acutis v. acuminatis crenato-dentatis valde coriaceis supra (costa basi excepta) glaberrimis læte viridibus nervis reticulatis subtus tomento appresso dense lanatis, venis prominulis, junioribus ad apices ramulorum convolutis lanatis basique dense argenteo-sericeis pilis longioribus, petiolo valido ½ unc. longo basi dilatato semiamplexicauli tomentoso ½ unc. longo.—Cætera ignota.

Hab. Lord Auckland's group; Ewing Island, a small islet at the mouth of Rendezvous Harbour, D. Lyall, Esq.

Of this plant Mr. Lyall remarks, "A short stout trunk rises a few inches above the ground, and then sends off horizontally patent branches, which radiate as from a common centre for 10 or 12 feet on all sides, a little above the surface of the earth. The leafy apices then ascend. The leaves are of a dark green colour, which they lose in drying." A piece of the wood which accompanied the specimen is about 1½ inch in diameter; the bark of a light grey colour, rather thin and soft, deeply grooved on the surface, the grooves corresponding to sinuous, anastomosing, longitudinal ridges, enclosing elongated, somewhat lozenge-shaped spaces; the wood is whitish or pale yellow, hard, tough and close-grained, the layers indistinct, and the medullary rays numerous and very slender; it resembles the stem of some shrubby species of Ozothamnus. This fine plant is most remarkable for the size and thick coriaceous texture of the leaves, which are in many respects similar to those of the genus Brachyglottis, Forst. I have seen nothing like it in the collections of Banks and Solander, Forster or Menzies. It is a rare plant in the islands now under consideration, and will probably be found to be a native of the southern extremity of New Zealand.


  1. Synopsis of the species of Celmisia known to the Author.

    CELMISIA, Cass.

    § I. Eucelmisia.

    1 . Species Australasicæ.

    1. C. longifolia, Cass.; foliis linearibus utrinque argenteo-lanatis scapo lanuginoso subæquilongis, pappo rufo, achæniis glaberrimis, stylorum apicibus breviusculis obtusis.

    α. foliis explanatis, scapo folioso.—Hab. Jamieson's Valley, Port Jackson; Gaudichaud.

    β. foliorum marginibus revolutis, scapo nudiusculo.—Hab. Blue Mountains; Cunningham.

    2. C. spathulata, A. C.; "foliis elliptico-oblongis in petiolum longe attenuatis utrinque glabris."—DeC.

    Hab. Oyster Harbour, King George's Sound; A. Cunningham.

    3. C. asteliæfolia, MSS.; foliis elliptico- v. lineari-lanceolatis, supra argenteo-lanatis subtus dense sericeo-tomentosis marginibus revolutis, scapis folio subduplo longioribus parce foliosis, achæniis pilosis, antheris basi breviter biaristatis, stylorum apicibus ut in C longifolia.

    Hab. Mount Wellington and other lofty mountains of Tasmania; Frazer and Gunn.

    2. Species Novæ Zelandiæ.

    4. C. gracilenta, Hook. fil. Aster gracilentus, Banks and Sol. MSS.; foliis scapisque ut in C. asteliæfolia, achæniis glaberrimis, styli ramis longe productis gradatim acuminatis, papillis filiformibus elongatis.

    Hab. New Zealand, Northern Island; Banks and Solander. Great Barrière Island on the East coast; Dr. Sinclair. Lofty mountains of Waikato Lake; Colenso, Bidwill. Mount Egmont; Dr. Dieffenbach.

    5. C. graminifolia, Hook. fil.; foliis lanceolatis v. lineari-lanceolatis subflaccidis, supra glaberrimis, subtus appresse argenteo-lanatis, acuminatis, scapis 2–3 foliis brevioribus, stylis ut in C. gracilenta.

    Hab. Bay of Islands, New Zealand.

    6. C. spectabilis. Hook. fil.; foliis oblongo-lanceolatis integerrimis valde coriaceis basi vaginantibus longissime sericeo-lanatis supra glabris subtus tomento fulvo appresso densissime obtectis, achæniis glaberrimis, tubo corollæ piloso, antheris breviter biaristatis.

    Hab. Northern Island; Tongariro; Mr. Bidwill.

    7. C. holosericea, Hook. fil. (Aster holosericeus, Forst. Prodr. n. 296); "herbaceus, foliis oblongo-lanceolatis serratis, subtus argenteo-sericeis, scapis unifloris foliosis."—Forst. l. c.

    Hab. Dusky Bay; G. Forster.

    8. C. coriacea, Hook. fil. (Aster coriaceus, Forst. Prodr. n. 297); foliis oblongo-lanceolatis valde coriaceis supra medio sulcatis glabris subtus villosis, achæniis pilosis, pappo rufo.

    Hab. Dusky Bay; G. Forster.