226 ME. J. BALL ON THE FLORA OF NOBTH PATAGONIA 



Prod.), wbich is said to grow iu the higher region of the Chilian 

 Andes ; but from the description it appears to be so similar to 

 the Patagonian plant, that tbe latter sbould, perbaps, be referred 

 to it as a variety. 



Sonchus asper, Fl. Ban. Naturalized, and now widely spread 

 (No. 49, G. C). This and the nearly allied S. oleraceus are 

 widely spread throughout tropical and temperate Soutb America, 

 and their diffusion has probably been to a great extent inde- 

 pendent of tbe agency of man. 



Hypocikeris — — ? Common throughout the province of 

 Buenos Ayres (No. 194, G. C). The specimen is in bad con- 

 dition, and too imperfect for recognition. 



Plumbagineje. 



Statice brasiliensis, Boiss. Salt-marshes of Tuyu, and in 

 North Patagonia (No. 102, G-. C). The Patagonians call this 

 Gudicuru, and make a deep-red decoction from the roots, used in 

 popular medicine to purify the blood. 



Pbimulace.e. 



Asterolinon beeptllifolitjm, = Lysiuiachia serpyllifolia, 

 Poir., =Pelletiera verna, A. St. -Hit Bahia Blanca (No. 69, 

 G. C). I do not feel sure that Pelletiera serpyllifolia, Webb, 

 Phyt. Can., is the same as the South- American plant. 



Apocynace-e. 



Menodora ? From the base of the Sierra de la Ventana 



near Bahia Blanca (No. 218, G. C). Of this I have a mere frag- 

 ment without leaves ; but it does not agree well with any of the 

 described species. Prom M. decemjida, to which it approaches, 

 it differs by a larger corolla and tbe form of the calyx. 



ASCLEPIADEJE. 



Brachtlepis Candolleahtts, Rook. Sf Am. N. Patagonia, 

 flowering late in autumn (April, May). Also found on tbe Sierra 

 de la Ventana and in Entrerios (No. 213, G. C). 



*Philibertia solanoides, R. B. -£"., = Sarcostemma incanum, 

 Bene. At Tuyu, near Cabo S. Antonio ; also seen in Entrerios 

 (No. 227, G. C). This climbs up the stems of Graniinea: and 

 other Bmall plants. 



