402 MS. F. TOWNSEND ON AN ERYTHEMA 



refinding his E. capitata, though they have frequently sought for 

 it; it appears, therefore, that it is extinct. With the exception 

 of this and the Freshwater plant and two specimens of a similar 

 one from the neighbourhood of Newhaven in Sussex, I know 

 of no instance of an Eryihrcca with similar characters. That these 

 characters mark a distinct species I feel perfectly satisfied ; and 

 the description given in this paper will, I think, satisfy other 

 botanists that I am correct in my conclusions. In accordance 

 with the generally received rules of nomenclature, it would seem 

 that the English plant must receive the specific name " capitata ;" 

 for I believe both it and the G-erman plant agree sufficiently to 

 constitute them two varieties of one and the same species. Which 

 is the type ? The Berlin plant has been only once found, and 

 has not been refound for more than half a century, and is pro- 

 bably extinct. The English plant has been found in two dis- 

 tinct localities ; and in one of these at least it exists in abundance 

 at the present time : it is also probable that it has a still more 

 extended range. Unfortunately the name " capitata " has been 

 variously applied, and by existing botanists is now invariably 

 given to a variety of another species. To give the simple name 

 "capitata" to the Isle of Wight plant would therefore, in all 

 probability, either consign it to oblivion, or to the liability of its 

 being confounded with the variety of E. Centaurinm. I have 

 therefore given varietal names to both forms. 



It remains now to give the specific character and description, and, 

 finally, to point out how the species differs from its neighbours. 



Erythema capitata, Willd.— Caule (J-3 poll.) plerumque 

 simplici et solitario erecto subangulato, foliis rosulatis ovatis 

 ovato-oblongis obovatisve spathulatis obtusis 3-5-nervatis, foliis 

 caulinis paucis connatis angustioribus, floribus subfasciculatis 

 in capitulo dense congestis sessilibus numerosis cum bracteis 

 obtusis intermixes, bracteis exterioribus flores asquantibus vel 

 superantibus, calyce corollas tubo aaquali, filamentis in imo tubi 

 corolla; insertis, stylo obliquo, quadrante parte ovarii sub anthesi 

 exserto, capsula calycem excedente. (T) vel (£)*. 

 In pascuis apricis. "^ 



Cauhs sa>pe in superiore parte ramum nudiusculum unum alter- 

 umve capitulo terminatum emittet. 



The only other notice I can find of any species of Erythrcea beiug biennial 

 is that given by Brotero in a long description of his Erythrcea chloodes, where 

 he gays, " radice annua, aut non rare biennis " {Brot. Fl. Lus. i. p. 277). 



