6 



libus, subglumaceis, fuscis, extus sericeis. Stamina minuta, abor- 

 tiva, laciniis opposita. Germen^ vel Bacca^ vix matura^ oblongaj 

 glabra, stigmatibus tribus obtusis sessilibus lerminata, unilocularis, 

 trivalvis ? Receptacula tria, filiformia, parietalia. Stamina imma- 

 tura plurima^ pedicellata. 



The specimens from which I have been able to make the ac- 

 coinpanying drawing and description of this plant, were com- 

 mnnicated to me^ along with very many other rare Australasian 

 plants^ from the summit of Mount Wellington in Van Die- 

 man's Isle, where it grows at an elevation of 4000 feet above 

 the level of the sea^ forming densely matted patches* No 

 figure can give an idea of its beauty^ clothed as it is with white 

 extremely dense silky hairs in almost every part^ more espe- 

 cially on the sheathing bases of the leaves. The general aspect 

 of the Astelia is not otherwise very dissimilar to our Luzula 

 maxima^ and Mr. Brown regards the genus as intermediate 

 between the Asphodelem and Junc€(E. At the same time that 

 illustrious botanist observes that it approaches to the TiU 

 landstcBy and like them is sometimes parasitic upon the trunks 

 of trees. Mr. Brown mentions at least one other species^ as 

 existing in New Zealand ; and a thirds Sir James E. Smith 

 has described from the collection of Mr. Menzies^ made in 



» . 



t3 



the Sandwich Islands^ (A. Menziesiana ^ Sm.)/ which differs 

 essentially from the present individual in having a trilocukr 

 berry^ and may, on that account, prove to be distinct as to 

 genus ; but in habit the two plants are almost exactly the 

 same ; and as I am in possession of beautiful specimens, 

 iven to me by ]Mr. Menzies, I shall take the opportunity of 

 figuring the A. Mmziesiana in this work. The Melanthium 

 pumilum of Forster is also considered to belong to the pre- 



L 



sent genus. 



r 



Tig, 1. Perianth, with one segment cut away, and tlie germen removed 



from a female flower, to show the abortive stamens. Fig. 2. Ger- 

 man. Tig. 3. Inner view of a portion of the same^ to show the 

 parietal receptacle and the owA^^y—magniJied^ 



