342 Rev. J. S. Henslow on the Native Plants 



There are two specimens of this, each about a foot long, 

 with the terminal spike on one of them six inches, on the 

 other not two. Largest leaves three inches. It is difficult to 

 decide whether this ought to be considered a new species or 

 only a variety of argentea. 



Decaisne considers argentea and aspera to be identical. The 

 very variable character of the herbage prevents our laying any 

 great stress upon the shape of the leaf, length of the spike, or 

 degree of pubescence. In these respects our plant comes 

 within the character of argentea given by Decaisne in the 

 c Flora Timorensis.' 



On comparing the several parts of the flower with those of 

 another specimen of argentea, brought by Mr. Darwin from 

 the Cape-de-Verd Islands, I find several remarkable differ- 

 ences, which I may here describe. 



Comparison of the parts of the flower in specimens of Achyranthes argentea 

 from the Reelings and Cape-de-Verd. Plate XI. where K. means Keel- 

 ing, and V. Cape-dc-Verd Islands. 



Keeling. Cape-de-Verd. 



Fig. 7. Bract. Auricles at base, about About one third the length, 

 half the length of the bract. 



8. Sepal. 



9. Stamens and pistil. 



10. Stamen, with part of connect- 



ing membrane. 

 Anther. Elliptic-oblong, equal Subrotund and much shorter. 



to free portion of filament. 

 Fringed lobes (from abortive Incisions numerous and very irre- 



stamens?) with few and re- gular. 



gular incisions. 



11. Pistil. Ovary ob-ovato-glo- Ob-ovato-cylindrical, with the style 



bose, depressed, with the half as long, 

 style three times as long. 

 The position and form of the ovule is also marked on the figures. 



9. Boerhavia diffusa, — After an attentive examination of 

 Mr. Darwin's specimens, I cannot detect sufficient differences 

 to class them under more than one species, though he had 

 himself concluded, from certain peculiarities in their habit 

 whilst growing, that they must belong to three. These three 

 forms, which I consider to be varieties of the diffusa of De- 

 caisne's Herb. Timor., have each long, weak, straggling, terete 

 branches, clothed with close scattered pubescence, except on 

 the older parts, which are glabrous. The leaves are stalked 



