T. KuiK.— Oil' Mitrasacnie montana. 445 



ing the plant in a pot. Though hi form this beautiful plant 

 bears a general likeness to C. verbascifolia, it differs strikingly 

 in general appearance and in seveial important characters. 

 As it is here described from a single specimen grown under 

 difficulties, some points may not be found persistent, especially 

 the general olive-green colour, which has modified under culti- 

 vation. The height of the scape may differ from that of a 

 naturally-grown specimen. 



Art. LIV. — On the Occurrence of a Variety of Mitrasacme 

 montana, Hook, f., in New Zealand. 



By T. KiKK, F.L.S. 



[Read bcfurc the Wellington I'liilosojiliical Socictii, ^--tt^ June, 1889.] 



Plate XXXII. 



The herbaceous genus Mitrasacme comprises about thirty 

 species, twenty-seven of which are found in Australia, two or 

 three in tropical Asia, and a single endemic species dis- 

 covered by Mr. J. Buchanan, F.L.S. , on the mountains above 

 Dusky Bay. The discovery of a strongly-marked variety of 

 an Australian species in New Zealand is therefore of con- 

 siderable interest. Some time back I received specimens froju 

 Mr. E. Helms, late of Greymouth, which at first sight bore a 

 close resemblance to Mitrasacme montana, Hook, f., but pre- 

 sented sufficient points of difference to render them worthy of 

 varietal rank. I propose to distinguish this form as var. 

 helmsii. The stems are more imbricating, matted, and more 

 depressed than in the type. It may be characterized as 

 under : — 



Mitrasaone montana, Hook, f., var. Iielnisii. 



A small herbaceous perennial, forming depressed matted 

 patches. Stems slender, l^in.-2in. high ; leaves opj)osite,. 

 obovate, glabrous, narrowed into very short flattened petioles, 

 or sessile. Flowers invariably terminal, nearly sessile ; calyx 

 4-partite, segments linear, shorter than the corolla, acute or 

 obtuse, persistent in fruit ; corolla tubular, slightly contracted 

 at the mouth, lobes short, acute ; ovary rounded, styles erect, 

 connivent, slender. Capsule small, nearly or quite sessile, 

 mouth compressed, the outer angles produced into lateral 

 curved filiform processes. 



Hah. South Island — Paparoa Eanges, Westland ; 3,000ft- 

 B. Helms. 



