L. Cockayne.— Notes on New Zealand Floristic Botany, 185 



given. Another class of species, the distribution of which requires defining 

 with much more detail, includes those mentioned in the Manual as " often 

 local," " probably not uncommon but easily overlooked," and similar 

 statements. 



The distribution of varieties needs far greater attention than is usually 

 accorded them. The variety and not the aggregate species being the real 

 entity, until varietal distribution is put on a sounder footing any truly 

 scientific discussion of the distribution in general of the New Zealand flora 

 will not be possible. What are really wanted from the evolutionary and 

 historical standpoints are accurate records both of the distribution of the 

 aggregate species and of the microspecies which compose them ; but before 

 such a study is possible many so-called " valid species " must be joined 

 together as aggregates, while many more varieties of the present aggregates 

 must be constituted. 



The crying need of New Zealand floristic botany on the phyto- 

 geographical side is undoubtedly a much more intensive study of distri- 

 bution. Full lists of species, &c, for unbotanized localities are demanded. 

 The critical points, where two botanical districts join one another, require 

 a most intensive study. These boundaries at present are nearly all highly 

 problematical, even in areas apparently well known. The botanical hunt 

 should not be merely for l ' something new " : the presence or absence 

 of the commonest species is generally a matter of far greater importance 

 than the finding of a rarity. 



1. Acaena saccaticupula Bitter. 



South Island : North-eastern Botanical District — (1.) Eastern part of 

 Hurunui River basin : A. Wall ! (2.) Trelissick Basin. Canterbury, at 

 about 900 m. altitude : A. Wall ! 



This species is. Acaena adscendens, in part, of the Manual. It is appa- 

 rently common on the eastern side of the Southern Alps generally, but is 

 not usually found in great abundance in any station. It appears to occur 

 chiefly in wettish ground. Exact information as to its ecological require- 

 ments, distribution, and polymorphy is wanted. 



2. Acaena Sanguisorbae Vahl. var. viridior Cockayne. 



South Island: (1.) Sounds Subdistrict of Ruahine - Cook Botanical 

 District — Near the Nelson City waterworks: L. C. (2.) North-eastern 

 Botanical District — In the Kaikoura neighbourhood : A. Wall ! 



Most likely this well-marked variety is of w T ide distribution, but so far 

 it has not been recorded to the north of the neighbourhood of the city of 

 Wellington or to the south of Banks Peninsula. 



3. Angelica geniculata (Forst. f.) Hook. f. 



South Island : Eastern Botanical District — (1.) On rock, Malvern Hills: 

 A. Wall ! (2.) On limestone rock at junction of the River Porter and the 

 Broken River, Trelissick Basin : A. Wall ! 



This species has now been reported far inland in various parts of New 

 Zealand, and can no longer rank as a special coastal plant. 



4. Apium prostratum Labill. var. 



South Island : Eastern Botanical " District — By side of stream on 

 wet bank near Scargill, Canterbury, at about seven miles from the sea. 

 A. Wall and L. C. 



