202 Transactions. 



level to the subalpine belt and from tlie coast-line to tlie interior. It pro- 

 bably occurs in tlie North Island also, but I have no exact information as to 

 its distribution. Its distinguishing characters, subject, however, to consider- 

 able individual differences, are : The bright-green but frequently tinged 

 yellowish, willow-like, lanceolate, ihin leaves, which towards the apex are 

 narrowed and taper to a fine point ; the long slender tapering racemes 

 with peduncles much longer than those of the var. Atkinsonii ; the lilac- 

 tinged flowers with comparatively long slender pedicels, acute calyx- 

 segments which are wide apart and expose the ovary, and corolla rather 

 larger in all its parts than that of the var. Atkinsonii, and with ovate sub- 

 acute segments. 



The form of the West Coast Sounds, if it be a distinct form, has muck 

 broader leaves than that of the drier parts of the South Island. 



(c.) Veronica salicifolia Forst. f. var. paludosa Cockayne var. no v. 



Folia lineari-lanceolata, longe paulatimque apiculata, circ. 6-5-11 cm. 

 longa, 6mm. to 1-2 cm. lata; racemi cum peduucuUs -^ 15 cm. longi; 

 rhachis, pedicelli, et bracteoli dense pubescentes ; calycis-lobi acuti vel sub- 

 apiculati. 



South Island : Westland — In lowland swamps. 



I have been in the habit of referring this plant to F. gracillima Cheesem., 

 but a type specimen of the latter in T. Kirk's herbarium shows the former 

 to be quite distinct. Its quite narrow leaves with long-drawn-out acuminate 

 apex separate it at a glance from the var. communis. Probably there are 

 other good distinctions, but my material is too far advanced for an 

 examination of the flower. In general appearance var. paludosa greatly 

 resembles the common veronica of the subalpine scrub of Mount Egmont, 

 but this latter, which I propose before long to describe as var. egmontiana', 

 has a different capsule, which brings it somewhat near to F. macrocarpa. 



1-1, X Veronica Simmonsii Cockayne nov. typ. hyb. (F. salicifolia 

 Forst. f. var. Atkinsonii Cockayne x F. angustifoUa A. Kich. var.). 



Frutex densus, erectus, multiramosus, circ. 1-8 m. altus. Folia lineari- 

 lanceolata, subpetiolata, utrinque glabra nisi petiolo minutissima pubes- 

 centia, circ. 6-4 cm. longa, 8 mm. lata, margine integerrima, apice acuta, 

 costa infra pauUo carinata. Racemi 2^, in axiUis foliorum superiorum 

 dispositi, circ. 7 cm. longi, 1-8 cm. diametro, rhachibus pedicellisque pubes- 

 centibus ; pedicelli 2 mm. longi ; bracteoli lineares, pubescentes, 1 mm. 

 longi. Flores 4-5 mm. diametro, albi. Calyx parvus 2 mm. longus, pro- 

 funde 4-partitus lobis oblongis obtusis ciliatis. CoroUae-tubi angtiste 

 infundibuliformes, 3 mm. longi ; lobi late oblongi, obtusi. 



South Island : Marlborough — French Pass and Pelorus Valley ; L. C. 



It seems to me far safer to treat this plant as a hybrid than as a new 

 species or a variety of F. angnstifolia, since it was found only when in 

 company with the latter and F. salicifolia var. Atkinsonii, but when these 

 are growing separately X V. Simmonsii is absent, as I have had frequent 

 opportunity to observe. The plant is named after Mr. G. T. Simmons, 

 ssistant lighthouse -keeper, French Pass. 



The hybrid is distinguished at once from F. angustifoUa by its much 

 broader and longer leaves and dense-flowered racemes, while from F. salici- 

 folia var. Atkinsonii it is readily separated by its much narrower leaves 

 and more slender shorter racemes. 



