32 Abstracts. 



ABSTRACTS. 



1. Die Gattung Townsonia Cheesem. Bv R. Schlechter. (Abstract from 

 Fedde, Repertorium ix, pp. 249-250 : 1911). 



The genus Townsonia was originally published by T. F. Cheeseinan in 1906 in the 

 "Manual of the New Zealand Flora" (p. 691), and was placed in the vicinity of 

 Adenochilus Hook. f. When Dr. Schlechter undertook a new arrangement of the Poly- 

 chondreae (equivalent to the Neottieae of other authors) he was unable, through the 

 absence of specimens, to decide on the exact relationships of the genus. Having received 

 a copious suite from its describer, he has now been able to study it in detail. He has 

 arrived at the conclusion that it is best placed between Acianthus R. Br., which is found 

 in Australia and New Caledonia as well as in New Zealand, and Stigmatodactylus Maxim., 

 which has three species in Japan, India, and Java respectively. At the same time, 

 there is an undoubtedly strong resemblance to the subfamily Caladeniinae in the broadly 

 winged column, a character which is not found in Acianthus and allied genera. On the 

 other hand, the smooth labellum, devoid of any projections or protuberances beyond 

 two obscure ridges at the base, and the habit of the plant, point towards the 

 Acianthineae. A remarkable character, which is not shown by any Acianthus, is that 

 the flowering-stems often produce offshoots which bear solitary radical leaves. The 

 petals are much reduced in size, but this peculiarity is approached by some of the New 

 Caledonian species of Acianthus, although not carried to the same extent. The elongated 

 finger dike rostellum much resembles that of Stigmatodactylus. 



As soon as specimens of Townsonia were examined, it was noticed that it was closely 

 allied to Acianthus viridis Hook. f. from Tasmania. This led to a careful examination 

 of the Tasmanian plant, which resulted in proving that it also was a genuine Townsonia, 

 closely allied to but clearly distinct from the original T. defiexa. Townsonia will there- 

 fore rank as a typical austral-antarctic genus, with one species — T. defiexa Cheesem. — 

 confined to the South Island of New Zealand, the other— T. viridis (Hook, f.) Schlechter 

 — endemic in Tasmania. 



T. F. C. 



2. Some Constants of Mutton-bird Oil and Fat. By L. Hewgill Smith. 

 (Journ. Soc. Chem. Industry No. 7. vol. 30, p. 405 : 15th April, 1911.) 



The mutton-bird {Oestrelata lessoni), a petrel peculiar to the Antarctic, when dis- 

 turbed ejects from its nostrils an oil with considerable force. This oil— the first bird- 

 oil to be put on the market — in colour varies from bright ruby red to straw, with not 

 unpleasant fishy smell. On treatment with sulphuric acid the ruby colour is destroyed 

 and straw oil results. At 0° C. the oil solidified to a translucent mass. One specimen 

 contained 2-23 per cent, free fatty acids (as oleic acid). Constants : Specific gravity, 

 0-8819-0-8858 at- 15-5° C. ; saponification value, 125-9 ; iodine value (Wijs), 71 per 

 cent. ; unsaponifiable (alcohols), 36-88 percent. ; melting-point of alcohols, 30-5-31-5° C. 

 It yields no glycerin. It appears that the oil is not a glyceride, but a liquid wax 

 resembling arctic sperm-oil to a remarkable degree, and, like it, showing no tendency to 

 gum. It was suggested in discussion that the oil contains a large amount of cetyl oleate. 

 The body-fat of the bird, of soft consistency, brown colour, and strong fishy smell, con- 

 tained 3-5^4-3 per cent, free fatty acids (as oleic acid) ; iodine value (Wijs), 89-1 per 

 cent. ; unsaponifiable matter. 1-76-2 per cent. ; specific gravity, 0-9351-0-9380 at 

 15-5° C. ; titre test. 29-4° C. 



B. C. A. 



3. An Attempt to introduce Olearia semidentata into the British Isles. 

 By A. A. DDrrien-Smith. (Kew Bulletin, No. 4, pp. 120-126, 

 8 photos ; 1910.) 



A popular account of a short excursion to the Chatham Islands by the author in 

 quest of living plants. A general account is given of the vegetation of the main island. 



