386 Transactions. 



Hab. — Campbell Island, " by margins of rivulets in the 



woods."* 



This plant has so far, like R. pinguis, been found only on 

 Campbell Island. Is is found in great abundance by the side 

 of the small streams running through the Dracophyllum scrub 

 formation, f It occurs also in the moist peaty soil of the Rost- 

 kovia formation, and in the peaty hollows of the subalpine rock 

 region (p. 282). The leaf differs from that of R. pinguis in thick- 

 ness, being a little less than half. This is brought about by a 

 reduction in the number of layers of palisade and spongy paren- 

 chyma. Another point of difference is the presence of unicellu- 

 lar hairs on both surfaces of R. subscaposus. This reduction in 

 tissue is no doubt a direct consequence of the poorer nature of 

 its habitat. This would also account for its wider distribution, 

 and the ease with which it adapts itself to its new surroundings. 



Anatomy (figs. 2a, 2b, 2c). — There is no cuticle distinguishable 

 in this species. The upper epidermis (ep.) consists of large but 

 thin-walled cells, some oblong, others cubical in transverse sec- 

 tion. Hairs (h.) are present on both surfaces as unicellular pro- 

 longations of the epidermal cells, while the cells around the hair 

 are arranged in a radiating manner, radiating outwards from 

 its base (fig. 2b, ep.). The lower epidermis (l.ep.) is composed 

 of smaller cells, interrupted by numerous stomata (st.), which 

 occur on this lower surface alone — another point of distinction 

 from R. pinguis. The stomata project slightly from the surface 

 of the leaf. The chlorenchyma (chlor.) is differentiated into 

 palisade (pal.), consisting of one layer of large cells, widest at 

 their junction with the upper epidermis, but gradually becoming 

 narrower as they adjoin the spongy tissue (sp.). This is loosely 

 arranged in 2-3 layers, and consists of smaller cells — some ob- 

 long, with their axis parallel to the surface of the leaf ; others 

 bordering on the lower epidermis are smaller rounded cells 

 densely filled with chlorophyll. The air-spaces (a.s.) left between 

 the cells of this tissue are also large and frequent. The main vas- 

 cular bundles (v.b.) are situated beneath depressions of the upper 

 leaf surface, and interrupt the chlorenchymatous tissue with their 

 surrounding colourless cells. The smaller veins are scattered 

 throughout the chlorenchyma. An endodermis (endo.) and paren- 

 chyma sheath (p.s.) can usually be recognised. 



Ranunculus aucklandicus, A. Gray. 



" Radical leaves strigose-hirsute, on slender petioles, 3 in- 

 5 in. long or more, slightly sheathing at the base, rounded reniform 

 or the upper rounded truncate or almost subcordate, 1 in.-l| in. 



* Hooker (1804), p. 7. 

 f Cockayne (1903), p. 273. 



