PATAGONIAN FLORA. 99 



tional species. ISText to this is the definite complexion of these 

 I^lants. Some, indeed, are world-tramps, most so the Erodium 

 cicutarium ; many more are ove inflows from Andian and Xorth 

 American veo'etation, hut verv nianv are characteristic of Pe- 

 raustral America, and some of these are very well marked, so 

 that their presence in a collection would at once prove its home- 

 land. In most cases the genera are the characteristic groups, in 

 some cases there are peculiar species belonging to cosmopolitan 

 genera ; a few of the families are peculiar or nearly so. Thus 

 as a whole we have a well-limited botanical region. 



The climate of Western Patagonia and West Fucgia is verv 

 moist, with the result of having trees and cryptogamic growth 

 in excess. The eastern part is arid, and with fewer species, and 

 these of xerophil habit. Between these extremes are many gra- 

 dations, and there are prospects of a future colonization, and cul- 

 tivation, by human immigration, which is already beginning to 

 be fulfilled in some parts. 



Characteristic forms are not confined to any families of 

 Phanerogams, but some families are remarkable for their special 

 products. 



Among the Gymnosperms we have some forms connecting 

 with the route up by Chili, and on to Central Asia and Europe: 

 thus Ephedra and others connecting with Australia, and Xcav 

 Zealand, as Araucaria, and Dacrydlum. The Tussock-grass (Poa 

 -ftaheUata Hook) of the Falkland Islands, the Pampas-grass 

 {Gyiieriuni, various species), and the many species of SUpa 

 grass, which Spegazzini has described, and the Wheat-grass 

 {Agvopyrum puhiflorum) give a facies to the plains, whilst spe- 

 cies of Chusquea, woody grasses, allied to the bamboo, introduce 

 a subtropical element. 



Amongst the Cyperaceae, one of the most characteristic is 

 the Patagonian Carex (C. patagonica Speg.). Oreoholus has 

 two-ranked flowers, and Uncinia (like Carex, l)ut with floral 

 axis terminally hooked), unite with Australia and jSTew Zealand 

 on one side, and with Juan Fernandez on the other. 



Of the Juncaginacese, Lilaea is 1-merous, and Tetroncium 



