Floristik und Systematik der Phanerogamen. 729 



Dense forest still Covers a considerable portion of the sur- 

 face of Chatham Island, especlally in the South west. It con- 

 tains no high trees, the average being about 20 ft.; the level 

 of the tree tops appears to be very evenly maintained by the 

 wind. A luxuriant undergrowth of shrubs and ferns is found 

 where the forest has not been disturbed. The trees and shrubs 

 appeared to be entirely evergreen. The following forest species 

 are peculiar to the group : Olearia Traversii F. Müll., Seneclo 

 Hiintii F. Müll., Myrsine chathamica F. Müll., Mymenanthera 

 chathamlca. Species which the author considers doubtfully 

 distinct from their New Zealand congeners are Coprosma sp., 

 Veronica sp., Corokia sp. (near C biiddleoides A. Cunn.), 

 Pseiidopanax sp., Sophora sp. and Plagianthiis sp. (near P. 

 betullmis A. Cunn.). The endemic palm, Rhopalostylis Bauerl 

 H. Wendl. and Drude (allied to R. sapida H. Wendl. and Drude, 

 of New Zealand) grows luxuriantly among the forest under- 

 growth. 



The Moorland Vegetation consists largely of the common 

 bracken fern (Pteris aqiiUuia). Two epacrids, probably ende- 

 mic, Cyathodes sp. and Dracophyllam sp., are abundant. The 

 endemic Olearia semldentata, Decaisne occurs in large patches. 

 One species of Aclphylla is probably endemic. 



Many species are particularly characteristic of the coast. 

 Among them are Olearia chathamlca and another species 

 found on Pitt Island, Veronica chathamlca and Geranliim Tra- 

 versii — all endemic. Leiicopogon Rlchel is an Australian 

 species not found in New Zealand. Marram grass {Ammophlla 

 ariindlnacea Hort.) has been successfally introduced as a sand- 

 binder. The Chatham Island Lily, Myosotldlum nobile grows 

 in the sand a short way above high-water mark. This remar- 

 kable plant is found only on Chatham Island and the 

 Snares (near Stewart Island, South of New Zealand). 



The Flora is a fragment of the Flora of New Zealand. 

 The entire absence of Conlfers, Beeches, Fuchslas, nearly all 

 Myrtaceae. Carmlchaella and Cordyllne is remarkable. There 

 is at the same time a large proportion of peculiar species and 

 varieties. 



Three causes are advanced to explain these differences. 

 1) The climate is such as to exclude the xerophilous, alpine and 

 subalpine New Zealand forms. 2) During the former land- 

 connection an enormous desert tract probably existed between 

 New Zealand and the Chatham group. 3) Sufficient time has 

 elapsed since the subsidence of the connecting area to permit 

 of the origin of many new forms. H. H. W. Pearson (London). 



Eastwood, Alice, A Descriptive List of the Plauts col- 



lected by Dr. F. E. Blaisdell at NomeCity, Alaska. 



(Botanical Gazette. XXXIII. p. 126—149.) 



The author lists 82 plants, many with critical notes. The following 

 are characterized asnew: Iris arc//fß (illustrated), Anemone narcissiflora 



