480 Tranmctions. — Miscellaneous. 



some sheltered hollows ov small depressions in the soil a small 

 variety of the graceful New Zealand Daisy (" that unassuming 

 commonplace of Nature ") \Yill here and there be sparingly 

 seen, fully expanding its day's-eye to the genial rays of the 

 foster-parent sun. Here, too, may properl}' be placed a small 

 and neat species of Geranium, which forms low, circular, semi- 

 tufted plants Sin. -5in. diameter, their root-stocks very stout 

 and branched, the branches very short, each with many small 

 and neatly-cut leaves closely appressed to the soil ; its few 

 pale-coloured flowers, on very short scapes, modestly nestling 

 in the centre. Another especial peculiarity of this plant (be- 

 sides its very short flower-stalks) is the varying colours of its 

 leaves — though all of one plant are of one colour — some being 

 grass- others pale-green, others dark-brown, and others pale- 

 fawn with reddish streaks. A minute 3Ii/osotis, scarcely ex- 

 ceeding lin. in height, and bearing yellowish terminal flowers, 

 is sometimes to be met with, but it is rare. This little wee 

 member of the blue-flowered " forget-me-not " family, with its 

 strangely aberrant-coloured flowers, I first detected on the dry 

 slielly banks by the sea-shore, near Farndon, forty years ago. 

 A small erect Cardaiuine, with minute pure-white flowers and 

 dark-purple stalks, very likely identical with those of the 

 Antarctic islets described by Hooker. A little spreading green 

 and shining Colohanthus, with pale-green and white starry 

 flowers. A highly graceful and curious little Leptinella (or 

 Cotu.la), with neat and regular pinnate leaves, and tiny heads 

 of yellow flowers, forming thick matted beds, its long stolons 

 creeping underground. To obtain only a fair specimen of this 

 pretty little plant one must cut out a pretty large turf. I have 

 good reasons for believing there are two distinct species of 

 Leptinella here on these plains, but they are very much alike 

 at first sight. Another and a similar plant as to its manner 

 of growth (but not as to its foliage and flower; is a small 

 species of Nertera. This plant grows together so densely as 

 rarely to allow of any other growing among its intermixed and 

 rooting branches. Its small and simple, close and concave 

 leaves are almost vertical. Its pale-yellow flowers are dioecious 

 and highly curious, and are large for the humble plant ; they 

 grow^ singly, and are produced clear above its leaves, and are 

 extremely delicate. Its flowers much resemble those of the 

 larger shrubb>- Coprosma genus, to which this genus is very 

 closely allied. And yet another very similar plant as to its 

 densely compact and matted manner of growth, and also in the 

 form of its closely-set leaves, which are small and very regular, 

 is a species of creeping Gnaphalium, which often forms low, 

 close-growing, and tolerably large j)atches ; its slender flower- 

 ing-stems, however, which are erect, and appear later in the 

 season, are 2in.-3in. high. 



