446 Transactions. 



has convinced me that it is a distinct species, which should bear 

 the name of 0. cymhijolia. 



Cassinia vauvilliersii, var. albida. 



This has been separated as a distinct species by Dr. Cockayne, 

 under the name of C. albida (Trans. N.Z. Inst., xxxviii, 1906, 

 374). As he remarks, it is distinguished from the typical state 

 by the tomentum on the under-surface of the leaf, which is white 

 or pale-yellowish-white and not fulvous. This character gives 

 the plant a more distinct appearance than might be supposed, 

 so that it is more readily separated from C. vauvilliersii by a 

 cursory inspection ihan some states of 0. leptophylla from 

 C. retorta, or C. fulvida from C. leptophylla. All the New Zea- 

 land species of Cassinia are very closely allied and difficult of 

 discrimination. With it, as with several other New Zealand 

 genera — e.g., Veronica, Gentiana, Epilobiiim, &c. — there seems 

 to be no middle course between largely reducing the numbcK of 

 species — which is opposed to the present tendency of systematic 

 botany — or accepting as distinct a considerable number of closely 

 related forms. The course to be followed in the present instance 

 will depend largely on the point of view and personal judgment 

 of the observer, coupled, of couise, with a full consideration of 

 the evidence available. The variety or species — whichever it 

 may be called — appears to be abundant along the seaward face 

 of the Kaikoura Mountains, extending in a westerly direction as 

 far as the Clarence River and the middle portion of the Wairau 

 Valley, where I gathered a form referable to it many years ago. 



Senecio rotundifolius. 



West Wanganui Inlet, to the south of Cape Farewell ; H. J. 

 Matthews. This shows a considerable northwards extension of 

 the range of this fine plant. Mr. Matthews informs me that it 

 has been advantageously employed for garden-hedges in the 

 south of the South Island. 



LIV. SCROPHUL.\RINE.E. 



Euphrasia cuneata. 



Abundant on D'Urville Island ; H. J. Mattheivs. 



LXXVI. Urticace.^. 



Paratrophis banksii. 



Mr. J. H. Macni.ahon informs me that this occurs on Motuaro 

 Island, Queen Charlotte Sound, but I have seen no specimens. 

 It has been recorded from Stephen Island. 



