PLaTE 7.—RANUNCULUS AUCKLANDICUS. 
Famity RANUNCULACE. ] [Genus RANUNCULUS, Liny. 
Ranunculus aucklandicus, A. Gray, Bot. U.S. Expl. Exped. i, 8; Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. 22. 
So far this species has only been recorded from the Auckland Islands. For 
its discovery we are indebted to the United States Exploring Expedition, which, 
as is well known, was engaged in geographical researches in the southern seas during 
the years 1838-42. The brig “ Porpoise,” one of the vessels composing the expedi- 
tion, paid a visit to the Auckland Islands when returning from a cruise to the 
Antarctic regions, anchoring in Port Ross on the 7th March, 1840. A stay of three 
days only was made, but during that period Dr. Holmes, the surgeon attached to 
the vessel, formed a small collection of plants, among which were specimens of a 
species of Ranunculus. After the return of the expedition these were described by 
Asa Gray under the name of Ranunculus aucklandicus. Curiously enough, the 
plant was not observed by Hooker, in Ross’s expedition, nor by the French 
expedition under the command of Admiral D’Urville. Subsequent visitors, however, 
have found it by no means uncommon in swampy places, especially near the sea. 
I have seen specimens collected by Mr. T. Kirk in 1890, by Dr. Cockayne in 1903, 
by Mr. Aston and Mr. J. S. Tennant in 1907, and again by Mr. Aston in 1909. To 
the last-mentioned gentleman I am indebted for the specimens from which this 
plate has been prepared, representing a somewhat luxuriant form of the species. 
The nearest relative of R. aucklandicus is undoubtedly Hooker’s R. subscaposus, 
from Campbell Island, which in fact differs only in its smaller size and ovate- 
deltoid more acutely lobed leaves, which are usually 3-partite to the base. It is 
quite possible that a leisurely examination of the two plants might result in their 
union. Dr. Gray, in the ‘* Botany of the United States Exploring Expedition,” 
suggests that R. aucklandicus is allied to R. pinguis. But this is clearly erroneous, 
as it differs altogether in habit, in the 3-cleft and more deeply lobed much less 
succulent leaves, in the appressed strigose pubescence, in the smaller flowers, and 
in the altogether different achene, which wants the subulate style winged at the 
base so characteristic of R. pinguis. The achene of R. aucklandicus belongs to the 
same type as that of R. hirtus, but is less compressed and less evidently margined, 
and is slightly villous with long scattered hairs, especially when yourg, and the 
style is short and hocked. 
Puate 7. Ranunculus aucklandicus, drawn from specimens collected on the Auckland Islands 
by Mr. B. C. Aston. Fig. 1, flower (x 3); 2, sepal, outer face (x 5); 3, petal (x5); 4, stamen (x 5) ; 
5, carpel from flower ( x 5); 6, ripe carpel (enlarged) ; 7, section of ripe carpel (enlarged) ; 8, embryo 
(enlarged). 
