1886-87.] Indigenous Flora of Madeira. 89 



which is found only about the highest peaks, among the rocks 

 of which it is a great ornament. 



Polygotuiceoe. — Rumcx maderensis, the Madeira sorrel, is 

 very common in the hill region ; it is generally glaucous, and 

 has showy fruit panicles. 



Urticacece. — Parietaria gracilis, Lowe, is a delicate and 

 uncommon representative of its genus. 



As in Britain, so in Madeira, Dioscoreacea has only one 

 plant, Tamils edulis, Lowe, which is very rare and very 

 graceful. 



Of the Smilacinece, Smilax pendidina is a common plant, 

 climbing by its stipular tendrils. 



Goodyera rrutcrophylla is one of the very few native 

 representatives of the Orcliidacem, which I was never for- 

 tunate enough to come across. Orchis foliosa is common 

 enough. 



Among Liliacece there is Asjjaragus scaber, while the 

 Juncacece supply two forms of Luzida — one of them, elegans, 

 being remarkably pretty and graceful. 



The order Cypcracccc has three or four uninteresting and 

 doubtfully peculiar sedges. 



Gh'aininece. — There are three or four peculiar grasses. 



Phragmites congesta, or Madeira sea-reed, and Deschampsicc 

 argentea, or silken hair grass, are the most noticeable. Of 

 three handsome species of Festuca, two are found on the 

 highest peaks. 



Filices. — As already mentioned, there are three peculiar 

 ferns, viz., Polypodiicm drepanum, Aspidium or Polystichum 

 fcdcinellum, and Polystichum frondosum. 



One species of Lycopodium (stiherectum, Lowe) formerly 

 ranked as peculiar. 



