TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION D. 229 



somewhat smaller, presenting a untidy appearance, which 

 formed a remarkable contrast to the nests of the adult birds by 

 which they were surrounded. Sea-hawks were numerous, and 

 constantly on the look-out for unguarded eggs. The small 

 yellow-headed paroquet (Plati/ccrcus nova;-.~clandice) was some- 

 what numerous amongst the Coprosma scrub ; and a small 

 snipe, probably GaUinago pusilla, was not infrequent on the 

 south-eastern portion of the island. 



To return to the vegetation : The mass of sedges and 

 grasses was slightly relieved in many places by the large 

 leaves and flower-masses of Stilhocarpa polar is, and by a hand- 

 some Senecio, new to science : although herbaceous, it is of 

 robust growth, and forms large spreading bushes, with fistulose 

 stems, the thickness of a man's finger, and terminal corymbs of 

 yellow, rayless flower-heads. It is related to S. candicans, 

 DC, of the Falkland Islands, but the leaves are sessile and 

 much divided : it appears to be of easy cultivation. A curious 

 and pretty gentian (also new to science) was plentiful ; it 

 formed rather close masses, sometimes over 1ft. in diameter, of 

 erect stems, procumbent at their base, and from Sin. to lOin. 

 high. The stems and leaves were either of pale-yellow or red- 

 dish-purple, with solitary axillary flowers, those on the plants 

 with yellow stems being white, and those on the others being 

 purple vertically streaked with red, the result in each case 

 being that the flowers, notwithstanding their abundance, are 

 not observed until the plant is somewhat closely examined. It 

 is allied to G. concinna of the Auckland Isltinds. Golohanthus 

 muscoldes was observed on the cliffs, exhibiting a considerable 

 extension of its range eastward. A remarkable form of StclJaria 

 decipiens, with the leaves much smaller and capsules much 

 larger than the typical form on the Auckland Islands, 

 was found growing over deserted nests of the albatross. 

 Licjusticum antipodum was abundant, although everywhere 

 past flowering, and exhibits a considerable extension of its 

 southern and eastern range. The same may be stated of 

 Plaurophyllum crinifcrum, which was fully as luxuriant as on 

 the Auckland and Campbell Islands. A dwarf nettle with 

 large leaves {Urtica australis), of considerable stinging-povv-er, 

 was plentiful, chiefly on the eastern side. It is stated on the 

 authority of Bidwill to occur in the southern extremity of the 

 North Island, but has not been collected of late years in any 

 part of the North or South Island. It now appears to be con- 

 fined to the Chatham Islands, islands in Foveaux Strait, Anti- 

 podes Island, the Auckland Islands, and Campbell Island. 

 Another plant of considerable interest is Dcschampsia Jiookeri, 

 & form of the Catabrosa antarctica of Campbell Island. The 

 typical form of Carcx panlculata formed immense tussocks on 

 the north side of the island, and could not be distinguished 



