3. S. DECIPIEXS {Hook., F.) 



A glabrous, laxly-tufted, weak, decumbent, pale-greeu, branching herb. Leaves, 

 \-\ in. long, ovate or obovate, acuminate, narrowed into a broad, somewhat ciliate petiole. 

 Peduncles, axillary, 1-3-flowered, 2 bracteolate in the middle, shorter or longer than the 

 leaves. It is found in the islands forming the Lord Auckland Group, and in Cam25l)ell 

 Island. It is closely allied to the S. media of Europe, which is naturalized abundantly 

 in some parts of New Zealand, but differing in the axillai-y, 1-flowered peduncles, and 

 absence of a pubescent line on the branches. Also allied to the Tasmanian S. flaccida, 

 but the flowers are much smaller. 



tt. S. EOUGHII [Soolf., F.) Captain Rough's Stellaria. 



Fig. 5, Plate No. 6. — A short, much-branched succulent, erect or straggling, green 

 Alpine herb, 2-4 in. high. Leaves, \-% in. long, fleshy, linear, acuminate, 1-nerved. 

 Elowers large, ^-f in. diam., terminal, solitary, on short stout peduncles. It is a very 

 singular species, and easily recognised by its large green flowers, quite unlike any 

 other in habit. It is indigenous to the Middle Island, being found on the mountains^ 

 in shinijle beds, at an altitude of from 4,000 to 6,000 feet. Named by Sir J. D. Hooker, 

 in honour of Captain Rough, one of our early and diligent botanists. 



5. S. GRACILENTA {Hook., F.) The Slender Stellaria. 



Fig. 6, Plate No. G. — A wiry, rigid, loosely-tufted mountain species, with scabrid 

 stems 2-4 in. high, and very long peduncles. Leaves, \ in. long, glabrous, shining ; 

 the margins revolute to the midrib, leaving a deep furrow between them. Peduncles 

 axillary in the upper leaves, solitary, 1-flowered, 1-4 in. long. Flower \ in. diameter. 

 Sepals linear, oblong, obtuse, with white, very broad, scarious margins. Petals, 5. 

 Seeds, 8-10, yellow-broAA-n. Found on the mountains of the Middle Island up to an 

 altitude of 4,500 feet. It is a very peculiar species, and is at once recognized by its 

 rigid, wiry habit, narrow leaves, and very long, erect, slender peduncles. 



<JENUS III. 

 COLOBANTHUS. {Bartl.) The Colobanthus. 



Generic Chaeactee. — Usiiallr densely tufled, rigid 

 green lierbs, with subulate, opposite leaves, and solitary green 

 flowers on short or long terminal scapes or peduncles. Sepals 

 4 or 5, coriaceous, erect. PetalsO. Staraens4or5, perigynoiis, 



alternate with the sepals. Styles, -t or 5, opposite the sepals. 

 Cajjsule OToid, many-seeded. — Handbook of New Zealand 

 Flora, p. M. 



Description, etc. — A remarkable genus of little rigid, tufted herbs, gla])rous, and 

 often fleshy, with narrow (or short) and imbricate leaves, and solitary green flowers. 



