yO CARL SKOTTSBERG 



Rano Kao, forming an extensive association along the edge of the lake (no. 

 676; scommon rush of the marsh growing 2,5 m high», Albatross no. 55!); 

 Rano Raraku, few, small -stands (also Albatross no. 33!). 



The variety differs from the ordinary form mainly in its greater size and 

 more compound panicle. The largest plants grow in Rano Kao. The plant 

 from Rano Aroi was called 5. riparius by FuENTES, who regarded the large 

 form " from Rano Kao, which he collected sterile, as another species. The 

 smaller rush was seen by us in a small stream with almost stagnant water, 

 flowing from Rano Aroi, but was not collected, as we intended to return to 

 the same place; from this we were prevented by the sudden departure of the 

 vessel. I do not think that more than one species grows in the island: if 

 FUENTES vS. riparius is of the same size and habit as the ordinary plant, var. 

 paschalis may be a local form of the sheltered crater lakes, best developed 

 in the deepest crater, that of Rano Kao. KOKENTHAL does not indicate any 

 characters in the spikelets or flowers to distinguish it from the type. 



Area of distribution: Calif, and Texas to Fuegia and Falkl., Hawaii, 

 Easter I. 



Juncaceae. 

 Juncus L. 



*I5. J. plebeius R. Br. 



Western edge of Rano Kao (no. 680), c. 300 m. — New for Easter Island. 



The specimens are typical. According to BucilENAU in Pflanzenreich, 

 June. p. 115, the flowers probably always are cleistogamous. This is also the 

 case with the majority of the flowers in my material; they have three stamens 

 with anthers coherent with the very small stigmas. Only in very few cases 

 normal open flowers were seen, with six fully developed stamens and long 

 stigmas. 



Area of distribution: Austral., Tasman., N. Zeal., Easter I. 



Polygonaceae. 

 Polygonum L. 



16. P. acuminatum H. B. K. — Plate 8, fig. 1. 



Common in the three large craters. — »Comun en los 3 crateres* (FuEN- 

 TESl); Rano Aroi, few and small patches; Rano Kao, abundant along the lake 

 (no. 679; »very abundant in marsh», Albatross no. 56!); Rano Raraku (also 

 Albatross nos. 35! 36!, specimens with narrower leaves). 



FUENTES remarks 1. c: »Aunque difiere un poco de la forma ti'pica sud- 

 americana, respeto la opinion de los eminentes botanicos doctores ENGI.ER i 

 Stapf sobre su identificacion.>, 



