CHEESEMAN.—Revision of the N.Z. Species of Carex. 431 
This is an additional proof of the axial nature of the rachilla, and of the 
correctness of the theory that the perigynium is composed of a modified 
ract. 
15. C. ternaria, Forst. Prodr., no. 549; Hook. fil. Fl. Nov. Zeal., i., 
282; Handbk. N.Z. Flora, 814. C. geminata, Schkuhr, Car., 75. C. poly- 
stachya, A. Rich. Fl. Now. Zél., iii., t. 21. 
Var. a.—Tall and stout; leaves broad, often over + inch; spikelets 
numerous, stout, pendulous. 
Var. 8, gracilis.—Tall, slender; leaves 4-1 inch; spikelets usually 
numerous, long, often over 4 inches, very slender, sometimes hardly 4 inch 
in diameter. Approaches C. subdola. 
Var. y, pallida.—Stout, leaves often rigid and coriaceous; spikelets 
fewer, short, pale, on long filiform peduncles; perigynia broader and more 
turgid, hardly nerved, sometimes with serrate margins. 
North and South Islands.—Varieties a and 3 abundant throughout, from 
the North Cape to Stewart Island and the Auckland Isles, and from sea- 
level to 4,000 feet. Var. y.—Marshy places in the mountains of the South 
Island, apparently plentiful, D. Petrie! T.F.C. 
This is one of the most variable of the New Zealand Carices, as also one 
of the most common and widely diffused. I have endeavoured to sort its 
numerous forms into three main varieties, as characterized above; but it 
must be borne in mind that there are numerous intermediates. Var. a is 
usually of general occurrence in lowland districts, by the margins of swamps, 
along the banks of streams and in open gullies. It is often over 4 feet in 
height, with broad harsh and cutting leaves 4 inch or more across, and 
numerous (12-24) dark brown stout pendulous spikelets, that are often 3 or 
4 inches long by + inch broad. Var. gracilis is usually found in woods. 
Small forms appear to pass into C. subdola; but ordinarily it can be dis- 
tinguished by the longer awns to the glumes, and more numerous ternate 
or quinate pendulous spikelets. The extreme form of var. pallida has a 
very distinct appearance, and is probably the same as the supposed new 
species briefly noticed in the ‘‘ Handbook” as having been collected by 
Haast near Lake Ohau. But in many districts transition forms between it 
and var. a can be collected. 
C. ternaria appears to be confined to New Zealand. 
16. C. buchanani, Berggren, Journ. of Botany, 1880, p. 104. C. 
tenax, Berggren in Physiograph. Saliskaps Minneskrift Lund, 1878, t. 3, f. 
1-7 (a name already occupied). 
South Island.—Abundant in hilly and mountain districts throughout, 
rare in the lowlands. Berggren, Armstrong! Buchanan! Petrie! G. M. 
Thomson! T.F.C. It also probably occurs in the mountainous districts in 
the centre of the North Island, but I have seen no specimens from thence, 
