402 Transactions,— Botany. 
Ascending the hill direct from the town, but diverging widely from the 
beaten track, the first plant collected of special interest was Juncus lampro- 
carpus, a recent addition to our flora. Stunted specimens of Carpha alpina 
were observed at less than twenty yards above the sea-level. Gratiola nana 
occurred in several spots, and on swampy ground Drosera spathulata was 
abundant. On a patch of peaty soil at no great elevation the rarest of the 
New Zealand sun-dews, Drosera pygmea, occurred sparingly. It isa minute 
plant, not more than half an inch across, and from its grey tinge may easily 
be passed over. It was originally discovered by Mr. Colenso at Cape Maria 
van Diemen nearly forty years ago, and hitherto has not been observed 
elsewhere in the colony, although in Tasmania and Australia it has a wide 
distribution in littoral situations. There can be no doubt that its minute 
size and insignificant appearance have caused it to be overlooked in New 
Zealand. 
The alpine Carew cataracte was observed at a low elevation associated 
with the white-flowered Mimulus radicans and small plants of Schenus 
axillaris, not previously recorded from the South Island. H ydrocotyle 
muscosa and Eleocharis gracillima were found in swampy situations. Thely- 
mitra uniflora waved its graceful purple flowers on peaty ground below the 
summit, sheltering its near ally Caladenia bifolia. Callixene parviflora with 
its attractive waxy flowers and fruit covered the surface, in some places 
intermixed with Herpolirion nove-zelandie. A new species of Haloragis, 
recently described as H. uniflora, often formed a dense sward; the plant is 
readily distinguished from its allies by the solitary terminal flower. Marshy 
spots were occupied by Oreobolus pumilio with the characteristic mountain 
plant Cyathodes empetrifolia attaining great luxuriance on the drier ground. 
Isolepis cartilaginea, a species of remarkably local distribution, occurred in 
one or two places, and a small species, doubtfully referred to T. fluitans for 
the present, was found in plashy spots near the summit. 
The limited time at my command only allowed me to examine the 
restricted portions of the Bluff Hill already mentioned, but the results of 
my investigation warrant the inference that one-fourth of the entire 
phenogamic and fern flora of the colony may be collected here by a 
diligent investigator—an unusually high proportion to be found on such 
a small area and under many unfavourable conditions. 
The adjacent Seaward forest is not nearly so rich in species as the Bluff 
Hill although its general growth is more luxuriant. This wealth of species 
in the latter locality must be attributed to the continuous supply of moisture 
present in an atmosphere frequently agitated by high winds and to the 
_ greater variety of soil and situation, 
aus a ig ee a a eee ae ad an Ss a Sei | a ees ek age ee Renee kak tet a IUS Ma aie 
