364 Transactions.— Botany. 
the base ; lowermost 1-1} inches long distant and shortly peduncled, the 
upper approximate, sessile, becoming progressively shorter. Glumes ovate- 
oblong, membraneous, brown at the edges, produced into a cuspidate awn, 
usually bifid at the apex, but sometimes acute. Uftricle as long as the 
glumes, shortly stipitate, strongly nerved, usually deep-brown above, 
narrowed into a short bifid beak. Arms of style 3. 
Hab.— Glory Cove, Paterson’s Inlet, Stewart Island. Gathered J anuary, 
1880. 
Art. LII.—Notes on Epacris microphylla in New Zealand. 
By A. T. Urnqunarr. 
[Read before the Auekland Institute, 5th September, 1881.] 
In comparing the flora of New Zealand with that of Australia, the striking 
fact presents itself to us, that nearly all the species which are identical, and 
peculiar to the two countries, are plants bearing seeds specially adapted for 
dispersal by wind. Any evidence bearing on the interchange of species, by 
natural means, between Australia and New Zealand in the past, and more 
especially the present time, is of some value in assisting us in solving the 
problem of insular floras. Ina partially occupied country positive evidence 
can hardly be expected ; however, as the placing on record the time when 
& new species was first observed, independently of its possible mode of in- 
troduction, will be of great assistance to future botanists, my friend Mr. 
T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S., suggested I should send a few notes on the dis- 
covery I made, about six years ago, of three plants of Epacris on the 
southern side of Manukau Harbour; which have since been determined 
by him as the Australian £. microphylla, It differs from any of our des- 
eribed species, 
Shrub 2-8 feet in height, with virgate slender branches, stem often much 
branched. Leaves cordate, broadly ovate, shortly acuminate, tip slightly 
recurved, concave, spreading, 8 millimetres long. Flowers small, white, 
numerous, often one in each axil, almost sessile, or on peduncles 1 mm. 
long. Bracts and sepals obtuse, or almost acute, sepals 13-2 mm. long. 
Corolla tube shorter than the calyx ; lobes 5, as long as the tube. Anthers 
wholly included. Hypogynous seales short. Style short. Seeds indefi- 
nite, extremely minute. Commences flowering in February, and attaims its 
maximum of bloom in July. 
The spikes are visited by the bee (Apis mellifica) and a number of small 
insects (Colaspis). As some of the plants are now growing under slightly 
