374 Transactions. — Botany. 



This well-marked form is sufficiently distinguished from the type by the 

 petioled leaves, compressed nuts, and the peculiar habit. In some respects 

 it approaches M. spathulata, Forst., but diverges in the long petioled radical 

 leaves, the sessile cauline leaves, broader calyx lobes and sessile flowers which 

 are always axillary, never given off from below the leaves. As with most 

 forms belonging to the genus, it varies considerably in the amount of 

 hairiness ; but the hairs, however scattered, are invariably appressed. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE XXVII. 



1. Brachycome thomsonii, nat. size. 



2. Floret of the ray. 



3. Floret of the disc. 



4. Achene of the disc, all magnified. 



Art. XXXIV. — Notice of the Discovery of Amphibromus in New Zealand, 

 with Description of a new Species. By T. Kirk, F.L.S. 

 [Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 13th February, 1884.] 

 Plate XXVIII. 

 On my last visit to the Waikato district I had the pleasure of discovering 

 an undescribed species of Amphibromus, a genus hitherto supposed to be 

 monotypic and restricted to Australia : my specimens are in a somewhat 

 advanced condition, but after waiting for a lengthened period in the futile 

 hope of procuring perfect examples, I deem it advisable to publish a descrip- 

 tion without further delay. 



The nearest allies of Amphibromus in the New Zealand Flora are Trisetum 

 and Danthonia : the former is readily distinguished by the spikelets consist- 

 ing of 2 or 3 flowers only : the latter by the tufted hairs on the back of the 

 flowering glume, and especially by the position of the awn, which is ter- 

 minal, springing from between the lobes of the glume. In Amphibromus 

 the spikelets consist of several flowers, the awn is strictly dorsal, adherent 

 with the flowering glume for the greater part of its length, and the glume 

 is destitute of tufted hairs on the back. 



Amphibromus Jiuitans, n. s. 



Culms floating or procumbent, glabrous, 12"-18" long, rooting at the 

 nodes, leafy ; leaves slightly scabrid, flat, ligule laciniate. Panicle l"-2" 

 long, partially included in the loose sheath, simple, or with one or two short 

 distant branches, lax, rhachis and pedicels scabrid, slender ; spikelets 



