Cheeseman. — Revision of the N.Z. Species of Carex. 435 



This is principally distinguished from C. testacea by its smaller size ; 

 shorter and stouter culms ; and more strongly nerved biconvex perigynia. 

 It is usually from 6 to 12 inches high, but alpine specimens are much 

 depauperated, only 2 or 3 inches high, bearing two or three short and stout 

 spikelets sunk amongst the leaves. 



23. C. cirrhosa, Berggren, Physiograph. Saltskaps Minneskrift Lund, 

 1878, 29, t. 7, f. 27-34. 



South Island. — Waimakariri Eiver, Berggren. Lake Lyndon, alt. 2,500 

 feet, J. D. Enys ! T. Kirk ! T.F.G. 



A curious little plant, first discovered by Dr. Berggren, and excellently 

 described and figured by him. Its only near ally is the following species : — 



24. C. cryptocarpa, Cheeseman, Trans. N.Z. Inst., xvi., p. 412. 

 South Island.— Vicinity of Lake Tekapo, Canterbury, alt. 2,500 feet. 



T.F.G. 



This is near to C. cirrhosa, but differs in its larger size and stouter 

 habit ; broader glumes ; larger more turgid perigynia, with shorter beaks 

 and serrate margins ; and in having 3 stigmas. The nut is trigonous, 

 while it is lenticular in all the fruiting specimens of C. cirrhosa that I have 

 examined. Old tussocks of this species often have a most peculiar appear- 

 ance. The centre dies out, leaving a hollow ring which grows on 

 vigorously. In dry weather the leaves all curve inwards towards the centre 

 of the ring, giving the tussock the appearance of a cushion with a low centre. 



25. O. uncifolia, Cheeseman, Trans. N.Z. Institute, xvi., p. 412. 



South Island. — Mountains flanking the Wairau Valley, Nelson, alt. 

 3,000-4,000 feet, T.F.C. 



Differing much in habit from the two preceding species, never forming 

 close compact tufts, but having more of the habit of small and fine leaved 

 specimens of C. brevicuhnis. Besides this, the culms and leaves are much 

 more slender, spikelets smaller, and the perigynia of a very different shape, 

 being trigonous or almost fusiform, or, to take a familiar example, very 

 near to those of C. lucida in shape. As I only have it from one locality, 

 some little allowance must be made for the description. Small specimens 

 are often hardly more than an inch or two in height, but large ones attain 

 5 or 6 inches. 



26. C. pulcriella, Berggren, Physiograph. Saltskaps Minneskrift Lund, 

 1878, 29, t. 7, f. 20-26. 



South Island. — Mountains near the Bealey Biver, Canterbury, Berggren. 



I am not in a position to add anything to Dr. Berggren's description of 

 this species, for although I am inclined to refer to it some specimens of a 

 plant gathered in the Wairau Valley, Nelson, they are much too imma- 

 ture to warrant a positive conclusion, Dr. Berggren remarks that it is 



