328 Transactioiis. — Botany. 



flowers on Stewart Island were all yellow, while in the Otago alpine localities 

 they are often white. The occurrence of this alpine plant at so low a level 

 in Stewart Island, as w^ell as its dwarfed proportions, give additional proof of 

 the severity of the climate in this part of the colony. Near the summit of 

 the more northerly of the Frazer Peaks, we gathered a robust form of Forstera 

 sedi/olia, which constitutes a very distinct, large-flowered variety, and may 

 prove a distinct species. We also found here a robust form of what may 

 prove to be Celmisia hectori, though I am inclined to rank this also as 

 a distinct species. At all levels we found a new species of Ehrharta, which 

 I have described under the name of E. thomsoni, in honour of my fellow- 

 worker on the expedition. The description and drawings appear in the 

 Transactions of the Institute for the past year. Ligusticum intermedium, 

 which occurs along the south coast of Otago from Nugget Point to the 

 western sounds, grew plentifully along the shore of the upper reaches of 

 the port. In one or tAvo sheltered spots in deep shade, we found excellent 

 specimens of what appears to be Stilhocarjm j^olaris. The specimens were 

 a little past flowering, but had not the fruit mature, so that we could not 

 determine with accuracy whether it is identical with the plant found on 

 Campbell Island and the Lord Auckland group. I may add here that on 

 a former excursion Mr. G. M. Thomson collected Myrsine chathamica a 

 little to the south of Port Pegasus. 



For the purposes of settlement the country around Port Pegasus is of 

 no value whatever. The lower hills are clad with manuka, Avhich has been 

 partly burned off; but there is no grass land, and very few grasses of any 

 kind are to be met with. Ehrharta thomsoni, though widely spread, is very 

 small and of no economic value. A time may come when the granitic rock, 

 so abundant here, may prove valuable ; but its distance from any market, 

 and the great facilities for working the inexhaustible stores of excellent 

 building-stone found at Port Chalmers, will render the time at which it 

 may be utilized very remote. 



On returning from Port Pegasus we proceeded to the Bluff. We had 

 intended to visit Mount Anglem and explore the alpine flora likely to be 

 found on it, but unfavom'able weather prevented us from carrying out this 

 part of our programme. 



Appended is a list of the flowering plants gathered by us. For the 

 identification of the Coniferse Mr. Thomson is responsible ; the others have 

 been examined by myself as well as by him. The hst, which cannot be 

 considered as by any means exhaustive, especially as regards the alpine 

 plants, will be of considerable interest to botanists as extending the limits 

 of distribution of some well-known forms. 



