Floi'a of Australia. 371 



<ievelops in the axil uf the scale leaf (Fig. m). If the sstein is 

 ivilled from a point below the first scale leaf, the basal part 

 j-emains living for weeks, increases in diameter, but ultimately 

 ihe roots die and the thick basal green shoot follows suit. (Fig. 

 h). In one such case after persisting for three months a crop of 

 witches' broom-like outgrowths formed at the apex, one of which 

 ^developed into a slender twining shoot. (Fig. n). The seedlings 

 of C. melantha therefore resemble those of Cuscufa in having no 

 cotyledons, but differ in having an early rooted stage. After a 

 good parasitic attachment has been formed the basal part shrivels 

 .andi dies. In one respect the germination is quite peculiar, 

 namely, in the fact that the o2Jex of (he stem is the absorbing 

 -organ, and remains in the seed until all the food material has 

 been absorbed, usually developing scale leaves in the seed before 

 it is finally withdrawn. In this respect the germination of 

 <C^assytha melantha is unique, and it would be of interest to know 

 ^^hether all the species of Cassytha behave similarly, and also 

 whether they are all devoid of cotyledons. 



Casuarina stricta, Ait., replaces Casuarina quadrivalvis, 

 Labill. (1806). (Casuarineae). 



It is to be regretted that the well-known name of C. quadrivalvis 

 »nust go, but there seems to be no other course possible. The same 

 change has been made by Mr. Maiden. (Fl. N.S. Wales, II., 

 142.) 



CoPROSMA REPENS, Hook. f. (Rubiaceac). 



The question of the relationship of this plant to Coprosma 

 pumila, Hook, f., has been raised. Both names really refer to 

 the same plant. The former name was first given in Hooker's 

 Flora Antarctica, I., 22, p. 16. In the appendix (Flora Ant- 

 -arctica, II., 542j, the name of C. pumila is given but really refers 

 to the same plant, hence the former name stands. In Hooker's 

 Plora of New Zealand, C. pumila is quoted from Hook, Flora 

 Antarctica, I., p. 22, and C. repens from I., p. 23; but the 

 ^quotations are incorrect. C. repens is on p. 22, and C pumila 

 is only mentioned in the appendix. 



DiDiscus PILOSUS, Sm., replaces Didiscus pusillus, F. v. M., and 

 DiDiscus Bentiiami, Doniin., replaces D. pilosus, Benth. 



DiDYMOTHRCA PLEiococcA, F. v. M. (Pliytolaccaceae), now becomes 

 Oyrostemon cyclotheca, R. Br. 



