Systematic Botani/.] SUBANTARCTIC ISLANDS OP NEW ZEALAND. 461 



* Azorella Selago, Hook. f. I HierocMoe redolens, K. Br. 

 Afium prostratum, Labill. * Agrostis magellanica, Lam. 

 Nertera depressa, Banks & Sol. Trisetum subspicatum, Beauv. 

 Taraxacum officinale, Wigg. Hymenophyllum rarum, R. Br. 

 Veronica elliptica, Forst. I * Lomaria penna-marina, Trev. 



* Rostkovia magellanica, Hook. f. I * Asplenium obtusatum, Forst. 

 Juncus planijolius, R. Br. Aspidium vestitum, Swartz. 



* ,, scheuchzerioides, Gaud. * ,, mohrioides, Bory. 

 Carpha alpina, R. Br. . * Polypodium australe, Mett. 

 Scirpus cernuus, Vahl. ' Schizaea fistulosa, Labill. 

 Car ex trifida, Cav. i 



If tlie district between the Gulf of Penas and Valdivia (south Chili) had been 

 included, twelve species, more than half being ferns, would have been added to the 

 above list. This would make a total of forty-one species of South American plants 

 found in the southern islands of New Zealand. But this only deals with specific 

 identity, and does not fully exhibit the affinity between the vegetation of the two 

 land-areas. This is shown by the fact that out of the eighty- eight genera found in 

 the southern islands no less than fifty-six have representatives in Fuegia. Before 

 passing to another branch of the subject, it is as well to draw attention to the fact 

 that fourteen of the twenty-nine species mentioned above, or almost one-half, also 

 occur in the Kerguelen Group. The existence of such a large proportion among the 

 plants common to Fuegia and the southern islands shows how much their vegetation 

 partakes of a circumpolar character. 



The nearest approach made to the Antarctic Continent by any large land-mass 

 is that of South America, Cape Horn, its extreme southern point, being little more 

 than 450 miles from the South Shetlands, a chain of islands running parallel with 

 the northern coast of Graham Land. Along a straight line between the two localities 

 the ocean has for a distance of at least 300 miles a greater depth than 2,000 fathoms ; 

 but a broad subm^arine bank stretches away to the eastwards of Cape Horn, including 

 in its course the Falkland Islands, and then, curving southwards and westwards, 

 passes by way of South Georgia, the Sandwich Group, the South Orkneys, and the 

 South Shetlands to Graham Land. On no part of this bank is the depth much 

 greater than 1,200 fathoms, and for most of the distance it is very much less. If 

 South America and the Antarctic Continent were at some past period united, it is 

 along this submarine bank that the connection probably took place, the chain of 

 islands mentioned above still remaining to indicate its course. 



The two large land-areas of South Africa and Australia need a passing mention 

 only. With respect to the first, it will be sufficient to say that its flora shows little, 

 if any, real affinity with that of New Zealand or of the southern islands, and we can 

 afford to neglect it in this inquiry. With respect to Australia the case is somewhat 

 different. Out of the 194 species constituting the flora of the southern islands, 

 fifty -three are found in Australia or Tasmania, a proportion of 27 '3. No doubt 

 this shows a considerable degree of relationship ; but on further inquiry it will be 

 found that every one of the fifty-three species, without exception, is also found in 

 New Zealand proper. In no case is there any proof of independent migration. It 

 is therefore best to treat the species found in Australia as forming part of the New 

 Zealand element in the flora. 



