164 THE TASMANIAN FLORA. 



1. M. ADPEBSSA, Meissn. A prostrate creeping or climbing shrub, often 

 covering tbe undergrowth to a considerable distance. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, 

 with a cordate base, or nearly orbicular, from 1-3 inches long, on stalks half as 

 long as the laminae. Inflorescence loose at the ends of the branches. Flowers 

 few together, in interrupted spikes or axillary clusters. Trui ting-perianth more 

 or less succulent, white. Nut nearly globular. 



Common on coasts. It occurs also throughout Southern Australia, and 

 extends to New Zealand and South America. Fl. Nov.-Dec. 



2. M. AXILLARIS, Hook. A small, wiry, prostrate, spreading shrub. Leaves 

 ovate to orbicular, under | inch, stalked. Flowers small, solitary, or 2 or 3 

 together in the upper axils, or at the ends of the branches. Fruiting-perianth 

 very slightly succulent. Nuts smooth, and prominently 3-angled. 



Avooa, Western Tiers, &c. It occurs in New South Wales and Victoria, and 

 extends to New Zealand. Fl. Dec. 



Order ISN.—MONIMIACEuE. 



Perianth regular, combined with the floral ring at the base, the lobes spreading. 

 Stamens in most genera very numerous. Pistil of free, usually numerous, carpels, 

 with a single ovule in each. Fruit of several dry or fleshy carpels, on an 

 expanded receptacle. 



An order of trees and shrubs confined to the Southern Hemisphere. But few 

 genera are represented in Australia, and Tasmania possesses but one. 



ATHEROSPBRMA. 



Flowers dioecious or nearly so. Perianth with a tubular base, and 8 or 10 

 lobes in 2 rows. Stamens numerous. Anthers extrorse, with valvular dehiscence. 

 Carpels numerous, in several rows, bearing long styles. Achenes dry, with long 

 feathery styles, surrounded by persistent perianth-tube. 



The genus consists of 2 species, one confined to Australian, the other to New 

 Zealand distribution. 



A. MOSCATA, Lah. An erect tree, bearing numerous lateral branches. Leaves 

 opposite, shortly stalked, lanceolate to ovate, acutely toothed to entire, green 

 above, pale beneath, 1-3 inches long. Flowers numerous towards the ends of the 

 branches, but each one solitary, axillary, and on a stalk about ^ inch long; 

 dioecious, but in many Tasmanian trees consistently monoecious. Each flower*, 

 subtended by 2 broad enclosing bracts. Male : perianth with ovate lobes J inch 

 long, stamens about 12. Female: shorter perianth-lobes, and numerous villous 

 carpels, the inner ones only perfect, the outer row consisting of staminodia, and 

 often (in Tasmania) developing perfect anthers on 2 or 3 of thorn. 



Very common in forests, principally in hilly districts : also in Victoria and New 

 South Wales. Fl. Sept.-Oct. 



Order LXVL LAURACEJE. 



Perianth regular, shortly or not at all tubular at the base. Segments 6, or 

 fewer, all equal, or three outer ones smaller. Stamens normally twice as many 

 as; perianth-segments, but- variable. Anthers 2 or 4-celled, each cell opening 

 with an upturned valve. Ovary free, bearing a solitary suspended ovule. Style 

 simple, usually short, with a capitate stigma. Fruit in most genera succulent, 

 the perianth deciduous, but more often forming a succulent base to the ovary, or 

 combined with and entirely enclosing it. 



A large order, with a wide tropical distribution. Few genera extend to 

 temperate climates. 



