long, stout. Ovary glabrous. Styles shorter than the stigmas , nearly connate at the base. Stigmas 
long, narrow, feathery. Grain ovate-oblong. Distribution- op Species : CAMPBELL ISLAND, 
FALKLAND ISLANDS, TERRA DEL FUEGIA, TASMANIA, ALPS OF SOUTH-WEST 
AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND. 
This grass is widely distributed over the Islands in wet places. It was, some years ago, found 
abundantly in Otago and Southland, from the sea-level to 3000 feet altitude. When found at low alti¬ 
tudes it is always larger and coarser than when under sub-alpine influences. It is often found growing 
luxuriantly among sand-hills near the sea, where its long wiry roots penetrate to a considerable depth in 
the soil. It is, apparently, a soda-loving plant, being partial to littoral swamps, where, in such places, it 
often attains four feet in height, the large graceful plume-like panicles forming conspicuous objects, and 
emitting, in warm weather, a strong perfume. When found in upland pastures it is of much smaller size, 
and more succulent, forming a valuable component of the pasture, and eaten by cattle and sheep with 
apparent relish. This grass, with many others, has suffered much in the South Island in the general 
deterioration of the pasture during the last fifteen years ; and, although its deep-seated roots might 
have enabled it to resist the effects of repeated burnings, yet, where burning has been combined with 
over-feeding, it has nearly been destroyed. It is probable that this grass has been somewhat over-rated 
as regards its nutrient qualities, but it would be an impossible task to lay down a constant value for 
any grass, as this must continually vary, according to the different conditions in which it is placed as 
regards soil, moisture, and heat. 
In sub-alpine situations, both in New Zealand and in Australia, the settlers do not recognize much 
difference between this species and H. alpina ; and in such situations the value of both in pasture is 
nearly equal, neither being considered as a first-class grass. 
Reference to Plate VI. : Fig. 1. Plant. 2. Spikelet. 3. Florets with the empty glumes 
removed. 4, 4. Nervation of empty glumes. 5. Nervation of staminiferous flowering glumes. 
6. Nervation of staminiferous Palea. 7. Nervation of fertile flowering glume. 8. Nervation of 
fertile Palea. 9. Scale of staminiferous floret. 10. Scale of fertile floret. 11. Ovary. 12. Grain. 
