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NOTES ON SOME PLANTS OF OTAGO, NEW ZEALAND. 321
01* extensive suite of specimens—which might ilhistrate fully the varia-
tions of individuals—that prevents my adopting that view which re-
gards the plants in question, as forms rather than species* Between
several of the plants separately named in Dr. Hooker's ' Handbook of
the New Zealand Flora,' there are not, so far as I have observed, any
good or permanent differential characters of specific value. And I can-
not doubt that a study of any considerable suite of individuals in their
living state will lead to a reduction of the present number of book-
species ! There is a general physiognomical resemblance between the
Otago and British Epilobia ; and one at least of the former, E. tetra-
gomnn, L., is British.
In cultivation in this country, some of the Otago Epilobia appear
to be hardy. Mr. Gorrie informs me that several small woody species,
which were contained in soil and Tree-fern-stems sent him some
years ago from Otago, have successfully stood out several winters in
northern exposures at Trinity, near Edinburgh.
1. E. junceum, Torst. Uplands, about Fairfield, Saddlehill, 12-15
in. high; Chain Hill ranges, 8-10 in. ; ranges about Pinegand, Lower
Clutha ; December, in flower, W. L. L. Apparently one of the com-
monest Otago species. Some of its states resemble, in general aspect,
our E. palustre, L., and E. parvijiorum, Schreb. Its leaves are occa-
sionally infested by the parasitic ^cidium Otagense, Linds.f
The Saddlehill plant is certainly not very pubescent or tomentose.
The young flower and leaf-shoots only are covered with a very fine
white tomentura. There is a very slight puberulence observable here
and there on the stem ; while the mature leaves are glabrous on both
surfaces, or they have occasional traces only of puberulence. Branches
about 1 ft. high. Lower leaves linear-oblong or oblong-lanceolate,
about 1 J in. long and under \ in. broad ; distantly alternate ; margin
variously sinuate-serrate. Upper leaves entire, smaller, and more
linear.
The Finegand plant is shorter, more procumbent, and more leafy.
There is less tomentosity of young leaf and flower- shoots, and of calyx-
tube. Puberulence exists on young leaves only. Leaves smaller, nar-
* I am disposed to agree with Dr. Miiller, who, in his ' Vegetation of the
Chatham Islands,' makes only one species of Epilob'mm and Veronica !
t " Observations on Otago Lichens and Fungi," Trans. Royal Society of
Edinburgh, vol, xxiv. p. 431, plate xxx. figs. 69, 70.