Fagus Blairii.

LXXVII. CUPULIFERÆ.

Not uncommon in western Otago-Lake Manapouri, Lake Te Anau, Wakatipu basin, &c.; plentiful at a bend of the river between Lake Te Anau and Lake Manapouri, together with four other species of Fagus-F. Menziesii, F. fusca, F. Solandri, and F. cliffortioides; H. J. Matthews!

Thelymitra ixioides.

LXXIX. ORCHIDACEÆ.

Among Leptospermum scrub at Cowes, Waiheke Island; J. H. Harvey!

Thelymitra intermedia.

Vicinity of Kaitaia; R. H. Matthews! Also a single specimen gathered near Cowes, Waiheke; J. H. Harvey! Thelymitra decora.

This species has evidently a much more extended range than I supposed when I first described it. Waimarino Plains, and south-western base of Tongariro, growing sparingly amongst T. uniflora and T. longifolia, altitude 2,500-3,700 ft.; T. F. C. Near Taumarunui; T. F. C. Among Leptospermum scrub at Cowes, Waiheke; J. H. Harvey !

Thelymitra uniflora.

The most abundant species on the Waimarino Plains, between Central Trunk Railway and Ruapehu; altitude, 2,0003,500 ft.

Most plentiful on boggy ground, amongst Schoenus pauciflorus, Carpha, Oreobolus, &c., but not absent from the drier portions of the plains as well.

Pterostylis barbata.

I am indebted to Mr. B. A. Morison, of Wanganui, for sending me a sketch of what is undoubtedly this species, prepared from specimens obtained by Mr. E. H. Atkinson at Day's Bay, near Wellington. This is a marked southern extension of the range of the species, which was not previously known further south than the Upper Thames Valley. Mr. J. H. Harvey forwards a 2-flowered specimen obtained on Waiheke Island.

Lyperanthus antarcticus.

Moist places on the subalpine meadows of Mount Hector, Tararua Range; altitude, 3,000-4,000 ft.; D. Petrie !

So far as I am aware, this is the first record of the occurrence of the species in the North Island.

Caladenia minor, var. exigua.

Vicinity of Cowes, Waiheke Island; J. H. Harvey !

Caladenia bifolia.

Waimarino Plains, and saddle between Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu; altitude, 2,500-4,500 ft.; T. F. C.

LXXXIII. JUNCACEE.

Luzula Colensoi.

Ascends to the summit of Tongariro; altitude, 6,500 ft.: T. F. C.

LXXXVIII. NAIADACEÆ.

Potamogeton Cheesemanii.

A depauperated state of this species is found in waterholes on the saddle between Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, ascending to a height of 4,250 ft.; T. F. C.

XCI. CYPERACEÆ.

Eleocharis Cunninghamii.

Abundant by water-holes on the saddle between Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, ascending to 4,500 ft.; T. F. C.

Scirpus aucklandicus.

Boggy places on the Waimarino Plains, and on the flanks of Tongariro and Ruapehu; altitude, 2,500-5,000 ft.; T. F. C. Swamps near the summit of Kakaramea; altitude, 4,800 ft.; T. F. C.

I have nowhere seen this plant more abundant than it is in suitable localities in the above-mentioned districts.

Scirpus americanus.

Near Marton; W. Townson!

Schoenus nitens, var. concinnus.

Margin of water-holes on the saddle between Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, ascending to 4,500 ft.; T. F. C.

Uncinia rubra.

near Lake

Various localities on the Waimarino Plains; Rotoaira; between the Rangitaiki River and Tarawera, on the Taupo-Napier Road; T. F. C.

XCII. GRAMINEÆ.

Hierochloe Fraseri.

Waimarino Plains; summit of Mount Kakaramea: slopes of Tongariro and Ruapehu, altitude 2,500-5,000 ft.; T. F. C.

Subalpine meadows on Mount Hector, Tararua Range; D. Petrie !

Agrostis muscosa.

Waimarino Plains; Lake Rotoaira; slopes of Tongariro and Ruapehu, altitude 2,000-4,500 ft.; T. F. C.

Agrostis Dyeri.

Flanks of Tongariro and Ruapehu, abundant, ascending to 5,500 ft.; T. F. C.

Trisetum Youngii.

Ravines on the western base of Ruapehu, 3,500-4,500 ft.; T. F. C. Mount Hector, Tararua Range; D. Petrie ! Amphibromus fluitans.

Vicinity of Marton; W. Townson!

Triodia australis.

Alpine meadows on Mount Hector, Tararua Range; altitude, 4,500 ft.; D. Petrie !

Not previously recorded from any part of the North Island.

XCIII. FILICES.

Hymenophyllum Malingii.

Subalpine forest on the Waimarino Plains, and near the western base of Ruapehu, altitude 2,500-3,500 ft.; not uncommon, and attaining a large size; T. F. C.

Gleichenia Cunninghamii.

Sheltered places among scrub, flanks of Tongariro and Ruapehu, ascending to over 4,000 ft.; T. F. C.

Polypodium Billardieri.

I am indebted to Mr. R. H. Matthews for specimens of a peculiar "sport" with the tips of the fronds regularly crested, obtained near Kaitaia, north Auckland.

Galium verum.

NATURALISED PLANTS.

I have received specimens of this species collected by Mr. Donald Ross at Mahurangi. So far as I am aware, this is the first record of its appearance in New Zealand.

Hakea saligna.

This species, which is occasionally planted for gardenhedges, has established itself in the neighbourhood of Waihi, and, according to Mr. E. R. Green, is spreading fast.

ART. XXII.-Preliminary Note on some Stages in the Development of a Polychate.

By H. B. KIRK, M.A., Professor of Biology in Victoria College, Wellington.

Plate XXIII.

IN January, 1906, I obtained at Plimmerton some very interesting egg-masses of a Polychate. The facilities for examination were not great; but I was able to keep the developing larvæ under observation for five days, although not without intermission. This year I failed in several attempts to obtain suitable material for further observation.

The masses were found cast up by the tide. In texture they are gelatinous, and in shape they somewhat resemble a barrel open at both ends. The length of the masses is from 20 mm. to 25 mm. The shape of any one of them leaves no doubt that it was produced by a worm provided with a cingulum.

In the gelatinous matter are imbedded eggs and larvæ, the latter in various stages of development, owing probably to fertilisation having been effected at different times. Each ovum has a thin membranous envelope, and, outside this, an envelope, possibly albuminous, more highly refractile than the surrounding gelatinous matter.

Embryos in the earlier stages of development were few. The earliest stage of which I could be certain was one in which eight megameres were surrounded by micromeres, apparently sixty-four in number, but of that number I could not be quite

sure.

No trochosphere stage was observed with any certainty.

The earliest certain indication of segmentation of the body is in the appearance of a slight transverse constriction in its anterior part, the body being now broadly oval in shape. This constriction marks the division between the peristomium and the next following segment.

The appearance of the first pair of parapodia was not noted. Stages with the chatigerous sacs of three segments well formed were abundant, and in many of the specimens none of the chætæ had yet reached the surface. In this stage coelomic pouches are observable; but these correspond with the segments only on the left side. On the right side one pouch is often large;

and sometimes only two are observable. An appearance as of a dorsal blood-vessel with lateral branches is, in prepared specimens, very constant at this stage; but it seems unlikely that such a vessel would yet be established (fig. 2). I did not observe this appearance in living specimens. Two eyes, reddish in colour, are noticeable. There is no trace of tentacles or of anal appendages. A lateral view of a prepared specimen at this stage shows an opening behind each chætigerous sac: these openings are probably nephridiopores.

When four segments follow the peristomium a pair of palps is developed, and the rudiments of a pair of tentacles and of a pair of anal cerci appear (fig. 3). There is no indication of an unpaired tentacle. The notopodium and neuropodium of the appendages of the first pair, those of the peristomium, lose their chata and develop as jointed organs with a few rigid hairs. These are to be the peristomial tentacles. In connection with the appendages of each pair is now a pair of flagella. In the case of the peristomium these appear to represent the notopodial cirrus; in the case of the other appendages, the neuropodial cirrus. The egg membrane has by this time disappeared, and the gelatinous matter in the neighbourhood of the larva deliquesces. In this liquid area, which extends constantly, the larva swims by means of its flagella. I am not certain when the flagella disappear; but I could not detect them in any larva that had developed eight segments. Two pairs of small eyes have appeared on the peristomium. In this stage also, that in which four complete segments follow the peristomium, stomodæum and proctodæum appear to develop.

A little later the jaws are observable, and still later they become very noticeable and may be seen to be carried forward with the pharynx, snapping vigorously. The eyes on the prostomium, the first pair that appeared, usually disappear by the time six segments are developed.

Just as the parts of the parapodia of the peristome lose their chætæ, so does the notopodium of the next segment lose its chætæ and develop as a jointed, tactile organ. I saw no change in the neuropodium of this segment (figs. 5 and 6).

I observed the development of several specimens up to thirteen segments; but beyond that time I was unable to keep them alive.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE XXIII.

Fig. 1. Egg-mass; x 11.

Fig. 2. Dorsal view of larva with three pairs of chætigerous appendages. Coelomic pouches developing.