Page:The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage.djvu/386

350

1. THUJA, Tourn.

1. tetragona, Hook., in ''Lond. Journ. of Bot.'' vol. iii. p. 144. t. 4.

South Chili and Strait of Magalhaens; Port Famine, Capt. King.

This species has been described, on the authority of Mr. Bridges, as the true "Alerse" of Chili. Upon showing my specimens, however, to M. Claude Gay, the celebrated Chilian traveller, he assured me that the "Alerse" was a totally different plant, and not a Thuja at all; a statement the more probable, from Capt. King's description of the Alerse leaves, which, he says, resemble those of a Pine in colour, but are ouly half an inch long; though the difference may arise from the young and old states of this, as of other Conifer&aelig;, often bearing leaves of a very different appearance. When enumerating the woods in use in the Island of Chiloe, Capt. King mentions in one place (p. 281) the "Alerse" and "Cypress", which are thus usually considered as different plants, and says that the "Cypress" is brought to that Island in "tablones" (or planks), seven or eight feet long, two inches thick, and nine or twelve inches wide, as is also the "Alerse"; but the latter, from the facility in which it splits, is brought in boards also. The same voyager observes (p. 183) that, though the "Cypress" is thought to be a different tree from the "Alerse" he considers it only a variety, the wood being white, whilst that of the "Alerse" is deep red. Naturalists who are aware how uncertain are the limits of the acknowledged species and varieties of European Conifer&aelig;, will readily appreciate the difficulty that attends the determination of those of an opposite hemisphere, only known to us through insufficient specimens, vague reports, and incorrect information. Capt. King evidently believes the "Cypress" and "Alerse" to be identical, for he affirms that the former grows commonly in the Strait of Magalhaens, in all parts west of Cape Forward, but that there, from the poverty of the soil, the wood is of very stunted growth (p. 283) ; and this description tallies with the specimens of Thuja tetragona in his Herbarium.

Thuja tetragona is apparently a rare Magellanic plant. Capt. King says it is found on the north shore of the Strait between Cape Forward and Port Gallant, but not to the eastward, except on the sides of Mount Tara, where it only reaches the height of three or four feet (King's Voy. p. 131). The same author elsewhere states that the natives make their spears of its wood (p. 568). In Hermite Island where the Thuja does not exist Drimys Winteri is used for that purpose.

1. CHLOR&AElig;A, Lindl.

1. Gaudichaudii, Brongn., in Duperrey Toy. Sot. p. 189. t. 44. A. Lindl. Gen. et Sp. Orchid, p. 405. Aretlmsa lutea, Gaud, in Ann. Sc. Nat. vol. v. p. 101, et in Freyc. Voy. Sot. t. 133. ''D'Urv. in M&eacute;m. Soc. Linn. Paris'', vol. iv. p. 604. "Satyrion," Pernetty, Voy. vol. ii. p. 54. t. 8. f. 5.

Falkland Islands, Gaudichaud, D'Urville, Mr. Wright, J. D. H. Not uncommon in moist pastures of the Falkland Islands, varying a good deal in size and in the breadth of its leaves. It differs from the C. alpina, Poepp., of South Chili, by the flowers being very much smaller, and the sepals, petals, and labellum differently formed. Both the figure and description of Brongniart, are very good.

2. Magellanica, Hook, fil.; labello ovato-cordato obsolete trilobo breviter unguiculato marginibus inflexis glandulis grossis elongatis stipitatis cristato axi sub-lamellato, lobis lateralibus sub-laceris