longis, calyce late campanulato lobis obtusis, petalis minimis apice reflexis, stylo bicruri. R. Magellanicum, Poiret, Eneycl. Suppl. vol. ii. p. 856. DC. Prodi: vol. iii. p. 482.
Hab. Strait of Magalhaens ; Commerson. Port Famine, Copt. King. South part of Tierra del Fuego, C. Darwin, Esq. Cape Horn, Mr. Eights.
A strictly Fuegian species, apparently not met with to the northward of the Strait of Magalhaens. On the coast of Chili it is replaced by several others, and on the high mountains of Colombia a very similar plant grows, distinguishable however, at first sight, by its less toothed and crenated leaves and subulate bracteae. The berries of the present have a very agreeable flavour, and may be used for tarts, &c. Another similar, but I think different plant, was collected by Capt. King in Chiloe ; his specimens are, however, too imperfect for determination.
XX. SAXIFRAGEÆ, Juss.
1. ESCALLONIA, Mutis.
1. Escallonia serrata, Smith, Icon. ined. vol. ii. t. 31. DC. Prodr. vol. iv. p. 3. Hook. Ic. Plant. t. 540. Homb. et Jacq. Voy. au Pole Sud, Plant. Phan. Dicot. t. 14. P. Stereoxylon serratum, Poir. Encycl. vol. vii. p. 435. Celastrus venustus, Banks et Sol. MSS. cum icone in Mus. Banks.
Hab. Fuegia and the Strait of Magalhaens; Commerson, Banks and Solander, and all succeeding voyagers.
The most southern species of a genus peculiar to the American continent. It is found as far as Cape Horn, where, along with Veronica elliptica and Berberis ilicifolia, it inhabits the skirts of forests near the sea.
2. Escallonia macrantha, Hook. et Arn. Bot. Miscell. v. iii. p. 341.
Hab. South Chili; Chonos Archipelago; C. Darwin, Esq.
A very distinct species, which may be recognized by the great size of the flowers, and by the large obtusely crenato-serrate leaves. It is also a Valdivian plant, though confined to that portion of Chili which is near to Chiloe.
2. CORNIDIA, R. et P.
1. Cornidia integerrima, Hook, et Arn. in Bot. Miscell. vol. iii. p. 344. Poeppig et Endlicher, Nov. Gen. et Sp. Plant. Am. p. 10. t. 17. Delessert, Icones Selects, vol. iv. p. 46. t. 79. Hydrangea scandens, Poepp. in DC. Prodr. vol. iv. p. 666.
Hab. South Chili; Chonos Archipelago; C. Darwin, Esq.
The fruit of Cornidia integerrima is a small coriaceous three-celled capsule, very similar to that of Hydrangea. The carpels separate from one another, and are loosely invested by the tube of the calyx, bearing a placenta on each inflexed margin. The seeds are numerous, ascending, very small and linear-lanceolate, covered with a loose testa, which expands at the base into an irregularly cup-shaped funiculus, and is prolonged also at the other extremity beyond the albumen, its surface is marked by parallel, sometimes anastomosing nerves or folds of the investing membrane, which include each a solitary spiral vessel. The albumen is fleshy. Embryo axile, cylindrical, with a stout large radicle and two small cotyledons; it is likewise of a curiously reticulated structure: these characters of the testa and of the substance of the albumen also exist in Hydrangea vestita, an East Indian plant. There are some other genera which agree with the present in the form and structure of the seed and loose testa, as Philadelphia, Deutzia, and Decumaria. In all, the investing membrane of the seed is highly reticulated, or rather cellular, that of Philadelphia tomentosus, in particular, so much resembling Cornidia in all but the absence of the
