steaming and maceration in salt water) of the poisonous property 
it is said to possess, is held in considerable estimation by the 
New Zealanders, who collect and use it for food, in seasons of 
dearth. If eaten without this necessary preparation, the person 
becomes seized with severe spasmodic pains and convulsions ; 
from which the sufferer, in some cases, does not recover, but 
has been observed to die in great agony in a few hours. The 
timber is not used for any other purpose than as fire-wood, 
being of short fibre and very soft.” It is a green-house plant, 
and flowers in May. 
Descr. “ A éree, forty feet and more in height,” with rounded 
patent éranches. Leaves alternate, petiolate, obovate, rather 
obtuse, entire, glabrous and very smooth. Panicle thyrsoid, 
terminal. //owers numerous, small, nearly globose, each shortly 
pedicellate. Calyx of five imbricated, nearly orbiculate, ciliated, 
concave sepals. Petals five, suborbicular, a little longer than the 
calyx, concave, ciliated. Stamens five, alternating with five 
petaloid abortive ones, at the base of each of which is a large 
obcordate gland. All these parts now described are united by 
a perigynous disk. Ovary one. Style short. Stigma capitate, 
downy. Ovu/e one, suspended from the top of the cell. 
Fig. 1. Flower. 2. Vertical section of ditto. 3. Perigynous disk, showing 
the insertion of the petals, stamens, and glands. 4. Stamen. 5. Ovary laid 
open :—magnified. 
