222 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
a distinct species—and it is, it must be confessed; in certain spots a 
constant variety, —but I have seen it gradually losing its bulk and 
length, and red flowers, and descending (gradatim) to the common 
yellowish-flowered state of that species; so that I have long ago set 
it down as being merely a variety. This variety is very common 
all about the Bay of Islands, and, in fact, to be everywhere met with 
throughout the whole of this North Island. At present there are 
several varieties known to me, but only two species. One of those 
varieties is a very curious one, every leaf being highly and differently 
variegated in alternate stripes of white and green, running from the 
apex to the base of the leaf. This kind grew well in my garden at 
Paihia, Bay of Islands (as it does in my garden here) ; but, although I 
have met with several plants in different parts of the island, I have 
never yet found one in flower. Nor have I seen a single plant growing 
quite wild: they always occur where they have been, at some time or 
other, planted by the natives. 
The principal points of difference,—points, I mean, which may be 
obvious to the most unscientific eye at first sight,—between the two 
present known species, are, the reflexed, subacute, and mostly greenish 
perianth, and the narrower, and strictly tapering, almost pungent leaf 
of the second species :—this latter character never fails ; the’ smallest 
plant at all seasons may be correctly distinguished by it. Whereas the 
leaves of the first species (P. tenax) are never strictly tapering, never 
acuminate ; they (their apices) always present, so to speak, a segment 
of a circle, a kind of pointed arch. For, the carinated back of the leaf 
abruptly inclining towards its edges at about two inches from the apex, 
gives the top of the young unopened leaf seen in profile the appearance 
of the bow of a canoe. Hence it is'that a mature leaf of P. tenaz, un- 
broken, unslit at the apex, I have never yet seen; on the contrary, full- 
grown leaves of the second species, with unsevered apices, may be ob- 
tained from every plant. ; 
I could offer further remarks upon this peculiarly New Zealand genus ; 
but time presses. I will merely add, that I have often attempted to 
secure good specimens of both species for you, which some years ago I 
promised to do, and have as often failed. What with the size of the 
plant, its stout woody scapes, perianths overflowing with honey, and 
harsh and gummy leaves, which invariably roll up while drying, it is a 
most unpleasing subject to handle, and as ugly when dry. But I will 
have another trial yet. - 
