NEW ZEALAND WOODS. 177 



some of these small pendulous racemes of flowers, of the aspect and 



form of Carmichaelia , but larger, are put forth ; it further agrees with 

 that genus in the general character of the calyx, petals, and stamens, 

 but in fruit it widely differs. 



Legume slender, about an inch long and one-twelfth of an inch broad, 

 linear, compressed, with the margins somewhat indented between each 

 cell, membranous, pale-green, almost translucent, indehiscent, with as 

 many cells as seeds, but the pod is not articulate between the cells. 

 Seeds oblong, pale-brown, with a very short funiculus ; radicle twisted, 

 club-shaped at the extremity, as long as the cotyledons. 



Mr. Bentham, who has kindly examined this plant, informs me that 

 it is nearly allied both to Seshania and Carniichaelia, and is very impor- 

 tant as showing the affinities of the latter genus. I may add that the 

 form of the embryo is essentially the same in Notospartium and Carmi- 

 chaelia, the radicle in the latter genus being always club-shaped, in 

 some species folded abruptly upwards, and applied to the margins of 

 the cotyledons, in others folded first downwards, and then upwards ; 

 it never however is twisted, as in Notospartium. 



Plate III. Fig. 1, flower; 2, vexillum; 3, ala; 4, carina; 5, calyx 

 and stamens; 6, ovary; 7, ripe fruit; 8, joint of ditto, opened, show- 

 ing the seed ; 9, embryo : — all magnified. 



New Zealand Woods. 



We are glad to find that the subject of the relative value of the 

 woods of the islands of New Zealand, their properties, strength, durabi- 

 lity, etc., has occupied the attention of the Governor, as appears by the 

 following letter, published in the ■ New Zealand Government Gazette,' 

 December 24, 1856: 



Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, December 20th, 1856. 



His Excellency the Governor directs the following Report of trials 

 made at the Royal Mint, Sydney, of some of the woods of New Zea- 

 land, to be published for general information. 



As a knowledge of the qualities of the various woods of the Colony 

 would be productive of much public advantage, the Government of 

 New Zealand will with much pleasure receive any information— accom- 

 panied, if possible, by specimens— relative to woods, with respect to 

 which there may be but little or only local knowledge, with a view to 



VOL. IX. 



2 A 



