Colen'so. — On (I fiupposed new Sjjccies of Orobanche. 41 



the eye wanders over au ever-varying prospect of sombre 

 green. From the outline of the ridge by which we ascended 

 other ridges constantly diverged to the right and to the left, 

 showing plainly that the return to our camp was no simple 

 matter. Looking to the south, the whole main range was 

 visible to Maruaepuke, which appeared just on the horizon. 

 The deep gulf forming Coromandel Harbour, with the islands 

 and islets near it, were distinctly visible. Then the eye could 

 follow the irregularities of the coast to the survey camp at 

 Torehina, and could look into Cabbage Bay, the Otautu settle- 

 ment, and the Waiaro Valley, through which we had ascended. 

 On the east coast a large portion of Port Charles was visible, 

 while farther south Mercury Island and the islets near it were 

 quite distinct. To the north, Barrier Island was clearly 

 defined, and away to the west every island and islet in 

 Auckland Harbour was distinctly outlined. 



We did not reach our camp that night, but, sorely against 

 our will, were forced to explore the eastern ridges and deep 

 mountain-gullies. We lost and found the main ridge over and 

 over again ; but soon it became too dark to move, and, after a 

 frugal supper of nikau and water, we sat uneasily on the loose 

 shingle by a fire and waited for daylight. Not a sound was 

 heard in "that lonely forest, except at long intervals the sharp 

 noise produced by the weta and the continuous muffled sound 

 in the distance of falling water. 



There is nothing upon the mountain to support life — 

 neither bird nor beast — so that there was no inducement for 

 the ancient Maori to ascend it ; and, as no kauri grows there 

 above the level of 1,000ft., there is no attraction for the gum- 

 digger : so that, after a few expeditions have been made to 

 fully explore the summit for plants, Te Moehau will x^robably 

 be left undisturbed except by the wind. 



Art. III. — A Description of a Sj^ecies of Orobanche (siq)posed 

 to be new) parasitical on a Plant of Hydrocotyle. 



By William Colenso, F.R.S., F.L.H,. &c. 



[Read before the Rawke's Bay Philosophical Institute, I'ith November, 



1S8S.] 



Orobanche liydrocotylei, Col. 



Plant erect, simple, 12in.-18in. high, cylindrical, rather 

 stout, as thick at base as a large-size common lead-pencil, 

 darkish purple-red ; whole plant thickly glandtilar-pubescent ; 

 hairs short, patent, whitish, their globular tips yellow. Bracts 

 scattered, few at base, very distant below on stem, fin.-lin. 



