Cheeseman. — Flora of New Zealand. 273 



This is practically the same arrangement as that given in 

 Kirk's " Students' Flora " and in my Manual, with the ex- 

 ception that Petrie's two species L. Matau and L. Kawarau are 

 treated as subspecies of L. sisymbrioides. I feel sure that no 

 botanist will agree with this view who is acquainted with the 

 three plants in a living state, or who has studied large suites 

 of specimens of them. Dr. Thellung's monograph contains 

 much information respecting the morphology and classification 

 of the genus, and should be consulted by all New Zealand 

 botanists. 



IV. Violace^;. 



Hymenanthera obovata. 



At the time of the publication of the Manual the flowers 

 of this species were unknown. I am now indebted to Mr. F. G. 

 Gibbs for specimens of both sexes obtained at the Graham 

 River, Nelson — a locality where I collected it many years ago ; 

 and to Mr. H. J. Matthews for female flowers from a cultivated 

 plant. 



The following is a description : Flowers axillary or on the 

 branches below the leaves, solitary or in fascicles of 2-4, dioecious. 

 Males : About j^-g in. diameter ; pedicels decurved, equalling 

 the flowers or shorter, bracteolate below the middle. Sepals 

 ovate, obtuse, free almost to the base ; margins minutely fim- 

 briate. Petals free to the base, erect for the lower two-thirds, 

 revolute at the tips, narrow- oblong, obtuse. Anthers coherent ; 

 connective produced above the anther into a lanceolate process 

 as long as the anther and fimbriate at the tip ; scale at the back 

 of the anther exceeding it, narrow-cuneate. Females : Smaller 

 than the males and less numerous, and on rather shorter pedicels. 

 Petals shorter and broader in proportion. Abortive anthers 

 present. Ovary ovoid ; style short ; stigmas 2. 



Hymenanthera dentata, var. angustifolia. 



Saddle between Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu ; a few specimens 

 noticed amongst subalpine scrub near Lake Nga Puna a Tama ; 

 altitude, 4,300 ft. ; T. F. C. 



The most northern locality yet recorded. 



Hymenanthera dentata, var. alpina. 



Mr. H. J. Matthews informs me that this has a wide range in 

 Central Otago, being found in dry arid places in most parts 

 of the district. Flowering specimens forwarded by him show 

 that the flowers may be either solitary, or geminate, or arranged 

 in 2-4-flowered fascicles. 



