Cross. — Investigations on Phormium. 63 



(3.) The margins are thickened, and brightly coloured orange, red, brown, 

 and black, and there is a tendency for the colour to " run in '' —that is, 

 to extend for some distance in towards the central part of the leaf. This 

 occurs only on the upper surface. If this is the case, the whole tip of the 

 leaf then has the same coloration. 



The leaves of P. Goohianum are much less rigid, and consequently are 

 all drooping. They are shorter, rarely being more than 5 ft. long, and are 

 much narrower (1-2J in.). The edges of the leaf are inclined to curl back- 

 wards. 



(a.) The butt is not so heavy, and is shorter. The inner surface is quite 

 white, or, in rare cases, has a slight pinkish tinge, and there is very little 

 gum. 



(b.) The blade is pale green, and the lower surface is rarely glaucous. 



(1.) The apex is acuminate, and not so inclined to split into two 

 halves. 



(2.) The keel is less thickened, and is of a pale-yellow colour. 



(3.) The margins are not thickened, but are translucent, and are of a 

 very pale yellow colour. The unthickened margins probably account for 

 the tendency of the edges to curl outwards. 



(B.) Differences in Floristic Characters. 



TIL P. tendx does not flower as a general rule for many years, and then 

 generally sends up comparatively few flower-stalks ; while P. Goohianum 

 very often flowers long before the leaves have reached maturity, and its 

 flower-stalks are much more abundant. 



IV. The inflorescence (flower-stalk) of P. tenax is erect, stout, and tall, 

 sometimes reaching a height of 18 ft. It is purple in colour, is glabrous, 

 and has abundant bloom. The bracts are very large, especially those on 

 the lower part of the stalk, and their inner surfaces are orange in colour. 

 On cutting the stalk, sap of a deep-orange colour is expressed. 



The flower-stalks of P. Goohianum, on the other hand, droop in all direc- 

 tions. They are slender, and much shorter than those of P. tenax, for they 

 are rarely more than 6 ft. in height. The stalks taper much more towards 

 the apex than do those of P. tenax, and there is much less bloom, and, indeed, 

 in some it is quite absent. The bracts are smaller, and are of a yellowish- 

 green colour on the outside and quite white within. The sap is a pale- 

 yellow colour, and much less is expressed on cutting. The panicle of flowers 

 is much smaller. 



V. The flower of P. tenax is a dull red or an orange-red in colour, and 

 1-2 in. long. The three outer perianth-leaves are much deeper in colour 

 than the three inner, which are yellow as the flower first opens, but which 

 afterwards become a bright orange-red. They are either quite erect or 

 slightly recurved at the tip. 



The floivers of P. Goohianum are much narrower and slightly shorter 

 than those of P. tenax (1-li in.). The three outer perianth- eaves are of a 

 bright orange colour, and the three inner on opening are of a decided green 

 tint, which afterwards becomes a light greenish-yellow. The inner perianth- 

 leaves are much recurved at the tip, and are much less brittle than those 

 of P. tenax. 



VI. The capsules (seed-pods) of P. tenax are erect oi slightly inclined, 

 stout, trigonous, 2-4 in. long, and not twisted. In P. Goohianum the}'' 

 are long (4-7 in.), pendulous, and very much twisted. 



