Cheeseman. — Notes on the Three Kiwis Islands. 143 



The vegetation on the top of the island is mainly composed 

 of stunted tea-tree (Leptospermum scoparium) mixed with flax 

 (Phormium tenax), common fern (Pteris aquilina), and some 

 common sedges. A few ericetal plants grow in the shelter of 

 the tea-tree, such as Leucopoijon fraseri, Pirn-elect prostrata, 

 llaloragis alata and H. depressa, Lagenophora forsteri, Gnaphalium 

 involucratum , etc. In one or two places, near the edge of the 

 cliffs, some worn and stunted pohutukawas {Metrosideros tomen- 

 tosa) can be found. In the deeper gullies, (several of which, it 

 should be mentioned, contain nice little streams of water,) the 

 tea-tree attains a greater size, and is mixed with shrubs or 

 small trees, but there is nothing approaching the dimensions of 

 an ordinary forest tree. Descending from the highest peak into 

 one of these gullies, the first plant of interest noticed was a new 

 species of Coprosma, with the habit of the common karamu (C. 

 robnsta), but with leaves fully twice the size, and berries as large 

 as small plums — in fact, the fruit is much the largest of the 

 genus. For this plant I propose the name of Coprosma macro- 

 carpa. Along the margin of the little stream which occupies 

 the bottom of the gully were large masses of the rare Colensoa 

 physaloides, which must present a charming appearance when 

 covered with the pale blue flowers. Lower down a few small 

 trees appeared, as the mahoe (Melicytus ramiflorus), wharangi 

 (Melicope ternata), and mangeao (Tetranthera calicaris). Among 

 them was a remarkable new species, very distinct from any 

 plant hitherto found in New Zealand. It falls into the genus 

 Par 'atrophia (the Epica)parus of the " Handbook "), but belongs to 

 the section Uromorus, of which only three species were previously 

 known — one inhabiting the Fiji Islands, another Tahiti, and a 

 third the Philippine Islands. The occurrence of a fourth species 

 in New Zealand is a very extraordinary and inexplicable circum- 

 stance. I have ventured to associate with it the name of my 

 fellow-traveller, Mr. Percy Smith. 



A few tree-ferns were noticed, but all of one species (Cyathea 

 ■medidlaris). Of smaller ferns, Pteris tremula, P. comans, Lomaria 

 procera, Doodia media, Asplenium flaccidum, Aspidium richardi, and 

 Polypodium billardieri were all plentiful. So also was Lomaria 

 acuminata, which has not been previously recorded from New Zea- 

 land, although abundant in Norfolk Island and Sunday Island. 



I append a list of the flowering plants and ferns noticed, in 

 all 82 species. Of this number five are new to the New Zealand 

 flora, three of them being new to science. The list is far from 

 being complete, and will be materially added to when the island 

 is thoroughly explored. My visit was too short to allow me to 

 do more than examine a small portion ; and I had no opportu- 

 nity of landing on either the East or West King, both of which 

 are covered with light bush, and doubtless have plants not 

 found on the main island. 



