186 Tra nsactions. — Botany . 



Hab. Eweburn Creek, Naseby, 2,000 feet ; Hector Moun- 

 tains, 3,000 to 5,000 feet ; Mount Tyndall, 3,000 to 4,000 feet. 



This species has pretty close affinity to U. compacta, Br. 

 It is easily distinguished by its spreading habit, longer spikelets, 

 small dark-brown and strongly divaricating utricles. 



The plant ascends the mountains to a height of 5,000 feet 

 or more, becoming smaller and smaller as the height increases. 

 Many specimens in the higher valleys of the Hector Mountains 

 do not exceed 2 inches in length. 



I have long been convinced of the independence of this 

 S2)ecies, but have found it most difficult to satisfy myself on the 

 point. The extant descriptions of the New Zealand forms are 

 very imperfect and sometimes contradictory, and the genus 

 badly needs working out afresh. I have much pleasure in 

 dedicating the species to C. B. Clarke, Esq., F.R.S., F.L.S., 

 who has most kindly compared it with the types in the Kew 

 Herbarium, and supplied me with much valuable information 

 about the New Zealand species. 



Art. XXVI. — Rate of Growth of Transplanted Trees. 

 By J. Babek, C.E. 



[Read before the Auckland Institute, 29th August, 1887.] 



No. in.* 



Professor Kirk suggested that it would be well to record the 

 growth of the kauri and other native transplanted trees in the 

 Auckland Domain during the lifetime of the planter. 



These trees were planted in the year 1865 by Mr. Chalmers, 

 formerly head caretaker of the domain, now resident at Whanga- 

 rei. The height of three kauris measured are 22ft., 24ft., and 

 29ft. ; circumference of bole 2 feet from the ground, 2ft. lin., 

 2ft. 3in., and 2ft. 2in. respectively. 



As a period of fifty years is short enough to deduce from 

 observation a reliable datum as to the profitable value of kauri- 

 planting, it is to be hoped that the restless spirits who preside 

 over alteration and improvement will spare these trees till the 

 year 1915. 



The sprigs from these kauri trees, plucked in this month of 

 August, the end of our winter, have on them male and female 

 blossoms, immature cones, and leaflets, showing that the trees 

 are in the vigour of growth. The kauri grows in the latter part 

 of the winter, a fact to be regarded in felling, if the non-growing 

 season be the proper time to fall timber. 



* See " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," vol. xviii., p. 311. 



