206 Transactions. 



remarkable changes through which tlie leaves pass from the young to the 

 mature state. 



Hibiscus trionum and H. diversifolius are both well worthy a place in 

 the flower-garden, more especially so that they are becoming rarer each year, 

 cattle destroying them to such an extent that where at one time they were 

 plentiful now they are unknown. 



Entelea arhorescens, with its large leaves and handsome flowers, is a fine 

 addition to the shrubbery. 



On the clay hills in many parts the large corymbose panicles of bright 

 yellow or cream-coloured flowers of Pomaderris elliptica lend colour to the 

 landscape in September, The flower-buds of this plant form in December 

 and take till September before they open. The fruit is ripe about November. 



For the wild garden, any almost of the difEerent species of Metrosideros 

 (rata-vines) would be suitable, particularly M. albiflora, with its large green 

 leaves and wide-spreading panicles of white flowers ; or M. diffusa, mth 

 bright-crimson flowers ; or M. florida, with its orange-red (sometimes yellow) 

 flowers. 



Place certainly should be given to the various forms of Alseuosmia, the 

 true honeysuckle of New Zealand. In my opinion, the scent of this flower 

 is more delicious than that of any other indigenous plant. Nor is scent the 

 only recommendation, for the shining leaves and the flowers themselves are 

 attractive to the eye. There are four species : A. macwphylla, with leaves 

 3-7 in. long, and crimson (sometimes white) flowers 1-2 in. long ; A. querci- 

 folia, similar, but smaller ; A. Banhsii and A. linariifolia, smaller and 

 smaller still. There are certain forms of Alseuosmia which a mere beginner 

 can place at a glance as typical, but there are so many forms intermediate 

 between the various species that hardly two botanists in a dozen will agree 

 as to which species predominates in the particular specimen. Another 

 remarkable feature of this plant is the curious imitative faculty it possesses 

 in its leaves. I have specimens whose leaves in shape, though not in size, 

 have a striking resemblance to those of a great many other plants, among 

 which may be mentioned the oak, hawthorn, Myrtus hullata (the " bubbled " 

 leaves being exactly imitated), Hedycarya, PiUosporum pimeleoides (type, 

 and var. reflexum), tawa, taraire, Coposma of various species, &c. 



Colensoa physaloides, with its large light-green leaves and racemes of 

 large pale-blue or purple-blue flowers, is suitable for shaded rockeries. It 

 grows readily from seed in damp sheltered situations. 



Iponioea palmata, with its graceful twining stems and white or purple 

 convolvulus-like flowers, is, I think, already included in the lists of flower- 

 seeds. 



Veronica macrocarpa and F. diosniaefolia form handsome shrubs. 



Either of the species of Muehlenheckia would be useful in covering an 

 unsightly corner, owing to rapidity of growth and abundance of foliage. 



One of our handsome conifers, especially in the young state, is the 

 kawaka {Libocedrus Doniana). It will do well in the open, if not exposed 

 too much to the wind. 



Floristic Details. 



In the subjoined catalogue of the indigenous plants of the southern 

 portion of Mangonui County, flowering-plants and ferns (including lycopods), 

 will be found the names of 538 species. Compared with the number of species 

 in the Dominion as shown in the introductory part of the Manual, this seems 

 rather a poor showing. The number there given for New Zealand, including 

 the Kermadec and Chatham Islands, is 1,571 species, so that the plants 



