36 
It is most nearly related to E. Dillwynti, Hook., of the section 
Hymeneria, but is one of the most distinct of this section on account 
of its crimson petals and lip. 
New Zealand Forest—There is no vegetation on the globe which, 
whilst existing under climatic conditions not very dissimilar to 
those of Great Britain, yet presents so marked a contrast to its 
flora as that of New Zealand. his aspect has been vividly 
brought before us by the well-illustrated report* on the Vegetation 
of the Higher Waimarino District of New Zealand, recently 
issued by the Government. Waimarino is an elevated district 
some 1,100 sq. miles in extent, situated about the middle of North 
[sland on the western side. it varies from 25 to 45 miles in 
diameter and is intersected by the main trunk railway. Its 
altitudes vary from a few hundred to over 4,000 feet above 
sea-level, and it appears to comprise within its limits most of the 
plants belonging to the central botanical province of New Zealand. 
This interesting report deals with the vegetation at elevations of 
1,000 feet and over. At, and immediately above that level, the 
ground is covered with high forest largely composed of taxads, or 
allies of our common yew, amongst which Podocarpus Totara, 
Phormium, &e. In the shady moist depths of the forest tree-ferns 
and their smaller allies are abundant and the illustrations give a 
good idea of their size and beauty. The beautiful Todea superba, 
long an inhabitant of our gardens, fills much of the forest floor. 
. Turner enumerates some 320 species of plants that he found 
in this district, of which more than two-thirds are endemic to New 
Zealand—a remarkable proportion. Two other characteristics of 
the New Zealand flora are illustrated by this report : the abundance 
of epiphytic vegetation, and the extraordinarily polymorphic 
character of many of its species. 
W. J.B. 
* Report ona Botanical examination of the Higher Waimarino District by 
E. Phillips Turner, Inspector of Scenic Reserves, Department of Lands, 
Wellington, New Zealand, 1909. . 
