PLATE 8.—DRIMYS TRAVERSII. 
Famity MAGNOLIACE.] [Genus DRIMYS, Forsr. 
Drimys Traversii, T. Kirk i Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxx (1898), 379; Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. 30. 
For the discovery of Drimys Traversii we are indebted to Mr. H. H. Travers, 
who, in December, 1882, collected it in the mountains behind Collingwood, north- 
west Nelson. Mr. Travers’s specimens, which were in a very imperfect condition, 
were communicated to Mr. Buchanan, and were erroneously referred by him to the 
genus Hymenanthera (Trans. N.Z. Inst. xv (1883), 339, t. 28). This mistake was 
not rectified until 1897, when Mr. J. Dall, well known from his botanical explora- 
tions in the Collingwood district, succeeded in obtaining a supply of both flowering 
and fruiting examples. These were forwarded to the late Mr. Kirk, and enabled 
him to refer the plant to its proper genus. Since then it has been collected by 
Mr. W. Townson on Mount Rochfort and Mount Frederic, near Westport ; so that 
it probably stretches along the coast ranges from West Wanganui and Karamea 
to the mouth of the Buller. Its altitudinal range appears to be from 1,500 ft. to 
3,000 ft. 
As a species D. Traverswi is remarkably distinct. It is by far the smallest 
species of the genus, sometimes barely exceeding 2 ft. in height, and its straggling 
or semi-prostrate habit is unique. The small close-set leaves, with their appressed 
petioles, and the reddish bark, also distinguish it at a glance from either D. axillaris 
or D. colorata. 
The distribution of Drimys is most puzzling. Sixteen or seventeen species are 
known, of which three are found in New Zealand, four in Australia, one in Lord 
Howe Island, four or five in New Caledonia, one or two in New Guinea, one of 
which also extends to Borneo and the Philippine Islands. Three species (or more, 
according to the different views of authors) occur in South America, stretching 
from Mexico to Fuegia. Its distribution is therefore very similar to that of Nertera 
and Uncinia. The present centre of the genus is undoubtedly in Australia and 
New Caledonia, and an Austral-Malayan origin might have been predicted for it 
but for the isolated species found in South America. 
Pirate 8. Drimys Traversii, drawn from specimens collected by Mr. W. Townson on Mount 
Rochfort, near Westport, at an altitude of 2,500 ft. Fig. 1, portion of under-surface of leaf, showing 
indumentum; 2, flower-bud (x5); 3, hexapetalous flower (x5); 4 and 5, stamens, front and back 
view (x 8); 6, pentapetalous flower (x5); 7, section of fruit, showing seeds (x 8); 8, fruit, showing 
the persistent saucer-shaped calyx (x 8). 
