PLATE 88.—OLEARIA NITIDA. 
Famity COMPOSIT.] °- [Genus OLEARIA, Mancu. 
Olearia nitida, Hook. /. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 125: Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. 285. 
The subject of this plate was first noticed in the year 1773 during Cook’s 
second voyage. In what locality it was observed is not precisely known, but it 
must have been either in Queen Charlotte Sound or in Dusky Sound—most 
probably the first. It was ultimately published by George Forster in his 
‘** Prodromus ” under the name of Solidago arborescens, but the description is so 
short and scanty that without access to Forster’s types it would have been impos- 
sible to fix the species. Fortunately, a set of Forster’s plants exists in the 
Paris Museum of Natural History, and consequently A. Richard, in his “ Flore 
de la Nouvelle Zélande,” was able to prepare a satisfactory description of the 
species. In 1853 Sir J. D. Hooker transferred it to the genus Hurybia, at the same 
time changing the specific name to the more appropriate one of nitida. In those 
days the inviolability of the first specific name conferred upon a plant was not a 
generally accepted doctrine ; and no doubt he was influenced by the fact that the 
name ‘‘arborescens”? would be without meaning in a genus like Hurybia, which 
is altogether composed of trees or shrubs. At the same time, the present laws of 
botanical nomenclature leave no choice in the matter, and Forster’s name will have 
to be replaced, however inappropriate it may now be. 
Olearia nitida is an abundant species to the south of a line drawn from Mount 
Egmont to the East Cape, especially in hilly and montane districts. It frequently 
lines the sides of river-gorges and mountain-creeks; and in summer, when covered 
with the multitudes of its flower-heads, with their white rays and yellow disc- 
florets, presents a very attractive appearance. It descends to sea-level in many 
localities in the South Island, and ascends to over 4,000 ft. 
Few species of Olearia are more variable than O. nitida, and this fact has led 
to the publication of a number of “new species,” which in reality are nothing 
more than trivial varieties. The late Mr. Colenso described four or five, which, 
alter a careful examination of his type specimens, I cannot separate even as 
varieties. The three varieties cordatifolia, angustifolia, and capillaris, described 
in my Manual, show more important differences. It is possible that the first two 
may prove to be distinct species, but the variety capillaris, although remarkably 
distinct in its extreme form (which can be well seen on the Mount Egmont Ranges) 
can be traced step by step into the ordinary state. 
Olearia nitida and its various forms are sharply differentiated from all its allies 
by the broad, thin, and almost membranous leaves, which are clothed beneath by 
a thin white and satiny tomentum very different to that of the other species. 
Puate 88. Olearia mtida, drawn from specimens collected on Mount Tauhara, Taupo, and on 
Mount Egmont. Fig. 1, bracts from the involucre (x 6); 2, ray-floret (x 6); 3, disc-floret (x 6) ; 
4, pappus-hair (x 12); 5, anthers (x 10); 6, style-arms (x 12); 7, ripe achene (x 6). 
