THE BUCKTHOEN FAMILY 



237 



Mokau and the Mohakatina Rivers. The scientist, on seeing 

 them, was forced to admit that he had not observed any tree 

 of the kind in New Zealand before, and the Maoris considered 



Fig. 7-2. Poniaderris phylicsefolia (.3 nat. size). 



this admission was prima facie evidence of the truth of their 

 tale. Sir James concm-red in their view, and suggested that, 

 "if we could hereafter determine the original habitat of the 

 tree, it might give us a clue to the whereabouts of their 



