THE SNAP-DEAGON FAMILY 369 



sensitive, but its movements are quite different from those of 

 the two-armed style of the latter plant. The method of 

 pollination of the Glos so stigma, which is remarkably 

 interesting, has been described by Mr. Cheeseman." 



Genus Veronica. 



A genus of about 200 species. Herbs or sbrubs, rarely trees, with opposite 

 leaves. Flowers in axillary racemes, usually blue, purple, or white. Sepals 4-5 ; 

 coroUa 4- (rarely 5-) lobed. Stamens 2. Capsule 2-celled. (The name is Greek, 

 signifying the sacred picture. A European species is said to bear upon its petals 

 a representation of Christ) . Maori name Z^orouito. 84 sp. 



Distribution. — A large European and Asiatic genus, which reaches its 

 highest development in New Zealand, where there are more than 80 species 

 already recorded, while doubtless others still remain undiscovered. Since the 

 publication of Hooker's Flora, the two independent genera, Pygmcea and Logania, 

 have been amalgamated with it, and this has helped somewhat to swell the list of 

 species, until now it outnumbers that of any other native genus. Nowhere else 

 do the Veronicas constitute such a large and prominent portion of the flora. 

 Many of them are handsome shrubs, and nearly aU of them have somewhat 

 conspicuous flowers. They may be found almost anywhere from the sea-coast up 

 to Alpine heights, except on dry open flats, like the Canterbury Plains, where 

 little grows but the tussock grass. They may well therefore be considered one of 

 the most representative genera of the Flora. 



Variation in Veronica. 



As might be expected, in no other local genus, are the 

 species so difficult of discrimination. They show such an 

 extreme variability, that it is possible to describe only the 

 chief forms. From a piece of ground a few yards square, may 

 sometimes be taken a dozen specimens, all showing differences 

 of shape and structure, that in another genus would entitle 

 them to varietal, or even to specific rank. To increase the 

 difficulties of the systematist, many of the species, — particularly 

 those belonging to the whipcord section, — alter largely under 

 cultivation and change of environment. Most large genera 

 show variability, but this one to such an excessive extent, that 

 it compels one to doubt the possibility of defining the species 



*Trans. X. p. 35.5. 



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