376 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



featiu'es, in response to the similar and direct actions of a like 

 environment, so that all these species have arisen v^^ithout any 

 aid from natural selection whatever." Without entering into 

 the wider question as to the method of evolution, which is 

 obviously outside of the scope of this work, it may at once be 

 admitted, that the remarkable reduction of leaf surface in 

 these plants, is a direct response to altered environment, but 

 surely Prof. Henslow is wrong in suggesting that the reduction 

 in the size of the leaf is due to the alpine habitats of the 

 species, as most of them are plants of the upper river terraces, 

 rather than of the high alps ; and they often grow in 

 clefts of rocks, on shingle slips, and in other arid situations, so 

 that their depauperated leaves are more likely due to their 

 xerophily than to the rigours of an alpine habitat. It must be 

 remembered that the vertical distribution of these species was 

 but little known when Hooker's Handbook of the New 

 Zealand Flora was published, and Professor Henslow has 

 apparently relied largely on the altitudes given there. 



Veronica speciosa {The Handsome Veronica). 



A stout shrub, with angular branches. Leaves oblong, thick, shining, 

 1 in. -4 in. long, 1 in.-lj in. broad. Flowers in dense racemes, deep purple, \ in. 

 in diameter. Stamens long. Capsule Jin. long. North Island: Hokianga 

 (now extinct). Fl. Oct. 



A rare and beautiful form with crimson flowers, which 

 flourishes best, when in reach of the sea spray. It was 

 formerly found at Hokianga Heads, but is apparently now 

 extinct in that locality. According to Mr. Rutland, it is 

 however, still to be found in Titirangi Bay, Marlborough ; but 

 this habitat requires confirmation. Many varieties of this 

 plant are cultivated in gardens. The glossy green leaves, and 

 large racemes, densely packed with flowers, make it a very 

 attractive shrub. As in other sea-side plants, the leaves are 

 protected by a two-layered epidermis. 



