414 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



Islands, where it forms thickets. It is a plant with large 

 leaves, green on the upper surface, and covered with a white 

 tomentum below. The effect of the wind on a forest of such 

 plants has been well described by a New Zealand poet (Mr. A. 

 H. Adams). 



" As the leaves to a fiercer gust leau, 

 The wind throws their undersides 



Upwards to sight ; 

 And the foam of the forest-sea flashes to white, 



Out over full fathoms of green." 



0. Buchanani appears to be known from one specimen only, 

 and comes from an uncertain locality in the North Island. 

 0. Allomii is a distinct species from Great Barrier Island. 

 O. angulata has only been reported from the North Cape 

 district. There is considerable reason for believing that this 

 locality was in recent times, — geologically speaking, — an 

 island, and, as such, it appears to have possessed several 

 endemic species in addition to this one, e.g., Cassiiiia amcena, 

 Haloragis cartilaginea, and a Coprosma. Several other 

 species of Olearia are, apparently, very rare. 



This remarkable development of endemic species in the off- 

 islands of New Zealand, undoubtedly suggests that we have in 

 these, new forms originated by isolation. The distribution of 

 the genus, therefore, well illustrates initial endemism, and 

 may be contrasted with such a form as Stilhocarpa polaris 

 {v. p. 301), which illustrates relict endemism. 



Olearia semi-dentata {The Toothed Olearia). 



A small, slender shrub, 1ft. -'2 ft. in height. Leaves white below, thin, 

 1 in. -2 J in. long, ;iin.-Jin. broad, acute, partially serrate. Heads numerous; 

 ray-florets purple. Chatham Islands. Fl. Nov. -Dec. A bog plant. 



Olearia insignis {The liemarhahle Olearia). 



A shrub, 1ft. -8 ft. in height. Leaves 3 in. -5 in. long : 1 in. -4 in. broad, verj- 

 thick, shining above, white below. Heads terminal, Sin. across. Rays narrow. 

 Achenes silky. Pappus-hairs in one series. The finest species of the genus. 

 South Island : Nelson and ]\Iarlborough. Fl. Dec. -Jan. 



