222 FLORA OF NEW ZEALAND. [ Thymelee. 
glaberrimis valde coriaceis superne medio canaliculatis subtus carinatis costa marginibusque incrassatis 
floralibus paulo latioribus, capitulis laxifloris, perianthii tubo gracili laxe sericeo-villoso laciniis lineari- 
oblongis spathulatisve 3-2-plo longiore, genitalibus exsertis. Forst. Prodr. A. Rich. Fl. A. Cunn. Prodr. 
Var. B. Menziesii ; ramulis glaberrimis, foliis elliptico- v. oblongo-lanceolatis lineari-oblongisve. 
Has. Throughout the Islands, from south of the Thames to Stewart’s Island. Scarce in the Northern 
Island. Base of Tongariro, etc., Colenso. Southern Island, Lyall. Var. 8. Dusky Bay, Menzies. 
An erect shrub, 3-5 feet high, which, except when in flower, may readily be mistaken for Veronica buxifolia 
or some of its allies. As a species it appears very distinct, from its erect growth, smooth or sparingly hairy branches, 
quadrifariously imbricated, glabrous, coriaceous leaves, which are keeled, have a thick margin, and are often glossy, 
and from the upper ones being broad and forming a sort of involucre to the inflorescence, as in most of its Australian 
congeners, but not to so remarkable a degree. The leaves are so thick as often to wrinkle in drying ; they turn deep 
brown or yellow-green, the upper ones often assuming a verdigris-green hue, also characteristic of various New 
Holland species. Var. 8 may be a new species, but I have scen only one specimen, and that in bud only. P. virgata 
is, perhaps, the nearest ally of this, and agrees in the form of the flower; and I have erect specimens of P. pro- 
strata coming very near it in other respects. 
7. Pimelea Zyallii, Hook. fil.; caule elongato prostrato robusto divaricatim ramoso, cortice pallide 
brunneo, ramis ascendentibus sericeo-villosis, foliis siccitate pallide flavo-viridibus 3 unc. longis subdense 
guadrifariam imbricatis lineari-oblongis acutis rarius elliptico-ovatis supra concavis glabratis subtus convexis 
pilis longis laxe sericeis, capitulis 3—4-floris, perianthii sericei tubo lobis ovatis obtusis paulo longiore. 
Has. Middle and Southern Islands. Ruapuke Island and Port William, ya//. 
Most nearly allied to P. arenaria, Cunn., but a different-looking plant, retaining a pale yellow-green hue when 
dry, instead of the dark-brown of P. arenaria, and having remarkably few-flowered capitula. Stems prostrate, a foot 
or more long, stout, flexible, covered with pale-brown bark. Branches 4-6 inches long, densely silky, villous. 
Leaves numerous, loosely imbricate, 4 inch long, linear oblong or elliptic ovate. Flowers rather shorter than the 
leaves.—I have also a small specimen of this from Mr. Colenso, labelled as from the Southern Island. 
Gen. IT. DRAPETES, Zam. 
Perianthium tubulosum; limbo 4-fido; fauce squamata v. esquamata. Stamina 4, fauce inserta. 
Stylus lateralis; stigmate capitato v. plumoso. Nua ecorticata. 
Small creeping moss- or heath-like plants, with minute linear imbricating leaves, and solitary or few, terminal, 
inconspicuous flowers, that differ from Pimelea only in having four stamens, and scales at the throat of the perianth. 
Only four species are known, one from Fuegia, two from New Zealand, and one from the mountains of Borneo. 
Endlicher has separated the D. Dieffenbachii generically, on the ground of the tube of the perianth not being angular 
and jointed, and its throat being closed by the scales. The Borneo D. ericoides however (Hook. Ic. Plant.) combines 
the characters of unjointed perianth, glandular faux, and capitate stigma; and all the species rank naturally under 
one genus. (Name from 8pamerns, a runaway ; from the deciduous perianth.) 
1. Drapetes Dieffenbachii, Hook.; fruticulus, caule repente ramosissimo, foliis dense imbricatis linea- 
ribus obtusis apice barbatis, floribus brevissime pedicellatis foliis immersis, perianthii fauce squamata, 
pedicellis ovariogue apice barbatis. Hook. Lond. Journ. Bot. v. 6. p. 497. t. 17. 
Has. Northern and Middle Islands. Mount Egmont, Diefenbach. Tongariro, Bidwill Top of 
Ruahine mountains, Colenso. Warrau mountains; abundant, Bidwill. 
A small heath-like plant, with prostrate, slender, shrubby stems, 6 inches to a foot long. Leaves imbricated, 
linear, appressed, blunt, bearded at the tip, 2 lines long. 
