33 
PODOCARPUS VITIENSIS, A NEW CONIFEROUS TREE, 
x FROM THE VITI ISLANDS. 
By Berruoup Seemann, Pu.D., F.L.S., F.R.GS. 
(PLATE IL.) 
My principal reason for publishing this plate, is to obtain, if possi- 
ble, more complete materials of the plant than I was able to collect. It 
is one of the finest Conifere I have ever seen, and in habit so unlike 
ny other, that I am convinced we have here a new genus, closely 
allied, but different from Podocarpus, with which genus I have pro- 
Visionally placed it. Thai was also the conviction of Professor Parla- 
tore, who is now working up the Conifere for De Candolle’s ‘ Pro- 
dromus.’ Mr. Bennett has well remarked (Plante Javan. p. 35) that 
the seeds of Podocarpus are always roundish; but they are here 
Ovate-acuminate, and moreover, unlike those of Podocarpus, they 
are equilateral, showing that they must be attached in a somewhat 
different manner. Unfortunately, I have nothing of the seeds but the 
inner bony integument, the outer fleshy one having rotted away when 
€ seeds were picked up under the tree. Under such circumstances 
it will be best not to attempt at present the establishment of a new genus. 
The tree is found in the island of Viti Levu, where the natives term 
it “Kau solo.” It attains sixty feet in height and nine feet in cireum- 
ference, produces timber of the first quality, and has drooping, ex- 
tremely graceful branches, which would render the plant a highly de- 
sirable acquisition to our hothouses. I subjoin a brief description. 
PopocanPus ? (Daeryearpus?) Vitiensis, Seem. in Bonpl. x. p. 366 
(Tab. Nostr. n. 2); arbor excelsa, ramis teretibus brunneis ; foliis omni- 
bus distichis ovato-lanceolatis vel subellipticis, acutis vel obtusiusculis, 
l-nerviis, supra viridibus subtus pallidioribus, utrinque stomatiferis, 
nervis in petiolum adnatum decurrentibus ; amentis...; seminibus 
equilateralibus ovato-lanceolatis (v. v. sp.). 
Nomen vernaculum Vitiense: Kau solo. 
Has. In insula Viti Levu (Milne ! Seemann, n. 576). 
ExrLaNation oF Pare II. 
Podocarpus ? Vitiensis, Seem.—Figs. 1 and 2. Portions of branchlets, magnified. 
3 and 4. Seed, without the outer integument, both the natural size. 5. A longitu- 
dinal section of a seed, slightly magnified. 
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