There are a few species and varieties that need the protection of a greenhouse, even 

 iu temperate climates. In New Zealand, the order is represented by only one genus, 

 Drimys, o-enerally considered by botanists to consist of two species, D. axillaris and D. 

 colorata, but neither of them possess fragrance. 



GENUS I. 

 DRIMYS {Fo)'st.) TheDrimys. 



Generic Ciiaeacter. — Sepals, 2 or 3, membranous, com- 

 bined into an irregularly lobed cal.vx. Petals, (3 or more in 2 

 or more series. Filaments thickened upwards ; anther cells 



diverging, carpels few. — Handhook of New Zealand Flora, 

 p. 10. 



Description, etc. — A genus consisting of trees, natives of South America, Australia, 

 Borneo, New Caledonia, and New Zealand. D. Triuferi, a native of Chili and the 

 Straits of Magellan, furnishes the bark known as Winter's Bark, which, both in appear- 

 ance and properties, is much like Canella bark, but of a darker colour internally. It is 

 a stimulant aromatic tonic, but is seldom used. This bark was first introduced into 

 England by Captain Winter in 1579, he having accompanied Sir Erancis Drake to 

 Magellan Straits. In Brazil the bark of the D. granatensis is used against colic. D. 

 piperita is a native of Borneo. 



1. DRIMYS AXILLARIS (Forsf.) The Axil-flowered Drimys. 



Specific Ciheacteh. — A small, slender, evergreen tree, 

 lC-30 ft. high, with black bark, aromatic and ]Hingent in all 

 its parts. Leaves 1-6 in. long, clliptieal-ovate, blunt, shortly 

 petioled, quite entire, bright green above, glaucous below, pel- 

 lucid doited, midrib hairy beneath. Flowers small, axillary, 



or fi'om scars of fallen leaves, solitary, or few together ; 

 pedicels slender. Petals unequal, linear. Stamens 8-10, in 

 several series. Berries about 3, size of a peppercorn. Seeds, 

 several angled. — Handhook of New Zealand Flora, p. 10. 



Description, etc.— Fig. 3, Plate No. 5.— The " HOROPITO."— This beautiful 

 little evergreen tree is fairly abundant m forests throvighout the Islands. It will be seen 

 that though it is classed as one of the Magnolia family, it has l)ut little general resem- 

 blance to the handsome plants of that name, which grace our gardens, and regale us with 

 their fragrance. Apart from this, however, it has some pretensions of its own ; with its 

 bright shining foliage, and coal-black branches dotted here and there with clusters of 

 orange-coloured berries, almost always growing together in groups of threes. It is very 

 generally knoAvn by the colonists as the " Pepper Tree," on account of its highly pungent 

 properties. The flowers are insignificant, and of a pale green colour, closely set in upon 



