(IKNU^^ II. 

 IIOlIEllIA {J. Cinni.) The I l.,lirn;i. 



Oknkuic Charactkr. — Siiinll Ircea, willi alternate, 

 ]u'luili'(l, I'xci'ssivi'lv variablp, poUucid-ilottcti i'oliiigc, and 

 I'ust'ii-K'tl iixillarv, wliitt*, iKTiiiaplirodito llowcr.s. Peduncles 

 jointed in llie middle, liraets U. C'alvx with a lirnad cup- 

 sliaped tube and 5 teetli. I'elals linear-ublung, obtuse, oblique. 



Stamens ijadelpluis. Ovary ."j-eelled ; nl vies o, filiform. dticniBK 

 eapitatc. Carpels unknown in (//. Siiiclairii), laterullv iiuilc 

 Hat, round a eeiilral axi>, from wliieli Ibey fall a«a_v « ben ri|K-, 

 indeiii^eeiil , ere-h'd at tlie baek wilb a lnend>ranous win;;. 

 Secil pendulous. UttttdbvokoJ' Sew Zraltind Floi-n, p. :(1. 



Descuii'TION, etc. — This genus is coiiHued exclusively to New Zealand. It consists 

 of only tAVO species — Holicr'ui popitliica and H. Sinc/ci/'il ; the I'onncr oT wiiieh lias 

 several varieties. They are small trees, bearing white Howers, and are reuiarkai)le for 

 the fibrous nature of their bark, and the mucilaginous ])ro{)erties whicli they possess. 

 The generic name, Ilohcria, is taken from the native name of " Hohere," given to this 

 genus, in common Avith l^Ui giant hua be(i(liniis and F. Lydllii, all (d' which j)artake in 

 similarity of character. 



1. HOHERIA POPULNEA {A. Ciinn.) The Poplar-like lloheria. 



Specific Chahactee. — A tree 10-30 ft. high, branches 

 hoary. Leaves glabrous, excessively variable in size, shape and 

 toothing, 2-5 in. long, ovate or lanceolate, generally sharply 

 or coarsely double-toothed or serrate. Flowers abundantly 



produced, snow-white, glabrous or hoary, *, s i"- diamt'ter. 

 Carpels produced Imckwards and upwards into awing. — Hand- 

 hook of Sew Zealand Flora, p. 31. 



Description, etc.— Plate No. 12.— The " HOUI," or " WHAU-WIII."— This 



graceful and truly handsome flowering tree attains a height of from ten to twenty feet, 

 and grows abundantly in lioth Islands. It produces great quantities ot snow-white 

 flowers, and is seen to best advantage during the months of March and Api-il, when it is 

 a mass of lovely blossoms. Owing to the chaste appearance of its flowers, it has not 

 inaptly been termed l)y some the " New. Zealand Orange Blossom." It luxuriates in 

 low and sheltered situations. The wood is of no special economic service, but is used 

 extensively in some districts as firewood. The inner bark is peculiar, and consists of 

 layer upon layer of laced fibre, similar to network in appearance. Pi-om this peculiarity 

 it is called by the settlers the "Thousand Jacket," "Lace-bark," or "Ribbon-wood." 

 It is not improbable that the Maoris in their carved work may have taken some ideas of 

 design from this beautiful and interesting tracei-y. The idea of utilising this natural 

 network has been accepted by persons of ingenuity in the Nelson District, where it is 

 most abundant, and many pretty little ornamental articles have been jjroduced from it. 

 A favourite use to wdiicli it has been put is that of bonnet construction, aiul it is asserted 

 that at one time " Lace-bark " bonnets were quite fashionable hi Nelson. A very beauti- 

 ful specimen of the work was exhibited in the Wellington Exhibition in 188.J, and 

 attracted considerable attention. The bark is said to afford a demulcent drink ; when 

 prepared it is worked up into tAvine and cordage by the natives for domestic use. In 



