THE ABT ALBUM OF NEW ZEALAND FLORA. 



63 



2. AEISTOTELIA COLENSOI (Hook., F.) Mr. Colenso's Aristotelia. 



Specific Character. — Very Bimilar, in most respects, 

 to A. racemosa, but differing in tlie mueli narrower, perfectly 

 glabrons leaves, which are oTate-lanceolate, narrowed into a 

 long acuminate point, deeply irregularly serrate ; and the 



small fruit, which is no bigger than a peppercorn. The seeds 

 are as in A. racemosa. I have seen no flowers. — Handbook of 

 the Neil' Zealand Flora, p. 33. 



Description, etc. — This small tree is common to the Northern I.sland, and is known 

 mostly as growing in the woods of the Wairara^m Valley. It is probably known in other 

 districts, but its presence has not been indicated. It is in ajijjcarance similar to 

 A. racemosa, but has much smaller leaves and smaller fruit. It is consequently not so 

 handsome as the foregoing. The able compiler of the "Handbook" not having seen 

 the plant in flower, — -only, evidently, having had a fruiting specimen to diagnose, — 

 we are imable to speak as to the size or colour of its flowers. The species is called after 

 Mr. Colenso, F.L.S., as a further tribute to his extensive researches in New Zealand 

 botany. 



3. ARISTOTELIA EEUTICOSA {Hook., F.) The Shrubby Aristotelia. 



; 



Specific Character. — A small, rigid, erect or decumbent 

 shrub, with woody tortuous branches, and erect or spreading 

 downy shoots, with red-brown bark. Leaves very variable, on 

 short, downy or glabrous petioles, coriaceous, ^-1 in. long, 

 ovate-obovate, or linear-oblong, obtuse, entire, crenate-toothed, 

 serrate or lobed. Flowers minute, usually solitary and axillary. 



rarely racemose ; peduncles usually short. Petals, -f, 

 short, or as long as the calyx, entire or lobed, pink, shorteJ 

 the feniale. Stamens, 4-6 ; filaments short ; anthers dowj 

 ovary 2-4-eelled. Berry, globose, small, 4-6-seeded. Si 

 with a bony, rugged testa, covered with a thin pulp. — Ha\ 

 book of the New Zealand Flora, p. 33. 



Description, etc. — This species is common in mountainous districts throughout the 

 Islands, at an altitude of from 2,000 to 4,000 feet, and varies greatly in character. It is 

 stated by Sir J. D. Hooker, in the " Handbook," " that he made four varieties, but they 

 seem to be only states, determined by age and exposure, rather than hereditary races." 

 Messrs. Hector and Buchanan appear to regard this species as a form of A. racemosa. 

 As in A. racemosa, the flowers are polygamous, but much smaller and more s^iaringly 

 produced, and are destitute, like the other species, of fragi'ance and honey. Its siDCcific 

 name is due to the plant being of a shrubby character. 



GENUS III. 

 ELCEOCARPUS {Linn.) The Eloiocarpus. 



Generic Character. — Trees generally hard-wooded, 

 with the branches leafy at the extremity. Leaves generally 

 alternate, exstipulate. Flowers racemose, usually hermaphro- 

 dite, liendulous. Sepals, 4 or 5, valvate. Petals, 4 or 5, 

 laciniate, iuduplicate-valvate. Stamens numerous, seated ou 'A 

 glandular torus ; fdamenti short, anthers long, awned, pubes- 



cent, opening by a short terminal slit. Ovary 2-5-celled ; 

 style subulate, stigma simple; ovules 2 or more, pendulous. 

 Drupe with one bony, 1- or several-celled nut, which is often 

 tubercled (or wrinkled. Seed pendulous. — Handbook of the 

 New Zealand Flora, j>. 31. 



Description, etc. — A very large tropical genus principally of India and Java, a few 

 species occurring in Australia and New Zealand. They either form trees attaining 



