90 



THE ART ALBUM OF NEW ZEALAND FLORA. 



seedt'd pioces into which tho fruit separates not splitting in halves, but having a large 

 opening on the inner face. The generic name is derived from the Greek words jioina, a 

 covering, and derris, a skin, in reference to the manner in wliich the fruits are loosely 

 invested by the tube of the calyx. Several Austi'alian species, such as P. apetela, P. 

 discolor, P. hetidiniis, and P. elliptica (the Kumarahou of the Maori), and others, are 

 occasionally met with in green-houses in Britain. They produce a profusion of small 

 yellowish-brown or whitish flowers, and are much admired. P. apetela forms a small 

 tree in New South AVales, and yields a hard, close-grained wood, there called "Cooper's 

 wood." The New Zealand species consist of : — (1.) P. elliptica, with elliptic leaves, two 

 to three inches long, and cymes many-flowered. (2.) P. Edgerleyi, with oblong leaves 

 three-quarters of an inch in length, and racemes many-flowered. (3.) P. phylicifolia, 

 with linear leaves one-quarter to half an inch long, and cymes few-flowei'ed. (4.) P. 

 Tainui, with elliptic oblong leaves, obtuse at both ends, and cymes many-flowered. 



1. POMADERRIS ELLIPTICA {Labi 1 1). The Elliptic-leaved Pomaderris. 



Specific Character. — A braiu-hing shrub or sinall ti-ee, 

 covered, except on the upper surface of tlie leaf, with stelh»tL\ 

 white or grej down. Leaves, 2-3 in. long, elliptic-oblong, 

 obtuse at both ends, or acute at the tip, quite entire, white 



below; petioles, ;' in. long. Cjmes terminal, much-branched, 

 very many flowered, 2-(> in. diani. Flowers fragrant. Calyx 

 tomentose, and covered with silky hairs. Petals with crisped 

 margins. — Bandhook of ihe New Zealand Flora, p. 43. 



Description, etc., Plate No. 20.— The " KUMARAHOU."— This fragrant shrub is 

 indigenous to the Northern Island only. It is abvmdant on the dry hills towards the 

 north of Auckland, particularly in certain portions of the Bay of Islands District. It 

 was first discovered by Banks and Solander, the botanists who accompanied Captain Cook 

 on his Wsit to these Islands in 17G9. Its presence is rather a sure indication of a poor 

 and sterile soil. Nevertheless, when the hill-sides are adorned with the rich golden 

 blossoms of the " Kumarahou," in the month of October, the scene is a lovely spectacle. 

 The handsome and variegated foliage, mixed with the old gold-coloured masses of 

 blossoms, presenting a most tasteful and charming combination. This same plant is 

 common in many parts of temperate Eastern Australia, and Tasmania. It is generally 

 believed that the Kumarahou cannot be grown successfully in rich or generous soil, but 

 experiments in that direction have proA'ed to the contrary. In fact, under libei-al treat- 

 ment the plant has been found to show a marked improvement both in flower and in 

 foliage. To those of our readers who are fond of a handsome shrub we would strongly 

 advise them to introduce this beautiful Pomaderris into cultivation, as it will well repay 

 for the trouble. As faithfully as we have portrayed the plant, there still remains a 

 beauty untouched, which the skill of the artist's pencil and the finest combinations of 

 colour fail to efl'ect. 



