THE ART ALBUM OF NEW ZEALAND FLORA. 



105 



delirium, aud death. Tlie Maoris extracted a good blue-black dye from the bark of the 

 Tutu, which they used effectively in colouring their mats and ornamental baskets. The 

 root of the European species, C. myrtlfolia, is used for tanning purposes. As cultivation 

 spreads throughout the Islands, it is satisfactory to know that the Cor aria is fast 

 disajipearing, though to eradicate it effectually it must be turned up by the roots, which 

 when dry should be burnt off. Simply cutting the plant down will do no good, as it 

 springs up again -ndth increased vigour. 



2. CORIAEIA THYMIFOLIA {Rimih.) The Thyme-leaved Coriaria. 



Specific Chaeactee. — A much smaller annual (?), 

 usually more pubescent jilant than C. ruscifolia^ sometimes 

 only a foot or so high, with small, ovate-lanceolate leaves, 

 shorter racemes and smaller flowers ; large forms of it, how- 



ever, seem to be connected with smaller ones of the former, 

 both in New Zealand and America. — Handbook of the New 

 Zealand Flora, p. 46. 



Description, etc. — This jilant is common in various places throughout the Islands, 

 ascending to 5,000 feet. It is likewise a native of the Kermadec Islands, and South 

 America, where it ranges from Mexico to Peru, at elevations of from 4,000 to 12,000 

 feet. In Otago it is commonly known as the Small Ground Tutvi, and is said to be 

 highly jjoisonous to horses. It derives its specific name from the small Thyme-like 

 appearance of its foKage. 



3. CORIARIA ANGUSTISSIMA {Rook., F.) The Very Narrow-leaved Coriaria. 



Specific Chaeactek. — A small, bright-green annual 

 species, 6-18 in. high, with the habit of C. t/ii/mi/olia ; but the 

 branches are glabrous, very slender, more dense, and the 



leaves are very narrow, linear-lanceolate, or subulate ; 

 long. — Mandbooh of the New Zealand Flora, p. 47. 



Description. — This small species is found on Mount Egmont, and on the top of the 

 Ruahine Mountains, in the Northern Island ; and is abundant in sub-alpine localities 

 from Nelson to Otago. The Editor of the " Eandbook " says that this plant, in his 

 opmion, passes into C. thymifolia, but that all his New Zealand correspondents regard 

 it as a distinct species. It is known in Otago as the Annual Herbaceous Tutu, and may 

 be regarded as poisonous, favouring as it does C. thymifolia in habit, anyhow, it should 

 always be looked upon with suspicion, as belonging to a family of bad repute. 



