THE ART ALBUM OF NEW ZEALAND FLORA. 115 



Island. It is alluded to by Sir J. J). Hooker, the illustrious botanist, and compiler of 

 the "Handbook," as one of the most beautiful plants known. It has been asserted by 

 some, that it is not indigenous to New Zealand, but there is nothing to warrant such a 

 statement, in fact, the known history of the i)lant tends to oppose such a theory. 

 Admitting that it is not found growing in a wild state in various parts of the country 

 discloses nothing, inasmuch as there are many other New Zealand plants which were 

 originally confined to one sj)ecial area ; the Clianthus being one amongst that number 

 The plant was first seen by Banks and Solander, the distinguished naturalists, when they 

 accompanied Captain Cook on his voyage to New Zealand in 170!). Specimens were at 

 that time taken to England by these gentlemen, and the plant was named Clianthus 

 puniceus by Dr. Solander, who established its genus. It is supposed that the specimens 

 were collected at some place on the East Coast, north of Tologa Bay, in which district it 

 has long been known to exist in a semi-wild state. Mr. Colenso, E.L.S., who arrived in 

 New Zealand in 1834, and landed at the Bay of Islands, states tliat he saw, for the first 

 time, this fine jjlant in bloom, growing in the gardens of the missionaries. He further 

 says that he saw it growing wild, or naturally, on some islets at the entrance of the 

 Keri-Keri River, Bay of Islands. At the same time he admits that he never, in all his 

 travels in the North, met with it elsewhere growing in a wild state. He afterwards saw 

 it in 1838 up to 1843, at various Maori villages on the East Coast, south of Hick's Bay. 

 These facts should prove to us that this si)ecies is indeed indigenous, though extremely 

 local. In further support of this testimony, the plant is unknown to botanists as 

 indigenous to any other part of the globe, and has, from theii- first knowledge of it, l)een 

 referred to New Zealand. Like many other plants which were esteemed for their 

 economic value the " Kowhai-ngutu-kaka " appears to have been held in appreciation by 

 the Maoris, who took a pleasure in protecting and cultivating it for the sake of its 

 beauty. In this manner it has been disseuaiiiated, and preserved from extinction. To 

 this day straggling plants may be seen around the sites of old Native pahs on the East 

 Coast and away inland, though the time is not far distant when this beavitiful species, 

 whicli cannot stand the ravages of cattle, will alone be found in cultivation. C. pioiiceiis 

 was first introduced into England for cultivation in 1831, and fetched a ready sale at 

 five pounds each plant. It is now often to be met with there in greenhouses, or on open 

 walls with a southern aspect, where it flowers freely if protected in winter, and is much 

 prized for its great Ijeauty. The plant may Ije grown from cuttings, or seed, the latter is 

 preferal)le, and blossoms in its second year, during the months of September or October. 

 It sometimes attains a lieight of five or six feet, and has a somewhat straggling habit. 

 Should the branches be cut or trimmed towards the approach of the winter season, the 

 exposure of the sap to frost will most probably kill the plant. Cattle or horses nibbling 



