508 Transactions.— Botany. 
are now found on the island. Kauri ( Dammara australis )—this valuable 
pine, with the last, is confined to the higher palæozoic rocks. Pukatea 
( Atherosperma nove zealandie ), always known by its large buttressed trunk, 
and Tangeo ( Tetranthera calicaris ), of which only one specimen was seen. 
As the visitor on leaving the island recedes from Moana Bay by steamer, 
the extreme beauty of the landscape, as its features change by distance, is 
very pleasing. ‘There is seen to great advantage that scientific combina- 
tion of nature and art, which is ever the aim of the landscape gardener. 
The object often necessary as a principle of this science being architecture, 
we have here in the middle distance Sir George Grey's residence at the 
head of the bay, surrounded by rare and beautiful trees and shrubs, many 
of them sub-tropical. On the lawn may be seen Erythrina caffra, the coral 
tree, covered with brilliant scarlet flowers ; Fourcroyia gigantea, a plant of 
the Amaryllis family, with remarkable flowers. This tree produces a fine 
fibre, and grows well without any cultivation on the worst clay hills. Four- 
eroyia flavavirides, another fine fibre plant ; Chamaerops excelsa, a palm tree 
also producing a fine fibre, and Chaemaerops fortunii, Behmeria nivea, another 
fine fibre tree belonging to the nettle family ; Musa teatilis, the Banana 
fibre tree from which the manilla fibre of commerce is procured; as also 
Musa sapientum, the fruit Banana, which yearly ripens fruit here; Brous- 
onetia papyrifera, from which a kind of paper is made in Japan; Punica 
granatum, the pomegranate ; Olea europea, the Olive ; a tree likely to become 
important in the North Island, from the oil product of its fruit as a com- 
mercial export; all the finest varieties of this valuable species are culti- 
vated here. Arduina grandiflora, the Natal Plum, worthy of cultivation for 
its fruit; Ficus carica, the Fig tree, and several other species of this family ; 
Anona muricata, the Custard Apple; Ceratonia siliqua, St. John’s Bread 
tree ; Eriobotrya japonica, the Loquat tree, which bears abundantly ; Zin- 
giber officinalis, Ginger, several species of this family ; Stilingia sebifera, the 
Tallow tree, from which the Japanese manufacture candles. This plant, 
one of the Euphorbia family, succeeds well here. Quercus suber, the Cork 
tree, is represented by several large specimens; this tree is worthy of 
attention by the Forests Department. Several curious species of Japanese 
Oaks; groves of Aralia papyrifera, the Paper tree ; Xanthorea hastilis, the 
curious Grass-tree of Australia; numerous species of Bamboos, including 
the gigantic Bamboo. These bamboos form good shelter hedges. When 
to this list are added Cinnamon, Camphor, Orange, Lemon, and Citron 
trees, sufficient proof is given of the existence of a remarkably mild climate. 
It is Sir George Grey’s opinion, that many of these valuable commercial 
plants are well adapted for the climate of Wanganui, and he is now making 
arrangements to send several young plants there as a trial. 
