804 Transactions.— Botany. 
plates often projecting from one to two inches beyond the sound portion of 
the trunk, and exhibiting thin, rounded, weather-worn edges, but perfectly 
sound, and extremely hard. They vary from 4 to i inch in thickness 
at the base, and may be easily broken off by a sharp blow with a hammer. 
Unripe trees do not exhibit this peculiarity. 
The remarkable difference in the pubescence of the leaf at different 
stages of growth has not received the attention it deserves. In the young 
state the leaves are nearly membranous, and perfectly glabrous. In ex- 
posed mature specimens the under surface of the leaves is clothed with a 
layer of closely appressed hairs; but it is quite a common occurrence to find 
trees thirty feet high or more with leaves destitute of this hairy covering 
when growing under the shelter of taller trees. These hairs are unques- 
tionably adapted to prevent undue evaporation and injury from sudden 
variations in temperature. Accordingly we only find them developed on 
leaves fully exposed to the sun and air, whether on young trees or old.’ 
They are never developed on seedling plants, or on branches growing under 
the shade of taller trees. The series of specimens now exhibited will be found 
very instructive on this head. 
This species appears to attain its northern limit at the East Cape, where 
it forms a small tree 20 to 80 feet in height. It is plentiful on the lower 
slopes of the Ruahine, Tararua, and Rimutaka Mountains, in the North 
Island, and widely distributed in the South Island, but does not appear to 
extend to Foveaux Straits. It descends to the sea-level at Lowry Bay and 
other places, but appears to be replaced by the mountain beech, which is 
often mistaken for it. At altitudes above 2,800 feet, with some few ex- 
ceptions. 
Specimens 100 feet high were observed by Mr. Bidwill at Waiwetu, near 
Wellington. 
Fagus cliffortioides, Hook. f. 
Hook. Ie. PL, t, 673. - 
Mountain Beech. 
Black Birch of portions of Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, I Southland. 
White Birch of Nelson, and in part of Otago and Southlan 
Rarely distinguished by the woodman from Entire-leaved RU 
The mountain beech bears a close resemblance to the entire-leaved beech 
in general appearance, although it never attains the extreme dimensions of 
that species. The leaves are pointed at the apex and rounded or cordate at 
the base, so that there is but little difficulty in distinguishing the two 
kinds. 
In the North Island it is confined to the mountain ranges, and appears 
to attain its northern limit at Lake Waikare on the East Cape. It is most 
