368 Transactions. — Botany. 



shade, the leaves are often frorn 14-16 inches long, of a deep glossy 

 green ; hut in situations of this kind it rarely developes flowers. In ex- 

 posed situations the leaves are much torn hy the wind. 



The fruiting pericarp is remarkable for its viscidity, which is usually 

 retained for a considerable period after the fruit is fully matured. This 

 renders it difficult to press fruiting specimens for the herbarium, as they 

 adhere to the drying papers with remarkable tenacity. It can be readily 

 imagined that small birds tempted to feed on the seeds might easily become 

 glued to a cluster of fruits. 



The Puka. 

 Meryta sinclairii, Seem. 



(Botryodendmm sinclairii, Hook, f.) 



This rare plant was originally discovered by Mr. Colenso, who found a 

 solitary specimen planted by the natives at the head of Whangururu Bay. 

 Mr. William Mair with great trouble procured leaves from this plant, which 

 he sent to the late Dr. Sinclair, who forwarded them to Kew, and the plant 

 was described as Botryodendrum sinclairii from these leaves alone. The 

 natives had strictly tapued the tree, and resented the removal of leaves to 

 such an extent that the tree was cut down by them. 



The first specimens observed by Europeans in a wild state were found 

 by the writer on the Taranga Islands" in the early part of 1869. Only 

 eight plants were found, and as it has not been discovered elsewhere it 

 must be considered one of the rarest plants known. 



Although at best but a small tree, rarely more than 20 feet high, and 

 frequently much less, it produces by far the largest leaves of any New Zea- 

 land plant. Some of the leaves measured from the base of the petiole to 

 the tip of the blade fully 30 inches by 10 in breadth, the petiole being from 

 8-12 inches in length. Notwithstanding the large size of the leaf, the 

 blade is never torn by the wind, owing to the stout marginal nerve by 

 which it is strengthened. 



The plant is not in any way viscid, so that birds could not possibly 

 become adherent either to the leaves or fruit. When the branches are 

 wounded a peculiar resin is exuded, but not in large quantities. 



The plant was introduced into Auckland gardens by means of cuttings 

 which required considerable care and attention before they developed roots. 

 Since then ripe seeds have been obtained, so that notwithstanding its ex- 

 treme rarity the plant is not likely to be lost. 



* See Trans. N.Z. Inst., ii., p. 100. 



