Haultain. — On the Groivth of Phormiiini tenax. 357 



C. Yiew of column and lip, showing the position taken by the lip when 

 touched. 



D. Front view of the upper part of the column, with the appendages cut 

 OiF, so as to show the rostellum, and pollinia loose in their anther-cells. 



E. Single pollinium removed from the anther^ 



a., anther ; c, column ; I., lip ; p.. pollinia ; r., rostellum ; s., stigma. 

 A. and B. natural size ; C D. and E. magnified. 



Art. XLYIII. — On the Growth of Phormium tenax. 

 By the Hon. Col. Haultain. 



[Read he/ore the Auckland Institute, 24.tli June, 1872,] 



The growth of the Phovniium plant, the period of its decay, the increase of its 

 oj9f-shoots, and more particularly the rate at which the leaves are produced, 

 and the time required to bring them to maturity, are questions of great 

 importance to those interested in the manufacture of the fibre. 



The attention of the Flax Commissioners, when making their inquiries last 

 year, was directed to these points ; the mode of growth, and its increase 

 under cultivation, were ascertained with some approach to accuracy, and are 

 stated in the pages of their report f but as that report has not yet been 

 generally circulated (though I am glad to say that it has just been reprinted 

 with the latest information that can be obtained), and as I have procured 

 specimens to illustrate what they have noted, I will repeat the substance of 

 their observations. 



The plant when full grown consists ordinarily of a rhizome or prostrate 

 stem, from the under side of which numerous fibrous rootlets strike into the 

 ground, and from the extreme end a number of leaves proceed in succession, 

 decaying and falling ofi* after arriving at maturity. At a certain period a flower 

 stem shoots up from the apex, after which the whole of the leaves and their 

 rhizome having completed their functions die away ; but every year various 

 fresh side shoots have started from the main rhizome, forming separate fans 

 with roots and leaves, receiving at first nourishment from the parent stem, 

 and gradually becoming independent plants, producing further shoots, and 

 dying away after perfecting flower and seed. In dry, hard ground the rhizome 

 is but imperfectly developed, and amongst sand-hills it becomes a vertical 

 stem several feet in length, seeking its nourishment at that depth where 

 abundant moisture is to be found. 



* App. to Journ. H. of K, 1871, G. No. 4. 



