87 



the district became worked nj^- The peculiar features of the botany of 

 the district were stated, and short notes on the subject of phint variation 

 were added. 



Some discussion ensued, more especially with regard to the causes of 

 plant variation in the North. 



Captain Hutton remarked that the flora of New Zeahind furnished 

 many instances of phant variation of a remarkable character, and drew 

 attention to the importance of ascei-taining the causes and conditions 

 thereof, on account of the important bearing of the subject with regard 

 to other branches of science. He had been much struck with Mr. Kirk's 

 remarks on the variations of Veronica diosmcefolia, and would be glad to 

 know if he could give any information as to the causes of the great 

 amount of vaiiation exhibited by this genus in New Zealand, as con- 

 trasted with the limited variation to which it was liable in the Northern 

 Hemisphere. 



Mr. Gillies enquired if the statement made by the writer that 

 Ve7yn{ca diosmcefolia was confined to the district north of Whangarei was 

 correct, as he had received a plant from the South Island which he could 

 not distinguish from the northern form. He stated, with regard to 

 Veronica sj^eciosa, that when growing on the sea cliffs at Hokianga it 

 produced crimson flowers, and was called by the natives " Koromiko- 

 pohutukawa," but when removed to the garden the flowers were pro- 

 duced of a deep purple. He had removed some plants which produced 

 purple flowers, from the border in which they grew, and planted them in 

 light scoria soil, when the flowers reverted to the native crimson colour. 



Ml". Kirk referred to analogous changes in the colours of the flowers 

 of various plants, produced by a change of soil ; the cause in great part 

 appeared to be chemical. Veronica diosmcefolia had not been discovered 

 in any other part of the colony ; the plant referred to by Mr. Gillies 

 was probably a form of V. Colensoi. With regard to the vaiiation so 

 largely exhibited by this genus in the colony, he thought the species 

 might be roughly divided into four principal groups : — 1. The large 

 shrubby species from V. speciosa to V. ligustrifolia, all of which, with 

 the exception of V. Dieffenhachii, wei-e found in more or less profusion 

 in this province. The variation in this group was in the majority of 

 cases easily defined, and must be attribiited mainly to the nature of the 

 habitat as to soil, shelter, etc. 2. The usimlly sub-alpine and alpine 

 shrubby species, from V. Traversii to V. Buchanani. 3. The singular 

 group with depaiiperated or serrated leaves, chiefly sub-alpine or alpine, 

 from V. tetragona to V. Benthami ; and 4. Herbaceous species, analogous 



