IviEK. — Botany of Great Barrier Island. 91 



or two or ttree togetlaer ; capsules small, globose, downy, 2-valved ; valves 

 2-lobed, granulated on both surfaces. 



Allied to P, colensoi by tbe globose capsule and sliort peduncle, whicli 

 are, however, terminal and pubescent ; differing in all other respects. 



Pittosporum [n.s. ?] IcirJcii, H.f., n.s. — A handsome, laxly-branched 

 shrub, 8 to 15 feet high, without flower or fruit, but differing widely in habit 

 and foliage from any described New Zealand species of this genus, was 

 observed at an altitude of 1,600 to 1,800 feet ; branchlets stout, bark red- 

 purple, leaves alternate or whorled, crowded, ascending, narrow, linear- 

 obovate, acute or obtuse, 2 to 5 inches long, gradually narrowed into 

 rather broad purple petioles, excessively coriaceous, pale green on both 

 surfaces, glabrous, with mid-rib stout, and prominent beneath. 



Pittosjjorum crassifoUum, Banks and Sol. — This is a common tree on the 

 coast, with invariably terminal, solitary, decurved peduncles ; and very large 

 fruit with somewhat concave valves. I have seen no other form north of 

 Auckland, except on the Little Barrier Island, where a spreading bush with 

 terminal, umbellate, erect peduncles, appears to be confined to a solitary 

 habitat. This plant bears exposure well, and is worthy of a place in every 

 shrubbery. 



Pittosporum umhellatum, Banks and Sol., var. ? — A small tree, which in 

 the absence of flowers may be referred to this species, is found in the 

 northern part of the island, and may be readily distinguished by its narrow 

 leaves, which are sharply tapered downwards, and by the truly cordate 

 capsules, the valves of which are not lobed. The capsules of P. umhellatum 

 have the valves excessively loled, and produced so as to give a square outline 

 with concave sides. 



Lepidium [?] oleraceuni, var. — A much-branched plant, 1 to 2 feet 

 high, branches and root stock stout, leaves 1 to 2 inches long, narrowed into 

 petioles, fleshy, linear-spathulate, deeply incised at the tips. Flowers 

 numerous, tetrandrous, pods ovate, cordate, keeled at the back, and finely 

 reticulate. 



Leptospermum ericoides, A. Bich, var. puhescens. — A prostrate or sub- 

 erect shrub, sometimes 3 feet high, at others appressed to the rock, like 

 an alpine plant ; leaves more or less pubescent and ciliated ; flowers fra- 

 grant, produced in immense profusion, sometimes concealing the leaves ; 

 pedicels and calyx downy. This would make a valuable bedding plant for 

 the culturist. It was originally observed on the island by the late Dr. 

 Sinclair, but I am not aware of its occurrence elsewhere. 



Metrosideros ? — ^A striking plant belonging to this genus, but with- 

 out flower or fruit, occurs in the central parts of the island, usually a small 

 bush, not exceeding 20 feet in height, with straight ascending branches, and 



