198 Essays. 



Ozothamnus. SoiiiG of tlie species Avould be veiy ornamental on garden 

 rock-wort, as tliey are very pretty in their natural state, creeping over 

 stones. 



Puheritaito {Senecio rotundoifoVms) and 8. elceagnifolius are very orna- 

 mental shrub-trees, having large, leathery leaves, covered on the hack with 

 white wool. 



Lilt Family. — Cabbage-tree {Gordyline australis). A beautiful tree, 

 especially when in flower. Trunk 1-3 feet diameter, dividing about 10 feet 

 from the ground into three to four main branches, which fork into lesser ones, 

 each ultimate branch terminating in a large bunch of sword-shaped leaves ; 

 flowers form dense oval masses, 12 inches or more long. The juice of the 

 roots contains a small quantity of sugar, and the whole plant, being fibrous, 

 might be used in the manufacture of paper. 



Cordi/line indivisa. This species has only one head of leaves, which are 

 longer and broader than the last ; found only on the "West Coast of the South 

 Island. 



Flax (Pliormium tenacc), the next in importance of the lily family. 

 The variety most common in Otago is a large-leaved plant, on rich, wet soil, 

 but probably inferior on that account as a fibrous material. The tihore, or 

 silky flax, cultivated in the North Island by the Maoris, is a finer-leaved 

 variety, and [having long, narrow, rounded and twisted drooping capsules,] 

 might be introduced to Otago if fine silky fibre was essential. The Otago 

 variety would no doubt be valuable in the manufacture of paper or rope. 



Astelia nervosa, A. solandri, and a small swamp species, A. linearis, are 

 found in Otago, but seldom on trees. The [two] former [are] is common on 

 the ground near Dunediu, forming large, flax-like tufta of long linear leaves, 

 with three stout ribs. 



AntJiericum Iwokeri. — Very abundant near Dunedin, in paddocks. Flowers 

 in long yellow spikes ; leaves have a strong odour when bruised. 



The Liane Grroup (climbers) . There are several very ornamental plants 

 in this group belonging to different genera. They are found everywhere, — 

 climbing trees, rambling over rocks, and interweaving shrubs ; sometimes on 

 open ground, t vristing and forming masses of interlaced stems of themselves. 



Clematis. Four species. 



Mubus. One species and several varieties. 



Metrosideros. 4 species.- 



MocJisia. 1 species. 



Farsonsia. 1 species. 



Convolvidus. 2 species. 



MuMenleoJcia. 3 species. 



Wd])ogonuin. 1 species. 



