246 Transactions. — Botany. 



of a faint i-ed tinge with yellowish discolorations on each side ; lateral veins 

 distinct, but not prominent. 



The large panicle was not simply drooping, but pendulous, the rhachis 

 being sharply recurved, so that it grew downwards parallel with the trunk, 

 with which the panicle was in close contact for the greater part of its length. 

 It developed nearly 200 branches, and, on a low comjDutation, must have 

 borne fully 10,000 flowers. 



Mr. Colenso has always contended for the specific distinctness of the North 

 Island plant, and in this has been supported by Dr. Hector and Mr. Buchanan, 

 the latter, I believe, being the only botanist who has had an opportunity of 

 examining Forster's G. indivisa from Dusky Bay and the present plant from 

 Mount Egmont in a living state, although unfortunately not in. a flowering 

 condition. 



The New Zealand Cordylines comj)rise several dubious forms, respecting 

 which fuller information is desirable. One of these exhibits a small, arboreous 

 stem 2 inches or more in diameter, 2-5 feeb high, narrow drooping leaves 

 4-5 feet long, and large, sparingly-branched, drooping panicles 5 feet long, 

 with comparatively few flowers. A fine example of this elegant form was 

 formerly to be seen near the Ponsonby Road, Auckland ; and I believe a plant 

 found by Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Robert Mair, at Whangarei, to be identical. 

 Its affinities are evidently with G. pumilio. The form cultivated by the 

 Upper Wanganui natives* — so far as an opinion can be formed from the foliage 

 of young plants only — is closely related to G. australis, but I believe the 

 flowers are unknown. The fine plant found on the Bimutaka Ranges — the 

 " Bimutaka flax" of the settlers — combines to some extent the characters of 

 C. banksii and G. hookeri. Another singular but elegant form, which appears 

 intermediate between G. australis and G. banksii, occurs on the Kawau ; 

 lastly, a blue-flowered form has been discovei-ed by Mr. Robert Mair at 

 Whangarei, and by Dr. Hector in other localities, but I have been unable to 

 obtain specimens. 



G. hookeri is in general cultivation in Europe under the name of G. indivisa, 

 but the true G. indivisa has not yet been brought under cultivation. 



* Native name, Ti-tawliiti. — Ed, 



