414 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



Islands, where it forms thickets. It is a plant with large 

 leaves, green on the upper surface, and covered with a white 

 tomentuin helow. The effect of the wind on a forest of such 

 plants has l^een well described by a New Zealand poet (Mr. A. 

 H. Adams). 



" As the leaves to a fiercer gust lean, 

 The wind throws their undersides 



Upwards to sight ; 

 And the foani of the forest-sea flashes to white, 



Out over full fathoms of green." 



0. BucJianaiii appears to be known from one specimen onl}', 

 and comes from an uncertain locality in the North Island. 

 0. Allomii IS a distinct species from Great Barrier Island. 

 0. (oif/tihita has only been reported from the North Cape 

 chstrict. Tliere is considerable reason for believing that this 

 locality was in recent times, — geologically speaking, — an 

 island, and, as such, it appears to have possessed several 

 endemic species in addition to this one, e.g., Cassinia mncena, 

 Haloragis rartilaf/inea, and a Coprosma. Several other 

 species of Olearia are, apparently, very rare. 



This remarkable development of endemic species in the off- 

 islands of New Zealand, undoubtedly suggests that we have m 

 these, new forms originated Ijy isolation. The distribution of 

 the genus, therefore, well illustrates initial endemism, and 

 may be contrasted with such a form as Stilhocarpa polaris 

 (v. p. 801), which illustrates relict endemism. 



Olearia semi-dentata {The Toothed Olearia). 



A small, slender shrub, 1ft. -2 ft. in height. Lea^'cs white helow, thin, 

 lin.-2Jin. long, jin.-iiu. liroad, acute, partially serrate. Heads numerous; 

 ray-flnrets purple. Chatham Islands. Fl. Nov. -Pec. A hog plant. 



Olearia insignis (The lieinarhahle Olearia). 



.A shruh, Ift.-Hft. in lieight. Leaves 3 in. -5 in. long ; 1 in. -4 in. broad, very 

 tlritk, shining above, white liclow. Heads terminal, 3 in. across. Rays narrow. 

 Aohenes silky. Pappus-hairs in one series. The finest species of the genus. 

 South Island : Nelson and Marlborough. Fl. Deo. -Jan. 



