298 
Memoranda of an Excursion 
a little further on, I detected a new species of Mira 
(another new genus of A. Cunn.’s), a small graceful tree 
bearing elegant blossoms.* The wood, of the different 
species of this genus, is very hard, dark, and heavy, 
and is used by the natives in making walking-staffs, 
spears, and, in former times, implements of war. The 
native name, Maire (whence the generic appellation), is 
proverbially applied, when speaking of any obstinate 
determined person. A new species of Coprosma, + I 
also detected in these woods; a slender shrub with long 
drooping filiform branches. Proceeding on, through 
the forests, I discovered two, if not three, small aro¬ 
matic trees of a genus evidently belonging to the 
Natural Order Winteracece; one of which, a handsome 
tree, had large obovate shining leaves. A species of 
the same genus I had before detected in the humid 
forests on the mountains near Waikare Lake. A fine 
and handsome species of ? Myrsine; an elegant tree, 
20-35 feet high, with a full branched head, long linear 
leaves, and straight and smooth bark; often found on 
the skirts of woods in dry hilly situations. A dwarf spe¬ 
cies of the Melicytus genus; J a small tree, 6-7 feet high, 
apparently an intermediate .species between M. rami - 
fiorus , Forst.j and M.macrophyllus , A. Cunn . A curious 
parasitical black Fungus, banging suspended like a 
black ball of fine silk by a thread of the same texture 
* Mira undulata (MS-S., W. Ctned), foliis oboyato-oblongis, 
acuminatis undulatis integcrrimis. Arbusculis, 12-20 pedalis, et ultra. 
t Coprosma arcuata foliis (parvis) obovato-oblongis sub-spatlni- 
latisve truncatis seu eraarginatis basi attenuatis petiolatis glabris sub- 
fasciculatis, margine incrassatis; ramis valde arcuatis dependentibus, 
ramulis villosis; canlis arbusculus sesquiorgyalibus gracilis. — W . C., 
MSS., ined . 
$ Melicytus collina, W.C., MSS. ined , 1842. 
