264 
The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. 
[Nov. 
All the published information regarding Logania dejpressa is included in 
T. F. Cheeseman’s Manual of the New Zealand Flora , page 443. Recently, 
however, Mr. B. C. Aston received, through the courtesy of Sir David Prain, 
Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a photograph of the only 
known specimens, which are preserved in the Kew Herbarium, together with 
a copy of Sir J. D. Hooker’s drawing of the flowers. These are reproduced 
herewith, and the opportunity is availed of to bring together all that is 
known of the plant. 
The Rev. W. Colenso, to whom we are indebted for so many discoveries 
during the early history of botanical investigation in New Zealand, found 
Logania dejpressa on his second 
crossing of the Ruahine Moun¬ 
tains, in 1847. After journeying 
from Napier to Taupo by way 
of Pohue, he, with a few Maori 
companions, travelled south, 
crossed Te Onetapu Desert, and 
then turned south - eastwards 
down the valley of the Moa- 
whango. This river and the 
Rangitikei were crossed before 
the steep ascent of the range 
commenced. The actual point 
of crossing the mountains was 
the peak Te Atua - o - mahuru, 
from which he descended to the 
valley of the Waipawa. 
After crossing Te Onetapu 
Desert and before reaching the 
Moawhango River Colenso re¬ 
cords the discovery of Logania 
dejpressa in the following words: 
“ 22nd [February, 1847]. Un¬ 
fortunately, however, the ice on 
the many pools and streamlets 
we had to cross after gaining 
the brow of the hill was not 
thick enough to bear one’s 
weight, and so we were obliged 
to go through it. Crash ! souse ! into the cold water, of which my poor 
companions with their naked feet loudly complained. Here, in one of 
these watery hollows, and partly submerged (owing, no doubt, to the late 
rains) grew a little shrubby plant which I had not seen before, and never 
again found ; I knew it to be allied to our Geniostoma, and it has proved 
to be a species of Logania (L. dejpressa). It cost me a good wetting and 
cold shivering to get specimens.* 
As far as can be gathered from Colenso’s account the locality would 
be south of the Kaimanawa Mountains and to the west of the Moawhango 
Fig. 1. —Logania depressa Hk. f. Photograph 
of type in the Herbarium, Royal Botanic 
Gardens, Kew. x|. 
* W. Colenso, An Account of Visits to, and Crossing over, the Ruahine Mountain 
Range, p. 43, Napier, 1884. 
