PITTOSPORUM CRASSIFOLIUM, Banks and Solander. 
THE KARO. 
OrpdER—PIT TOSPORE AE. 
(Plate XIV.) 
Tur karo was discovered during Cook’s first voyage by Banks and Solander, 
who gave it the name by which it is known to systematists. It is a handsome 
evergreen shrub or small tree, rarely more than 3oft. high, with a strict habit of 
erowth, and is only found in littoral situations. 
The bark is black, even in the young branches; the leaves are from 2in. to 
3in. long, very coriaceous, quite entire, deep-green above and whitish. beneath. 
The flowers are chocolate-coloured, carried on short slender stalks, springing 
from a common point, and forming clusters at the tips of the branches. The 
fruit is a pendulous capsule about the size of a small walnut, and consists of 
three or sometimes four valves; the black seeds are embedded in a viscid secre- 
tion. 
The young branchlets, leaf-stalks, peduncles, and fruit are white with 
downy hairs. 
The flowers are developed in September, and the fruit becomes mature the 
following February. 
This species is of very casy cultivation. 
PROPERTIES AND USEs. 
The wood is white and very tough; but so far as [ am aware nothing is 
known as to its durability. It is frequently used for inlaying. It is difficult of 
combustion. In the North Island the tree is of great value for shelter, espe- 
cially in places near the sea, as it resists the flercest gales, and may be seen 
growing in places where it is exposed to the influence of the spray. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE GENUS. 
Pittosporum comprises about fifty species, occurring in India, the Pacific 
Islands, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa. About nine species are found in 
Australia, and sixteen in New Zealand. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES. 
Pittosporun crassifolium is peculiar to New Zealand, and occupies a very 
limited area, being restricted to the coast-line between the North Cape and 
Poverty Bay, but is often very local. It occurs on most of the outlying islands, 
as well as on the islands in the estuary of the Thames. 
r 
; DESCRIPTION. 
Pittosporum erassifolium, Banks and Sol. 
An erect shrub or small tree, 30ft. high; branches strict, ascending ; bark 
black; the young branchlets, leaf-stalks, under-surface of leaves, peduncles, 
sepals, and fruit white with downy hairs. Leaves alternate, 2in. to 3in. long, 
