36 PSEUDOPANAX FEROX. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES. 
Pseudopanax ferox is restricted to New Zealand, and, although extending 
over a considerable area, is decidedly rare. In the North Island the only habitat 
known to me is the Kauaeoruruwahine Forest, where I observed a few speci- 
mens in 1885. In the South Island it was observed by Sir James Hector and 
myself at the Wairoa, Nelson, in 1873, and subsequently by myself at the Lower 
Moutere, the junction of the Matukituki with the Buller, and one or two other 
localities in that district; also at Lake Forsyth, Canterbury. Stated by Mr. 
Buchanan to occur at Anderson’s Bay and other localities near Dunedin. 
Ascends from sea-level to 7ooft. 
PROPERTIES AND UsgEs, 
The wood of this tree is of a dull-brown colour, and might be employed by 
the cabinetmaker for special purposes. It appears to have been used conjointly 
with an allied species, P. crassifolium, for jetty-piles at Dunedin, but no attempt 
was made to discriminate between the two trees. The results were satisfactory 
with regard to both. When newly felled the wood has a strong and most 
unpleasant odour. 
The mid-ribs of the linear leaves are of great strength and toughness ; they 
are used by forest settlers as bootlaces, and for mending bridles, harness, &c. 
This species is suitable for planting in shrubberies and ornamental planta- 
tions, where its singular habit of growth will always arrest attention. It is not 
known what period is required for it to attain the flowering condition, but a 
specimen planted in the North-East Valley, Dunedin, by Mr. J. Buchanan, 
P.L.S., in 1856, had not attained toft. in height in 1876, and at present 
(January, 1888) exhibits no appearance of the mature leaves. 
It is easily propagated by seeds. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Pseudopanax ferox, T. Kirk. 
Panax ferox, IT. Wirk, Trans. N.Z. Inst., x., appendix, p. xxxiy, 
Panax crasstfolium, J. Buchanan (not of Decaisne and Planchon), Trans. 
N.Z. Inst., 1.,-p. 5209, pl. xx. 
A small dicecious tree, 2oft. to 30ft. high; leaves of two kinds, simple in all 
stages : on young plants, linear, 12in. to 18in. long, on short petioles, deflexed, 
rigid and coriaceous, slightly expanded at the tips, irregularly lobulate-dentate ; 
teeth acute, hooked: on mature trees 3in. to sin. long, Hin. to gin. broad, 
linear-obovate, apiculate, excessively thick and coriaceous, eradually narrowed to 
the base, forming a short petiole. Flowers in terminal umbels, pedicelled; 
male umbels of from six to ten simple racemes, petals four, stamens four; 
female umbel compact of six to nine one- to three-flowered rays about tin. 
long; styles five, connate into a column, tips scarcely recurved. Fruit ovoid, 
five-celled, glaucous. . 
EXPLANATION orf Piatres XXIII., XXIV . XXV., AND XXVI. 
XXIII. Pseudopanax ferox, T. Kirk. Young tree with deflexed leaves, 
ereatly reduced. 
XXIV. Pseudopanax ferox, T. Kirk. a. Apex of young tree, deflexed leaves, 
three-fourths natural size. 3B. Seedling plant, natural size. 
XXV. Pseudopanax ferox, T. Kirk. Male flowers, natural size. 
XXVI. Pseudopanax ferox, T. Kirk. Fruiting specimen, natural size. 
I. Fruit. 2. Longitudinal section. 3. Transverse section. 
