48 OLEARIA TRAVERSI. 
It has, however, come into general cultivation as an ornamental tree, and 
flourishes in all parts of the colony: its power of resisting wind renders it of 
great value where shelter is required, especially in places near the sea, as but 
few trees are able to stand against the force of gales laden with saline matter. 
It was introduced into cultivation by Mr. Seed, late Commissioner of 
Customs, who brought living plants to Wellington in 1861. 
DisTRIBUTION OF THE GENUS. 
Olearia as now constituted comprises about ninety-five species, of which 
nearly seventy are peculiar to Australia, and twenty-five to New Zealand. Of 
the latter, one is restricted to the Great Barrier Island, three others to the North 
Island, seven to the South Island, one to Stewart Island, two to Chatham 
Islands, one to Stewart and Auckland Islands. The genus is absolutely 
restricted to Australia and New Zealand, although not a single species is com- 
mon to both countries. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES. 
Olearia Traversii is restricted to the Chatham Islands. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Olearia Traversii, F. Mueller. Hooker f., ‘‘ Handbook of the N.Z. 
Plots (para 
Eurybia Traversii, F. Mueller, “‘ Vegetation of the Chatham Islands,” 
Ee 1G, All. 
A small tree 30ft. high or more; trunk aft. to 3ft. in diameter; bark greyish- 
brown, furrowed. Branchlets opposite, tetragonous, clothed with white down. 
Leaves petioled, opposite, coriaceous, 2in. to 3in. long, narrowed into a short 
petiole below, white with close down beneath, oblong or ovate, acute or 
apiculate. Flowers in much-branched panicles, rin. to 3in. long, springing from 
the axils of the leaves. Heads small, numerous; involucral leaves in two 
series, narrow-linear, white with appressed down. Outer florets oblique at the 
mouth, ray not produced ; disc-florets perfect, corolla five-lobed; arms of the 
stigma very small. Achene faintly striated, hairy; pappus brown. 
EXPLANATION OF PLATE XXXIV. 
Olearia Traverstt, F. Mueller. 1. Flowering specimen, natural size. 2. Flower- 
head. 3. Involucre. 4. Perfect floret. 5. Outer floret. 6. The same with the 
pappus removed. All magnified. 
