118 MELICOPR TERNATA. 
Mr. J. Buchanan, F.L.S., was the first to draw attention to these inter- 
mediate forms, which he described as a separate species under the name of 
M. Mantellii, and in his excellent description* stated that he found it associated 
with Af. fernata and M. simplex, which is in itself significant. I have never seen 
this form except in situations where these species are found growing, or in their 
immediate vicinity. It therefore appears preferable to regard it as a variety of 
M. ternata, with which it agrees in the usually compound leaves with petioles 
channelled above, in the rather large flowers carried on short stout pedicels, in 
the broad sepals and petals, and especially in the stamens being subulate and 
shorter than the petals, in the conical ovary, and in the length of the style. On 
the other hand, it approaches M. simplex in the shape of the leaflets, in their 
margins being more or less crenate, and in the leaflets being jointed to the 
petioles, as well as in the small cymes, which are usually composed of from three 
to six flowers, and in the ovary being slightly silky. The fruits do not differ from 
those of M. ternata. 
Although hybridization appears sufficient to account for the peculiarities 
exhibited by this form, it may be argued with great plausibility that the variation 
to which it is hable affords some proof that it 1s the product of a gradual transi- 
tion from M, ternata to M. simplex, and that the latter plant may be looked upon 
as a ‘‘degraded”’ form of M. ternata—a view which receives support from the 
curious fact that in the young state M. simplex invariably develops trifoliolate 
leaves, which become unifoliolate in a few months. 
PROPERTIES AND UsEs. 
The wood is white, turning to a pale-brown when dry, frequently with a 
satiny lustre, which has led to its being utilised by the cabinetmaker for inlaying. 
It is straight-grained, strong, tough, and elastic, but its durability is uncertain. 
It affords excellent firewood. 
The trunk of the variety Manfelliz sometimes exceeds a foot in diameter. — 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE GENUS. 
Melicope contains about fifteen species, chiefly distributed through the 
islands of the Pacific. Three species are found in Australia, and two in New 
Zealand. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES. 
Melicope ternata is restricted to New Zealand : it is plentiful in the Kermadec 
Islands, and at low levels through the North [sland to Cape Palliser and Cook 
Strait. 
In the South Island it appears to be restricted to the Districts of Marl- 
borough and Nelson, but is confined to the coast: in Nelson it is only found 
on D’Urville Island. 
It is chiefly found on the margins of woods, thickets, &c., and in sheltered 
rocky situations. Although most frequent at sea-level it ascends to 80oft. or 
1,000ft. in the North. 
The variety Mantellii has been observed in various localities between 
Mongonui and Wellington. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Melicope ternata, Forster. 
Hook., ‘‘ Icones Plantarum,”’ t. 603. 
A shrub or small evergreen tree, toft. to 2oft. high, glabrous in all its parts. 
Leaves opposite, dotted with oil-glands, trifoliolate, leaflets longer than the 
—_———* 
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* Trans. N.Z, Inst., Vol. 111., p. 212. 
