L. Doniana, Endl. Syn. Conif. 43.—A tall forest-tree 30 to 70 ft. high or more, with a narrow tapering head; trunk 2–4 ft. diam.; bark stringy, falling off in long ribbons. Branchlets distichous; of young trees vertical, much flattened and compressed, ⅕–¼ in. broad; of old trees horizontal, less compressed, but not obviously tetragonous, 1/10–⅛ in. broad. Leaves quadrifarious, the lateral larger, especially on young trees, where they are often ⅕in. long, sheathing and connate at the base, spreading, acute; those on the upper and lower faces of the branchlets 1/25–1–12 in. long, triangular, appressed to the branch. Male flowers about ¼ in. long, hardly broader than the branch; anthers 8–12; connective thin, ovate, subpeltate. Female cones ovoid, about ½ in. long, woody; scales 4, spreading, each with a sharp curved spine at the back. Seeds 2 to each cone.— Hanab. N.Z. Fl. 256; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 82. Thuya Doniana, Hook, in Lond. Journ. Bot. i. (1842) 571; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 231. Dacrydium plumosum, D. Don. in Lamb. Pin. ed. ii. App. 143; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 330.

North Island: In forests from Mongonui southwards to Hawke's Bay and Taranaki, but often rare and local. Sea-level to 2000 ft. Kawaka; New Zealand Arbor-vita.

Wood dark-red, beautifully grained, said to be durable, but on account of its scarcity little used. Very young seedlings have narrow linear-subulate leaves spreading on all sides, but these soon pass into the quadrifarious stage.

L. Bidwillii, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 257.—Very similar to L. Doniana, but usually smaller, seldom more than 50 ft. high, with a trunk 1½—3 ft. diam., in subalpine or cool peaty localities often reduced to a fastigiate bush or small tree 10–20 ft. high. Branchlets of young trees closely resembling those of L. Doniana, but rather narrower; of mature trees tecragonous, 1/15–1/12 in. diam., densely clothed with almost uniform triangular acute closely appressed leaves. Female cones like those of L. Doniana, but smaller, ¼–⅓ in. long.—Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 83.

North and South Islands: From Te Aroha Mountain and Mount Egmont southwards to Foveaux Strait, not uncommon in hilly or mountain forests. 800–4000 ft. Pahautea; Cedar.

Often confounded with the previous species, but the obviously tetragonous branchlets of the mature tree, with almost uniform leaves, are characteristic and readily distinguish it. Wood soft, red, straight in the grain, easily split, and •apparently of great durability, but of low specific gravity and somewhat brittle.

P. Totara, D. Don. in Lamb. Pin. ed. ii. (1832) 189. — A lofty forest-tree 40–80 ft. or even 100 ft. high; trunk 2–6 ft. diam.; bark thick, furrowed, stringy and papery, capable of removal in large sheets. Leaves dull brownish-green, spreading on all sides or obscurely distichous, ½–1 in. long, linear, straight or slightly falcate, acute, pungent, rigid and coriaceous, midrib obscure. Flowers diœcious. Males ½–¾ in. long, stout, obtuse, axillary, solitary or 2–3 together at the top of a very short stout peduncle or almost sessile; each flower with 4 bracts at the base. Anthers numerous, crowded; connective toothed at the tip. Female flowers axillary, solitary or geminate at the top of a short swollen peduncle. Fruit ovoid-oblong, rounded at the tip; peduncle usually much enlarged, red, succulent; but occasionally dry and shrivelled.—A. Cunn. Precur. n. 328; Raoul, Choice, 41; Hook, in Lond. Journ. Pot. i. 572, t. 19; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 233; Eandb. N.Z. Fl. 258; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 115. Pilger, Pflanzenreich, iv. 5, 84. P. Bidwillii, Hoibrenk ex Endl. Conif. 213. P. Cunninghamii, Col. Visit to Ruahine Range, 58.

North and South Island: Common in forests from the North Cape to the south-east of Otago. Sea-level to 2000 ft. Totara.

A magnificent tree, scarcely less valuable than the kauri; but, unlike it, generally distributed throughout the colony. Wood red, straight - grained, compact, extremely durable, much used for all kinds of building purposes and constructive works. From its power of resisting the attacks of the teredo it is particularly valuable for the piles of wharves, &c. The huge war-canoes of the Maoris, which were often over 80 ft. in length, were carved from the trunks of totara-trees, and it was also the favourite timber for their carved houses.

P. Hallii, T. Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 9, 9a. —Very closely allied to P. Totara, and perhaps a mere variety, but smaller, 25–60 ft. high; trunk rarely exceeding 3 ft. diam.; bark thin, papery; page 649branches of young trees weak, slender. Leaves of young plants usually distichous, spreading, 1–1½-in. long, narrow linear-lanceolate; of mature trees inserted all round the branches, close-set, ¾-l in. long, linear or linear-lanceolate, acute, pungent, rigid and coriaceous, midrib somewhat prominent beneath. Flowers diœcious. Male flowers as in P. Totara, but usually solitary and distinctly peduncled. Female flowers frequently geminate on the short peduncle. Fruit narrow-ovoid, pointed; peduncle usually enlarged and succulent.—P. Totara var. Hallii, Pilger, Pflanzenreich, iv. 5, 84.

North and South Islands, Stewart Island: In forests from Kaitaia and Mongonui southwards, not uncommon. Sea-level to 3500 ft.

I am very doubtful as to this being more than a variety of P. Totara, which is the view held by Dr. Pilger. Young plants are easily distinguished by the weak and often flexuous branches and larger leaves; but it must be confessed that the mature foliage so closely resembles that of P. Totara that it is often difficult to separate the two plants by that character alone. The thin papery bark is, however, unmistakable. I fear that the shape of the fruit and the length of the peduncle of the male flower are subject to variation. The wood is similar to that of P. Totara, but is said to be inferior in durability. Mr. Kirk suggests that Colenso's P. Cunninghamii may be identical with P. Hallii; but the type specimen in Mr. Colenso's herbarium appears to be P. Totara.

P. acutifolius, T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvi. (1884) 370, t. 26. — An erect much-branched shrub 3–10 ft. high; branches slender, erect. Leaves usually rather lax, spreading, 1–3–1 in. long, linear, straight, acuminate and pungent, sessile or nearly so, green, coriaceous; midrib indistinct; margins slightly recurved. Flowers diœcious. Males ⅓–½ in. long, solitary or in fascicles of 2–4 at the top of an erect peduncle about ½ in. long, each flower with 4 scarious acuminate bracts at its base, forming a quasi involucre at the top of the peduncle. Anthers numerous, closely packed; connective obtuse. Female flowers minute, axillary, solitary or very rarely geminate at the top of a short swollen peduncle. Fruit small, ovoid, seated on the enlarged and fleshy bright-red peduncle.— Forest Fl. t. 39; Pilger, Pflanzenreich, iv. 5, 84.

South Island: Marlborough—Rutland! Mount Duppa, Macmahon! Nelson—Lake Rotoiti and upper part of the Buller Valley, Kirk! T. F. C.; Hope Valley, T. F. C. 1500–3000 ft.

Allied to P. nivalis, but at once recognised by the erect slender habit and narrow pungent leaves. From P. Totara it is separated by the small size, much more slender habit, and narrower thinner leaves.

P. nivalis, Hook. Ic. Plant, t. 582. — A much-branched erect or prostrate shrub 2–8 ft. high; branches wide-spreading, often rooting at the base. Leaves close-set, sessile, not distichous, spreading or recurved, ¼–⅔ in. long, linear to linear-oblong or narrow linear-obovate, obtuse, apiculate, narrowed to the base, very thick and coriaceous, midrib prominent beneath, margins thickened. Flowers diœcious. Males axillary, solitary or 2–4 at the top of page 650a slender peduncle, variable in length, very slender, ¼-l in. long. Anthers very numerous, often laxly placed; connective obtuse. Female flowers solitary, axillary, seated on the top of a short swollen peduncle. Fruit a small oblong-ovoid nut; peduncle much enlarged, fleshy and succulent, bright-red, usually with 2 acute projections at the top (adnate bracts), 1 on each side of the nut.— Raoul, Choix, 41; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 232; Handb. N.Z. FL 257; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 40; Pilger, Pflanzenreich, iv. 5, 85. P. montanus, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii. (1895) 395.

North and South Islands: Subalpine localities from the summit of Moehau (Cape Oolville) and Hikurangi southwards, not uncommon. 2000–5500 ft.

P. ferrugineus, D. Don. in Lamb. Gen. Pinet. ed. ii. (1832) 189.—A tall forest-tree 50–80 ft. high with a rather narrow round-topped head; trunk 1–3 ft. diam.; bark greyish-brown or almost black, scaling off in large flakes. Leaves distichous, close-set, spreading, ½–¾ in. long, linear, falcate, acute or subacute, 1-nerved,. margins recurved, red-brown when dry; those of young plants longer, narrower, and more acute. Flowers diœcious. Males axillary, solitary, sessile, cylindric, equalling or rather longer than the leaves. Anthers numerous, closely packed; connective obtuse. Female flowers solitary or very rarely geminate at the top of a curved peduncle clothed with minute scale - like bracts. Fruit large, broadly oblong, drupaceous, ¾ in. long, reddish-purple with a glaucous bloom, top of the peduncle not enlarged nor succulent.— A. Cunn. Precur. n. 327; Raoul, Choix, 41; Hook. Ic. Plant, t. 542; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 232; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 257; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 84; Pilger, Pflanzenreich, iv. 5, 66.

North and South Islands, Stewaet Island: Abundant in forests-throughout. Sea-level to 3000 ft. Miro; Toromiro; Black-pine.

Wood strong, hard and compact, straight-grained, not durable in exposed situations. The fleshy drupes form the chief food of the wood-pigeon during the winter months.

P. spicatus, R. Br. in Benn. PI. Jav. Rar. 40.—A tall round-headed forest-tree 40–80 ft. high; branches numerous, crowded, erect; trunk 2–4 ft. diam.; bark black or bluish-black, scaling off in large flakes. Young plants with long slender flexuous and pendulous branches, clothed towards the tips with reddish-brown leaves. Leaves of mature plants distichous, ⅓–½ in. long, linear, straight or slightly falcate, obtuse or apiculate, coriaceous, green above, glaucous beneath. Flowers diœcious. Males numerous, ⅕–⅓ in. long, linear, obtuse, horizontal, arranged in axillary spikes. Anthers closely packed; connective ovate, acute. Female flowers in 3–8-flowered spikes. Fruit black or nearly so, globose, succulent,. ¼–⅓ in. diam.; fleshy receptacle wanting.—Hook. Ic. Plant, t. 543; Raoul, Choix, 41; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 232; Handb. N.Z. Fl. page 651258; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 4, 5; Pilger, Pflanzenreich, iv. 5, 65. P. Matai, Lamb, ex Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 741. Dacrydium taxifolium, Banks and Soland. ex Lamb. Pin. ed. ii. 119. D. Mai, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 329. Prumnopitys spicata, Kent in Veitch Man. Conif. ed. ii. 157.

North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Not uncommon in forests from the North Cape southwards. Sea-level to 2000 ft. Matai; Mai; Black-pine.

A very distinct species, at once recognised by the spicate flowers and globose fruit. Wood brownish, hard, heavy, close-grained, of great strength and durability. This and the preceding differ from the remaining New Zealand species in wanting the succulent receptacle to the fruit.

P. daerydioides, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 358, t. 39.—A lofty tree 80–100 ft. or 120 ft. high, in swampy localities often growing gregariously and forming dense forests; trunk 2–5 ft. diam. Leaves of two forms: those of young trees distichous, ⅙–¼ in. long, linear, falcate, upturned and acuminate at the tip, decurrent at the base, flat, nerveless; of mature trees inserted all round the branch and appressed to it, imbricated, 1/12–⅛ in. long, subulate-lanceolate, acuminate, keeled. Flowers diœcious. Males solitary, terminal, ⅙–¼ in. long; anthers crowded; connective ovate, acute. Female flowers minute, solitary, terminating the branchlets; peduncle and bracts swollen. Fruit a black ovoid nut about ⅙ in. long, seated on the greatly enlarged bright-red succulent peduncle. — Raoul, Choix, 41; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 233; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 258; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 31, 32; Pilger, Pflanzenreich, iv. 5, 57. P. thuyoides, R. Br. in Benn. PI. Jav. Rar. 41. Dacrydium excelsum, D. Don. in Lamb. Pin. ed. ii. App. D. ferrugineum, Van Houtte ex Gord. Pin. 590. D. thuyoides, Banks and Sol. ex Carr. Conif. 479.

North and South Islands, Stewart Island: In lowland forests from the North Cape southwards, abundant. Sea-level to 2000 ft. Kahikatea; Kahika; White-pine.

One of the tallest trees in the colony, said to occasionally attain the height of 150 ft. The wood is white or pale-yellow, tough and compact, straight-grained, and easily worked, but unfortunately not durable when in contact with the ground or where regularly exposed to damp. It is very suitable for inside work of all kinds, but is liable to the attacks of a small boring beetle.

D. Kirkii, F. Muell. ex Parl, in D.C. Prodr. xvi. ii. 495.—A tall tree 50–80 ft. high; trunk 2–3 ft. diam.; bark greyish-brown; lower branches spreading, upper more erect. Leaves of two forms: those of young trees and on the lower branches of old ones large, erecto-patent, 1–1½ in. long, linear, subacute, narrowed into a very short twisted petiole, flat, pale-green, coriaceous; midrib distinct; margins slightly cartilaginous. Leaves of the upper and fertile-branches small and scale-like, densely quadrifariously imbricate and appressed to the almost terete branchlets, 1/12–⅛ in. long, ovate-rhomboid, obtuse, thick and coriaceous, obtusely keeled on the back; margins thin, membranous. Flowers diœcious. Males solitary, terminal, sessile, ⅛–¼ in. long. Females at the tips of the-branchlets, forming a short oblong head ¼–½ -in. long. Nuts 1–5. page 653(usually 3–4), oblong, obtuse, compressed, striate, about ⅛ in. long.— Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. x. (1878) 390, t. 19; Forest Fl. t. 97; Hook. f. Ic. Plant, t. 1219; Pilger in Pflanzenreich, iv. 5, 46.

North Island: In forests from Hokianga to the Manukau Harbour, rare and local. Whangaroa, Hector and Buchanan! between Hokianga and the Northern Wairoa, Petrie! between the Bay of Islands and Whangarei, R. Mair! T.F.C.; Great Barrier Island, Kirk! Titirangi (near Auckland), T.F.C. Sea-level to 2000 ft. Monoao.

A handsome tree, distinguished from its immediate allies by the large size,. the large leaves of the young trees and lower branches of the old ones, the almost terete fertile branchlets, and the usually numerous nuts. The transition from the long linear leaves of the young state to the small scale-like leaves of the old plant is most abrupt. Both forms can often be found on the same branch. The wood is pale brownish-red, strong and compact, and exceedingly durable.

D. biforme, Pilger in Pflanzenreich, iv. 5, 45.-A small tree 15–30 ft. or 40 ft. high, in alpine localities often dwarfed to a few feet; trunk short, 1–2 ft. diam.; bark dark-brown; branches, stout, clothed with the persistent and indurated leaves; mature branchlets tetragonous. Leaves of two forms; those of young plants and on the lower branches of old ones spreading, ⅓–¾ in. long, 1/15–1/12 in. broad, linear, acute, narrowed into a very short broad often twisted petiole, flat, coriaceous; midrib distinct. Leaves of old or fertile branchlets small and scale-like, densely quadrifariously imbricate and closely appressed, 1/20–1/12 in. long, triangular or rhomboid-triangular, obtuse, very thick and coriaceous, stoutly and prominently keeled on the back. Flowers diœcious. Males solitary, terminal, sessile, about ⅛ in. long; anthers 4–6; connective ovate, obtuse. Female flowers near the tips of the branchlets. Nuts 1–2 (usually solitary), oblong, obtuse, striate, compressed, about 1/10 in. long.—D. Colensoi, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 234, and Handb. N.Z. Fl. 259 (not of Rook. Ic. Plant, t. 548); Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. x. (1878) 390; Forest Fl. t. 96. Podocarpus(?) biformis, Hook. Ic. Plant, t. 544.

North Island: Mountain districts from Tongariro and the Ruahine Mountains southwards, not common. South Island, Stewart Island: Not. uncommon in mountain forests throughout. Usually from 2000 to 4500 ft., but descends to sea-level in the south-west of Otago and on Stewart Island. Yellow—pine; Tar-wood.

This is for the most part the D. Colensoi of the flora and the Handbook; but, as shown elsewhere, not the plant originally described under that name by Sir W. J. Hooker.

D. Bidwillii, Hook. f. ex T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. x. (1878) 388.—A closely branched erect or prostrate shrub 2–10 ft. high; lower branches spreading, sometimes reclinate and rooting; upper more erect, frequently giving a pyramidal form to the plant; trunk short, 3–9 in. diam. Leaves of two forms; those of young plants and on the lower branches of old ones spreading, crowded, page 654¼–⅓ in. long, linear, obtuse, sessile by a comparatively broad base, flat, coriaceous; midrib usually distinct, Leaves on the upper and fertile branches small and scale-like, densely quadrifariously ap-pressed, 1/25–1/12 in. triangular, obtuse, very thick and coriaceous. Flowers diœcious. Males solitary, terminal, sessile, 1/10–⅛ in. long. Female flowers near the tips of the branchlets. Nuts 1 or 2, small, striate, compressed, obtuse, about 1/12 in. long.—Forest FL t. 37; Pilger in Pflanzenreich, iv. 5, 46.

Var. a, erecta, Kirk.—Main branches ascending or erect, giving the plant a pyramidal or almost fastigiate outline.

Var. b, reclinata, Kirk.—Main branches prostrate or horizontal.

North Island: Summit of Moehau (Cape Colville), Adams! Ruahine Mountains, Colenso! Lake Rotoaira, Try on! Ruapehu, Rev. F. H. Spencer! South Island, Stewart Island: Not uncommon in subaipine localities throughout. Usually from 2000–4500 ft., but descending to sea-level in Stewart Island.

A near ally of D. biforme, principally differing in the smaller size and remarkably distinct habit, in the smaller linear leaves, which are sessile by a broad base, and in the more slender branchlets and smaller nut. When seen growing it is distinguished without any difficulty, but dried specimens not showing the linear leaves are easily confounded with slender states of D. biforme,

D. cupressinum, Soland. ex Forst. Pl. Escul. 80.— A tall forest-tree 60–80 ft. or even 100 ft. high, with a comparatively small round-topped head when mature, but pyramidal when young, with very long pale-green pendulous branches; trunk 2–5 ft. diam.; bark dark-brown, scaling off in large flakes. Leaves imbricating all round the branch; of young trees las, ascending, ⅙–¼ in. long, linear-subulate, acute, almost acerose, decurrent at the base; gradually passing into those of the mature trees, which are much smaller and more closely set and more appressed to the branch, 1/12–⅛ in. long trigonous, keeled at the back. Flowers diœcious. Males solitary or rarely 2 together at the tips of the branchlets, oblong; connective broadly ovate, acuminate. Female flowers solitary on the curved tips of the branchlets. Nut ovoid, barely compressed, about ⅛ in. long, seated within a cup-shaped aril; receptacle and bracts sometimes enlarged, fleshy and coloured, at other times remaining dry and unaltered.—A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 361; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 332; Raoul, Choix, 41; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 233; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 258; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 18–22; Pilger in Pflanzenreich, iv. 5, 53. Thalamia cupressina, Spreng. Syst. iii. 890.

North and South Islands, StewaRt Island: Abundant in forests throughout. Sea-level to 2500 ft. Rimu; Red-pine.

A well-known tree, the young state of which, with its graceful shape and pale-green pendent branches, is perhaps as beautiful and attractive as any tree page 655in New Zealand. The wood is deep-red, strong, hard, and heavy, but often twisted in the grain. It is largely used for building purposes of all kinds and for the manufacture of furniture, but is not nearly as durable as either kauri or-totara.

D. intermedium, T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. x. (1878) 386, t. 20.—A small tree 20–40 ft. high or more; branches spreading; trunk 1–2 ft. diam. rarely more; bark brownish-grey. Leaves of very young plants lax, spreading, ⅓–½ in. long, narrow linear-subulate, acute, curved, terete; gradually passing into the leaves of young trees, which are closer-set, squarrose or erecto-patent, ⅛–¼ in. long, broadly subulate, trigonous, acute. These again pass by imperceptible transitions into those of mature trees, which are densely quadrifariously imbricate and appressed to the branch, 1/15–1/10 in. long, ovate-triangular or rhomboid, obtuse, keeled, very thick and coriaceous. Flowers diœcious or rarely monoecious. Males usually abundantly produced, solitary, terminal, sessile, about ¼ in. long; anthers numerous; connective broadly triangular, acute. Female flowers solitary at the tips of the branchlets. Nut oblong, obtuse or apiculate, faintly striate, not compressed, ⅛–⅙ in. long, enclosed at the base in a short cup-shaped aril.—Forest Fl. t. 86; Pilger in Pflanzenreich, iv. 5, 51.

North Island: Between the Bay of Islands and Whangarei, R. Mair! Great Barrier Island, Kirk! from Cape Colville to the Thames goldfields and Te Aroha, Kirk! Adams! T. F. C.; from Lake Taupo to the Ruahine Mountains-and the Tararua Range, Colenso! Tryon! Mair! A. Hamilton! South Island,. StewaRt Island: Not uncommon in mountain forests, chiefly on the western, side of the island. Sea-level to 4000 ft. Mountain-pine; Yellow Silver-pine.

Wood reddish-yellow, highly resinous and very inflammable, of great-strength and durability; largely used in Westland (together with D. Colensoi) for railway-sleepers, telegraph-poles, &c.

D. Colensoi, Hook. Ic. Plant, t. 548 (not of Hook. f.).—A small tree 20–40 ft. high or more, very similar in mode of growth to D. intermedium, but rather taller and more conical, with a, straighter and cleaner trunk; branchlets more slender, often flexuous, 1/20–1/15 in. diam. Leaves of very young plants las, spreading, ¼–½ in. long, narrow linear-subulate, terete, decurrent at the base; gradually passing into the leaves of young trees, which are more closely set, ⅛–⅙ in. long, lanceolate or narrow - triangular, acute, falcate, flat, decurrent at the base, often more or less spreading, in one plane, giving the branchlets a distichous appearance. These-pass by insensible gradations into those of mature trees, which are small and scale-like, densely quadrifariously imbricate and appressed to the branch, 1/20–1/12 in. long rhomboid, obtuse or subacute, thick and coriaceous, keeled, apex often incurved. Flowers-diœcious. Males solitary, terminal, sessile, ⅛–⅙ in. long; anthers numerous; connective broad, triangular, acute. Female flowers at the tips of the branchlets. Nuts 1 or 2, oblong, obtuse, not com-page 656pressed, about 1/12 in. long, enclosed for ⅓ of their length or more in a lax cup-shaped aril.—Pilger in Pflanzenreich, iv. 5, 51. D. Westlandicurn, T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. x. (1878) 387, t. 18; Forest Fl. t. 85; Hook. f. Ic. Plant, t. 1218.

North Islahd: Between Mongonui and Kaitaia, Carse! Whangaroa, Hector 1 between the Bay of Islands and Whangarei, Colenso; Great Barrier Island, Kirk! Waimarino Forest, Kirk! South Islahd: Not uncommon along the West Coast from Collingwood to Martin's Bay, Kirk! Spencer! Townson! Brame! Helms! &c. Sea-level to 3000 ft. Silver-pine; Monoao.

Very close to the preceding; but the leaves of the young trees are much flatter, more decurrent, and often distichous; the mature leaves are smaller and the branchlets more slender; and the nuts are smaller, often 2 together, and are enclosed sometimes almost as far as the middle in the unusually well-developed aril. The wood is yellowish-white, straight - grained, strong and compact, very durable. It is exported from Westland to all parts of the colony ior railway-sleepers, and has been used with good results for the framework of bridges, wharves, &c.

D. Colensoi is a species which has been much misunderstood. By nearly all writers the name has been applied to the mountain-plant originally described by Sir W. J. Hooker in the "Icones Plantarum" (t. 544) as Podocarpus(?) biformis, the Dacrydium biforme of this work, although the two species are in reality totally different. The mistake appears to have originated in the "Flora Novse Zealandise," where Sir J. D. Hooker quoted Podocarpus(?) biformis as a synonym of D. Colensoi. His description is based entirely on D. biforme, and the localities given (Dusky Bay, Menzies; Tongariro and Ruahine Mountains, Colenso; mountains near Nelson, Bidwill) all unquestionably refer to the same plant. It is curious that, although the original plate of D. Colensoi is cited in the Flora, no reference is given to the locality in which the species was first discovered. From a letter of Mr. Colenso's sent with the type specimens, and published in the London Journal of Botany (Vol. i, p. 301), this appears to have been the rough forest country between Whangarei and the Bay of Islands—a station quite 250 miles to the north of the northern limit of D. biforme. Early in the preparation of this work a comparison of the original descriptions and figures convinced me that, although the plate of Podocarpus(?) biformis was a very faithful representation of the plant to which all New Zealand botanists, following the example of Sir J. D. Hooker, at that time assigned the name of Colensoi, it by no means corresponded with the original plate of D. Colensoi. Not only did the two plants differ in a marked degree in habit and foliage, but the figures given of the fruit of D. Colensoi were so unlike that of D. biforme as to make their specific distinctness beyond all doubt, It therefore became necessary to restore Podocarpus(?) biformis to the rank of a species under the name of D. biforme. Further study of the original plate of D. Colensoi made it clear that two subsequently described species—D. intermedium and D. Westlandicum—were evidently close allies, intermedium so far as the foliage was concerned, Westlandicurn with respect to the fruit. Under these circumstances I applied to Kew with the object of having these two plants compared with the type specimens, but, unfortunately, it was found that the latter were no longer in the herbarium. About this time Dr. Pilger, of Berlin, took up the study of the Taxacece for "Das Pflanzenreich." Fortunately he found one of Colenso's original specimens in the Imperial Herbarium at Vienna. He has thus been able to compare it with the other New Zealand species, and has satisfied himself that it is identical with D. Westlandicurn. I willingly accept this determination, although D. Westlandicurn usually has much more slender branches than those figured in the original plate. I am also glad to take this opportunity of referring New Zealand students to Dr. Pilger's memoir, which contains carefully prepared descriptions of the whole of the New Zealand Taxads, and •much valuable information respecting them.

D. laxifolium, Hook. f. in Hook. Lond. Journ. Bot. iv. (1845) 143.—A small prostrate shrub with very slender trailing branches 3–24 in. long; rarely suberect, and reaching a height of 2 ft. Leaves of young plants lax, spreading, ⅕–⅓ in. long, narrow-linear, acute, flat, curved; with the growth of the plant gradually becoming shorter, broader and thicker, and more closely set. Leaves of mature plants varying from ⅛ in. long, linear-oblong, obtuse or subacute, spreading, to 1/25–1/20 in. long, broadly ovate or oblong, obtuse, keeled or rounded on the back, closely imbricate. Flowers diœcious or monœcious. Males solitary, terminal, sessile, ⅕–¼ in. long. Female flowers solitary and terminal. Nut small, erect, oblong, obtuse with a small curved apiculus, about ⅛ in. long; receptacle sometimes dry, sometimes swollen and succulent,—Ic. Plant, t. 825; Fl. Nov.'Zel. i. 234; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 259; Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. x. (1878) 388; Forest Fl. t. 87; Pilger in Pflanzenreich, iv. 5, 50.

North Island: Tongariro, Bidwill, Hector! T. F. C.; Ruapehu, Rev. F. H. Spencer! Ruahine Mountains, Colenso! H. Hill! Hamilton! South Island, Stewart Island: Common in mountain districts throughout. Usually between 2500 ft. and 4000 ft., but descends to sea-level in Stewart Island.

A very remarkable little species, probably the smallest known pine. Fruiting specimens can often be seen barely 3 in. in diameter, although the usual size of the plant is more. The minute imbricated leaves are often entirely wanting, even in old plants; at other times both imbricated and spreading leaves occur on the same branch.

P. trichomanoides, D. Don. in Lamb. Pin. ed. ii, App. — A tall graceful tree 50–70 ft. high; trunk 1–3 ft. diam.; branches, whorled, slender, spreading. Cladodes or flattened leaf-like branch-lets alternate and distichous on whorled rhachises 1–3 in. long, each rhachis and its cladodes resembling a pinnate leaf; each cladode ½–1 in. long, obliquely cuneate or rhomboid, thick and coriaceous, lobed or pinnatifid, the lobes truncate or erose; veins spreading. Leaves of seedling plants ½–¾ in., long, narrow-linear, soon deciduous; of older plants reduced to minute subulate scales at the base of the rhachises of the cladodes or of the cladodes themselves. Flowers monoecious. Males in fascicles of 5–10 at the tips of the branchlets, ⅓–½ in. long. Females on the margins of modified cladodes at the tips of the branchlets, cladodes much reduced in. size, often little more than a peduncle, each flower in the axil of a. minute subulate bract. Nuts solitary, compressed, half exserted beyond the thickened and fleshy scales; aril cupular, with an, irregularly crenulate margin.—A. Cunn. Precur. n. 326; Raoul, Choix, 41; Hook Ic. Plant, t. 549, 550, 551; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 235; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 259; Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. x. (1878) 381; Forest Fl. t. 6, 7; Pilger in Pflanzenreioh, iv. 5, 97. P. rhomboidalis, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 363 (not of L. C. Rich.).

North Island: In forests from the North Cape to Taranaki and Hawke's Bay, not uncommon. South Island: Northern portions of Nelson and. Marlborough, advancing along the West Coast as far south as Westport. Sea-level to 2500 ft. Tanekaha; Toatoa; Celery-leaved Pine.

Wood white, close-grained, free from knots and other defects, very serviceable for sleepers, piles, the timbers of bridges, and probably for general building purposes. Bark often used for tanning, and by the Maoris for the preparation of a red dye.

P. glaucus, Carr. Trait. Gen. Conif. 502.—A small handsome tapering tree 25–40 ft. high; branches stout, whorled; trunk 12–18 in. diam., rarely more. Cladodes or flattened leaf-like branch-lets alternate and distichous on a rhachis 4–12 in. long, glaucous, when young, 1–2½in. long, rhomboid or obliquely ovate-cuneate, extremely coriaceous, deeply or coarsely toothed or lobed, lobes obtuse or acute. True leaves on seedling plants ½-l in. long, linear, page 659obtuse, membranous; on mature plants chiefly developed at the base of the young rhachises and falling away very early. Flowers diœcious or monœcious. Males very numerous, in fascicles of 10–20 at the tips of the branches, ¾–1 in. long, on stout peduncles of equal length. Female flowers forming globose heads terminating short stout distichous peduncles (modified cladodes) springing from the rhachis below the cladodes; fully ripe heads ½ in. long. Nuts 8–20, compressed, about ⅛ in. long, half exserted beyond the thickened scales; aril cupular. — Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. i. (1868) 149; x. (1878) 380; Forest Fl. t. 98, 99; Pilger in Pflanzenreich, iv. 5, 95.

North Island: Between Whangape and Hokianga, Kirk! between Hokianga and the Northern Wairoa, Petrie! Puhipuhi Forest, R. Hair! Great Barrier Island, Omaha, Kirk! Waitakarei Ranges, T. F. C.; from Cape Colville to the Thames goldfields and Te Aroha, Kirk! Adams! T. F. C. Wairoa South, Kirk! near Titiraupenga, T. F. C. Sea-level to 2000 ft. Toatoa.

A very distinct species, quite the most handsome of the New Zealand Taxads, and easily recognised by the robust branches, very large cladodes, and large female flowers. Carriere's description, founded on garden specimens of doubtful origin cultivated in France, hardly agrees with wild specimens, but probably refers to the same species.

P. alpinus, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 235, t. 53.—A shrub or small tree, usually from 8 ft. to 25 ft. high, but in exposed alpine localities often reduced to a bush of 3–6 ft.; branches numerous, short, stout, spreading; trunk short, 6–14 in. diam. Cladodes simple, crowded, spreading, ½–1½in. long, variable in shape, linear-oblong to oblong - rhomboid, obtuse or acute, very coriaceous, glaucous, lobed or pinnatifid, lobes usually obtuse. True leaves on seedling plants linear, ¼-½ in. long. Flowers monœcious. Males in fascicles of 2–5 at the tips of the branchlets, ¼–⅓ in. long; peduncles short, sometimes almost wanting. Females forming globose heads towards the base of the cladodes or on the margins of modified ones. Fully ripe heads about ¼ in. diam.; scales fleshy, bright-red. Nuts small, compressed, exserted beyond the scales; aril cupular, margin irregularly lobulate.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 260; Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Lnst. x. (1878) 382; Forest Fl. t. 100; Pilger in Pflanzenreich, iv. 5. 98. P. trichornanoides var. alpinus, Parl, in D.G. Prodr. xvi. 2, 498.

North and South Islands: In subalpine and mountain forests from Cape Golville and Te Aroha to Foveaux Strait, abundant. Usually from 1500 ft. to 5000 ft., but descends to sea-level in Westland and in the south of Otago. Mountain Toatoa.

Very closely allied to the Tasmanian P. rhomboidalis, L. C. Rich. (P. aspleniifolius, Hook, f.), principally differing in the position of the female flowers. It is a very important constituent of the subalpine forests of the South Island, particularly at high altitudes.