Flores polygami, v. hermaphroditi. Calyx 2–5-partitus rarius obsoletus, lobis obtusis, eroso-dentatis, ciliatis, æstivatione imbricatis. Corolla petala 4–5, distincta, v. rarius ima basi subconnata, obovata v. lineari-oblonga,
appearance of the species of the former sections. The following are more shrubby, and though of a different habit, I am unable to separate them by any decided character into a distinct section.
8. D. Lessonianum, A. Rich.; frutescens, ramis castaneis, foliis fasciculatis 2½—3-uncialibus lineari-subulatis semiteretibus supra planis, vaginis elongatis abrupte truncatis marginibus ciliatis, spica 1½—2 unciali 5–8-flora, floribus remotis, bracteis foliisque calycinis persistentibus coriaceis flore longioribus gradatim acuminatis, corollas segmentis oblongo-lanceolatis tubo subgracili.—A. Rich. Flor. Nov. Zel. p. 233. A. Cunn. Prodr. Fl. Nov. Zel. l.c. DeC. Prodr. l.c. D. attenuatum, A. Cunn. MSS. in Herb. Hook. Ardisia frondosa, α. longifolia, Banks and Sol. MSS. in Mus. Brit.
Hab. New Zealand; a very common plant in the Northern Island, also found on the Middle Island.
9. D. Urvilleanum, A. Rich.; frutescens, ramis atris, foliis fasciculatis 2½—3-uncialibus strictis supra canaliculatis, vaginis brevibus subciliatis, spica ½ unc. longa 3–4-flora, floribus approximatis, bracteis persistentibus foliolisque calycinis ovatis breviter acuminatis, corollæ segmentis ovato-oblongis tubo subcampanulato.—A. Richard, A. Cunningham et DeC. locis citatis. Ardisia frondosa, β. squarrosa, Banks and Sol. MSS. in Mus. Brit.
Hab. New Zealand; Northern Island, generally at a little distance from the sea; Tasman's Bay, Middle Island: D'Urville.
Stems always black and as if charred on the surface. This and the preceding are very closely allied, but assuredly quite distinct; the most prominent characters of the present are the shortly acuminated bracts, abbreviated spikes, and channeled leaves; other distinctions are well pointed out by A. Richard, to which DeCandolle adds "foliis rigidis," though in our specimens they are less so, if anything, than in D. Lessonianum, but rather shorter. Cunningham appears to have confounded the two, though he knew both plants, this being the common species on the banks of the Keri-Keri river. His MSS. name of D. attenuatum is also attached by himself to specimens (in Herb. Hook.) of Lessonianum and not of Urvilleanum, under which, in his 'Prodromus,' he quotes his own name as a synonym.
10. D. scoparium, Hook. fil.; v. supra.
Hab. Chatham and Campbell's Islands.
11. D. robustum, n. sp.; fruticosum, ramis fuscis, foliis fasciculatis 1½—2-uncialibus subcurvatis semiteretibus rigidis supra planis, vaginis basi abrupte truncatis ciliatis, spica ¾—1 unc. longa valida 3–4-flora, floribus confertis, bracteis persistentibus foliolisque calycinis rigidis duris ovato-lanceolatis gradatim acuminatis, corollæ tubo subgracili segmentis ovali-oblongis.
Hab. New Zealand; Northern Island: Edgerley.
This is a very distinct species though similar to the three former, and having leaves, though shorter and more rigid, of the same character as those of D. Lessonianum, as are the calycine leaves, flowers and segments of the
