CORRESPONDENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1928, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

INFORMATION WANTED. ■ ■ M (To the Editor.) I Sir—There is little doubt that treo referred to by Mr E. James in inquiry in your issue <of the 22nd. inst.M is the Neinei, Dracophyllum Traversi,® as stated by Mr H. Osmers in his in your issue of yesterday. There two varieties of the Neinei, Hum Latifoiium and Traversi. These axe distinct from Dra-Bj cophyllum Longlifolium, the which grows in Stewart Island, theHj Campbells, Auckland Islands and the* Snares, and also in the regions of the South Island. The of the Inaka are grass-like, but erectßj Both varieties of the Neinei carrjßj large clusters of spreading, leaves, lOin. to 24in. in length (Kirk)Mjj I have seen Latifoiium inv steep sandßj stone bush country in Taranaki, ancHf Kirk stated that its southern, limit iHf Charleston, in the South Island. first time I crossed Arthur’s Pass observed numbers of the Neinei, as reHl ferred to by Mr Osmers, and recognise<MJ them as an old acquaintance, thougßß in a distinctly new form. The treeßj compared with Latifoiium, seemed most huge, rugged and gigantieal, thW| surviving progenitor and father of entie Neinei family, which perhaps iH| is. Later on, referring to Kirk, Hi identified it as Dracophyllum versi, and, as stated by Mr Osmers, is evidently the tree \yhich Mr describes.—l am etc., 11 I W. T. MORPETH. ■ Hokitika, Sept.’ 26th. 19281 .7 •