THE ART ALBUM OF NEW ZEALAND FLORA.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 367, 11 May 1889, Page 3

THE ART ALBUM OF NEW ZEALAND FLORA.

[By Mr and Mrs E. H, Featox.]

We have recoived, through Mr James Adams, the Auckland agent,, tho third part of the above handsome and valnablo work, which, completes the prosenl series, lbs illustrations suvptss e.ven, the beautiful representubiooa oi tho New Zealand flora which have gono boforo. The handsome frontispiece, depicting a bunch of New Zealand wild ilowors, is, indeed, one of most artistic and periect pieces of chromo-libbgraphic work that have ever been executed in New Zealand, and reflects very great credit upon Messrs Bock and Cousins, by whom the work has been performed. The other illubbrations include the vcLlqw kowhai, the different varieties of rata and the pohutukawa, the New Zealand rubus, the geum, two varieties of quintinia or native lilac, the elegant tawari, the weiumanuia, tho drosera arcturi, or "Alpine sundew." the beautiiul and too little appreciated manuka or ti-tree, four varioties of myrtle, and the maiie tauhake. Apart irom its value as a means of illustrating the beauties of our New Zealand forests, this work contains much interesting information on the botany of the country. Discussing that much - debated question whether the lata is or is not a climber, the authors observe : " The habit of growth of this species (Metrosideros robusta), being both peculiar and interesting, requires some explanation at our hands to dispel the popular beliot with which it is surrounded. It is generally affirmed that the plant is a climber, and that it commences life as a slender, thread-liko parasite, creeping in numerous rope-like stoms up the tiunks of tho forest trees gradually enclosing them until they perish, and then uniting to form a noble tree with an enormous hollow trunk, taller than that which it has destroyed. This error has arisen probably from the resemblance which the foliage and inflorescence of this species bears to one of the scandenb varieties which is also called ' raba,' and is a climber in all stages of its existence, but may readily be distinguished by its larger leaves and flowers, its weak stems, and above all, by the capsule being included within the calyxtube. The brief facts of the case aie simply these : 21. robusta is naturally erect, as, demonstrated by the young plants in cultivation and by othors found plentifully in many localities. There is no tendency to a climbinghabibunder these rondibions, though it produces a few much-branched stems and does nob give any decided indications of a true arboreal system until it is of large size. But some of the plants have an epiphytic origin, which will piesently be explained. It *is truer that our plant is often found destroj'ing Jarce trees by wlii^h it is supported, and these instances are employed as a decisive proof of its climbing' habit. The truo case is, however, that J/. robust a is exactly the reverse of a climber, the so-called trunks or stems .being .vrial roots sent down by tho epiphytic masses of vegetation growing in the forks of the forest trees. The seed in due time germinates and forms a small bush, obtaining for a time sufficient nourishment from the decaying vegetation in which it is growing, until, the supply proving insufficient for the sturdy young interloper, its roots stretch down the tiunk of the supporting tree in search of that sustenance which can only be obtained irom the ground. Sometimes a singje root is given off : at others several roots of equal dimensions are to be found thus employed, but in nearly all cases the smaller roots aie given oft' at right angles to the supporting tree, and become united to the main roots by inasculation. In course of time, • the \arious stems become firmly combined, and the foster tree is literally strangled in their iron embrace. Thus, our 'ratd,' -which commences its career as a humble dependent, becomes a majestic denizen of the foiesb, standing alone in vigour -long aftei its benefactor has gone to decay." ' Appended to tho present part is a use ful glossary or explanation of sorao of tho terms used in botanical works, also a list of the systematic, Maori, and settlers' names of plants described in the Arl Album, with seasons ot flowering. This list will be found specially useful to the young botanist commencing his study of the New Zealand woods. In a very interesting preface the authors observe that "New Zealand from her highest scene of verduie down to the littoral zone, where tho ocean 'in varied mood sits enthroned,' nothing lacks in indigenous flowering plants, more than nine hundred and fifty species of which have been classified.'—" Auckland Star." May 8.