of the New Zealand Flora,” Mr. T. F. Cheeseman, referring to Gaya lyallii (the type), writes (page 80), “It is partly deciduous at high elevations, but is certainly evergreen in the river-valleys of Westland and Nelson, where it is abundant.” In the appendix, however, Cheeseman quotes my contrary assertion, without, however, expressing any opinion as to its truth or the contrary. The following letter, which I received some time ago from my friend Mr. H. J. Matthews, Chief Government Forester, throws some fresh light upon the subject:—

“Dunedin, 2nd September, 1905.

“Defoliation of Gaya lyallii var. ribifolia (Trans., vol. Xxxvii).

“In reference to your paper on this subject, I have pleasure in confirming your statement as far as I have observed adult trees in the neighbourhood of Mount Torlesse and Mount Cook. Regarding the south-western species, Gaya lyallii, I have recently (April and May last) observed adult specimens at Tapanui, Pomahaka Gorge, Routeburn Valley, Matukituki Valley, and Hunter River, and in every instance they were either leafless or nearly so; in the latter case, only a few yellow-tinged leaves remained on the extremity of the branches, and these would certainly fall with the first severe frost. At Dunedin there are hundreds of cultivated specimens which are always entirely bare of foliage during the winter. Seedling and young plants, however, without exception, retain their juvenile foliage during the winter. This refers both, to wild and cultivated seedlings. Cuttings struck from the ‘old wood’ in all cases lose their foliage annually. The lowest and most easterly habitat of Gaya lyallii known to me is Tapanui, lower valleys of the Blue Mountains and the banks of the Pomahaka River, both about 500 ft. altitude. From an experience of this tree during the last quarter of a century, I believe it is entirely leafless in the adult stage at any situation or elevation.—I am, &c.,

“

H. J. Matthews

Now, from Matthews's observations and my own, there appears no doubt but that Gaya ribifolia is truly deciduous, especially as it still maintains that character on the Seaward Kaikouras, not being in leaf in the middle of October.^*

On the other hand, so far as Gaya lyalli is concerned, there must remain a faint doubt as to its universal deciduousness until careful observations are recorded from Nelson and the west of the South Island.