The lists of Mosses and Hepaticæ, as might be expected, are the most complete, and comprise many interesting forms. Hypnum inflatum, one of the handsomest mosses in our flora, occurs here, although sparingly. Campylopus appressifolius, which appears to be rare in other parts of the colony, is abundant in this limited district. Didymodon papillatus is plentiful alike on the scoria hills, the stiff clays, and the sands of the sea shore. Bryum curvicollum is common wherever fresh water trickles down the sea cliffs. Several species are extremely local; Dicranum clathratum is confined to a solitary habitat: Hedwigia ciliata, a common European moss, is restricted to less than a single square yard in its only known habitat in the North Island. Anomodon Huttoni, n.s., (originally discovered at Omaha, possesses special interest as being the only member of the genus hitherto discovered in the Australian Colonies. It appears to be confined to New Zealand, but has not been found south of Auckland.

Gales from certain points often deposit particular species of marine Algæ on the shores of the harbour; thus, after easterly gales Mesogloia intestinalis is often found in large quantities in Freeman's Bay, accompanied by the curious mollusc, Solenomya Australis, northerly gales often bring Landsburgia quercifolia, and Codium tomentosum. Tidal rocks in the harbour form a favourite habitat for Hormosira Billardieri, and rocky tidal pools exhibit a rich growth of Corallina and Jania. One or two species of Polysiphonia, and possibly a Bostrychia, are found in situations where they are partially exposed to the influence of fresh water. It must be allowed that the impurities necessarily washed into the harbour from the large city which adorns its banks are unfavourable to the growth of the most attractive members of this order. The terrestrial and fresh-water Algæ are few in number, and unimportant; the paucity of the latter is only what might be expected from the absence of any large streams or canals in the district, and the rarity even of ponds.

Many of the Lichens are extremely local in their habitats. Of the numerous Graphidœ collected in the district by Dr. Knight, I have only observed two or three species of Opegrapha and Arthonia. This is to some extent owing to the destruction of the low-growing shrubs and small trees, which, until within the last six or seven years, adorned many spots on the scoria fields, and partially clothed the base of several of the volcanic hills.

The interesting question of the introduction and diffusion of cryptogamic plants in new countries has been suggested by the occurrence of Bryum argenteum, a common European moss, under peculiar circumstances. Although abundant in this district it appears to be extremely rare elsewhere in the colony—the only recorded instance of its discovery being by Dr. Lyall, who obtained a scrap amongst other mosses collected by him in the South Island more than twenty years ago. It is not included in Dr. Lindsay's “Catalogue

of Otago mosses,” and Mr. Buchanan, who has paid much attention to the bryology of the South Island, informed me that he had searched for it in vain. It was originally discovered in Auckland by Dr. Knight, and subsequently by Captain Hutton and myself, about four or five years ago. Since that time it has become plentiful by road-sides, walks, and on walls, etc., but has not been found at any great distance from the city. When growing on scoria it usually presents a remarkably dull and depauperated appearance, instead of its normal shining aspect, so that, when not in fruit, it is possible for even a good observer to walk over large patches of the plant without noticing it, but when growing on walls it exhibits the glossy and silvery look from which it derives its trivial name.

Its evident rarity in the South Island, and the restricted area to which it appears to be confined in the North, together with its rapid local increase during the last four or five years, when considered collectively, are certainly calculated to suggest the idea of its exotic origin; an idea which is apparently strengthened by the fact of its comparatively recent recognition in the north, and by its exhibiting no departure from the ordinary European type of the plant; but the slightest examination of these conditions in detail will suffice to show that alone they can afford no support to the theory. Other plants, both Phænogams and Cryptogams, whose nativity here cannot be called in question, occur under exactly similar conditions of abundance in Europe, and rarity in New Zealand; and if it be further urged that the climatal conditions of these islands would lead us to expect a wide distribution of our plant, the same statement would still apply. I will content myself with citing Hedwigia ciliata, the rarity of which in the North Island has been already mentioned, as an instance in point. The apparent rapid increase of our plant, as well as its recent recognition in this locality, may be accounted for by the increase of habitats more suitable for its luxuriant growth than the natural scoria, especially if we remember that, from their nature and situation, plants growing upon them are brought prominently into notice.

But even if this plant exhibited a more rapid increase, extending over a wider area, this could not be taken as evidence of its exotic origin; for causes attendant upon the progress of settlement have led to the local increase of many plants whose nativity stands unquestioned, but which would be open to suspicion on exactly the same ground. Azolla rubra, which some years ago was stated by Mr. Travers to have increased in the province of Canterbury to such an extent as to impede drainage, affords a marked instance of the local increase of a Cryptogam which is decidedly rare in many districts. Ceratodon purpureus, a cosmopolitan moss, has increased largely with the development of settlement in the north, and probably throughout the colony. It is, however, a remarkable fact, that, with the exception of certain moulds

• Trichostomum—continued.

• setosum, H. f. and W.

• strictum, Bruch.

• australe, Mitt.

• Tortula.

• Muelleri, Br. and Schimp.

• australasiæ, H. f. and W.

• Knightii, Mitt.

• calycina, Schw.

• Didymodon.

• papillatus, H. f. and W.

• Ceratodon.

• purpureus, Brid.

• Encalypta.

• australis, Mitt., Dr. Knight

• Hedwigia.

• ciliata, Ehr.

• Grimmia.

• pulvinata, Sm.

• Schlotheimia.

• Brownii, Schw., Dr. Knight

• Macromitrium.

• longipes, Schw.

• gracile, Schw.

• ligulare, Mitt.

• orthophyllum, Mitt.

• microphyllum, H. and Grev., Dr. Knight.

• prorepens, Schw.

• Zygodon.

• Brownii, Schw.

• Leptostomum.

• gracile, Br.

• inclinans, Br., Dr. Knight

• macrocarpum, Br.

• Bryum.

• truncorum, Bory.

• campylothecium, Tayl.

• billardieri, Schw.

• obconicum, Horns.

• lævigatum, H. f. and W.

• argenteum, L.

• tenuifolium, H. f. and W., Dr. Knight

• blandum, H. f. and W.

• torquescens, B. and S.

• curvicollum, Mitt.

• creberrimum, Tayl.

• crassum, H. f. and W.

• cæspiticium, L.

• chrysoneuron, C. Muell.

• atro-purpureum, W. and M.

• Mnium.

• rostratum, Schw.

• Bartramia.

• papillata, H. f. and W., Dr. Knight

• australis, Mitt.

• tenuis, Tayl.

• affinis, Hook.

• pendula, Hook.

• sieberi, Mitt.

• comosa, Mitt.

• divaricata, Mitt.

• Funaria.

• hygrometrica, Hedw.

• glabra, Tayl.

• cuspidata, H. f. and W., Dr. Knight

• Physcomitrium.

• apophysatum, Tayl.

• pyriforme, Bruch. and Schimp.

• Eremodon.

• robustus, H. f. and W.

• octoblepharis, H. f. and W.

• purpurascens, H. f. and W., Dr. Knight

• Polytrichum.

• Magellanicum, Hedw.

• tortile, Swartz.

• aloides, L.

• juniperinum, Hedw,

• commune, L.

• Cladomnion.

•    ericoides, H. f. and W.

• sciuroides, H. f. and W., Dr. Knight

• Meteorium.

• molle, H. f. and W.

• cuspidiferum, Tayl.

• flexicaule, H. f. & W., Dr. Knight

• Cryphæa.

• Tasmanica, Mitt.

• Cyrtopus.

• setosus, Brid.

• Phyllogonium.

• elegans, H. f.

• Neckera.

• pennata, Hedw.

• Anomodon.

• Huttoni, Mitt., n.s.

• Trachyloma.

• planifolium, Brid.

• Isothecium.

• sulcatum, H. f. and W.

• pandum, H. f. and W.

• arbuscula, H. f. and W.

• ramulosum, Mitt.

I must point out that this statement is essentially misleading, as it is true only of a portion of the South Island, and does not in any way apply to the North Island, or to the northern portion of the South Island.

In the North Island this plant exhibits exactly similar characteristics of abundance and luxuriance to those which it manifests in the British Islands. It is commonly found by road sides and on waste land, on cultivated land, and on grassy places in the forest. I have not observed it at a greater altitude than 1,800 or 1,900 feet, but there can be little doubt that it will be found at a greater height on the central ranges. I never met with an instance of its occurring in native cultivations to such an extent as to cause “much inconvenience,” and the same remark applies to its occurrence in the more extended cultivations of the settlers. I may add that around the chief seats of settlement in the North Island — Auckland, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington—also about Nelson in the South Island, it occurs under the same relative conditions as to extent and luxuriance that have just been described. It nowhere obtrudes itself upon the attention of a new-comer from occurring in greater abundance than in ordinary localities in the British Islands, and I am satisfied, from close observation during the past eight or nine years, that it has not increased in a greater ratio than might fairly be expected from the increase of favourable habitats afforded by the spread of agricultural operations. This view of the case is supported by the direct testimony of old settlers and missionaries; our president states that the plant has, to his personal knowledge, held the same relative position-for the past thirty years that it now occupies.

In the middle and southern part of the South Island the Knot-grass has increased excessively: at present, however, it does not appear whether the typical form of the plant participates in this increase or not. So far as the evidence in my possession is precise on the point, it refers only to the var. Dryandri. In the “Natural History Review” for October, 1864, Mr. Travers writes:—“This plant (Polygonum aviculare) grows with extraordinary vigour all over the country (Canterbury), where the soil has been at all disturbed, completely replacing the native plants. Its roots often penetrate to the depth of three and four feet,”—and in an earlier number of the same periodical it was stated on the authority of Mr. Travers that plants “spread over an area four to five feet in diameter.” In the “Handbook of the New Zealand Flora,” the typical form is stated to have been collected by M. Raoul on Banks Peninsula, thirty years ago, and the var. Dryandri at Port Cooper, by Dr. Lyall, eight or ten years later. I possess a Christchurch specimen of the variety labelled “P. aviculare,” collected by Mr. Armstrong, who remarks that it is found “in great abundance and spreading with great rapidity.” In the “Handbook” it is also stated that the variety Dryandri “covers acres of

ground by road-sides in Otago.” It is certainly desirable to ascertain whether the typical form exhibits the same power of rapid increase as the variety. In the North Island the variety is recorded from the East Coast on Mr. Colenso's authority, but I cannot learn that it exhibits the strongly marked facility of propagating itself which it manifests in the south. The only locality in which I have collected it is on the Great Barrier Island, where, in 1867, it was rather plentiful on a small patch of ground at Puriri Bay, but was not observed elsewhere; strange to say on searching the locality in March last, I failed to find a single specimen! while the typical form appeared to have neither increased nor diminished since my previous visit.

The peculiar eastern distribution of the variety Dryandri is certainly singular, and taken in conjunction with its excessive abundance and rapid increase in the south may possibly justify suspicion as to the exotic origin of this particular form; but, unless supported by more direct evidence, this is quite inadequate to warrant a positive conclusion on the subject, especially in the absence of any similar increase in the north, with its more advantageous climatal conditions. In no case can this affect the question of the introduction of the typical form; even should it be proved that this exhibits in the south the rapid diffusion which is so strongly marked in the variety, the fact will still remain that during actual observation, extending over thirty years, the peculiarity has not been evidenced in at least two-thirds of the colony.

But arguments in favour of exotic origin, based, as in the present case, solely upon the abundance and rapid increase of a plant in certain localities, cannot in any case be considered conclusive in the face of the remarkable increase exhibited by plants whose nativity is unquestioned. Mr. Travers himself has placed a marked instance on record: I select it chiefly from its occurring in the same district as the subject of this paper. In the article from which I have already quoted, Mr. Travers states that “Azolla rubra is rapidly increasing, and utterly impedes the progress of draining in the lower and more level tracts of the country.” A startling phenomenon, as compared with the conditions under which this plant occurs in the north; yet, I imagine, no one would think of suggesting the great abundance and rapid increase of Azolla, in the province of Canterbury, as evidence of its exotic origin in that province, much less in the colony at large.

It is singular that Mr. Travers should adduce the opinion of the natives as evidence of the exotic origin of the Knot-grass, when he has seen fit to reject it with regard to the introduction of the Flesh-fly, of which he has given so interesting an account in the last volume of the Transactions. My own experience has led me to the conclusion that native evidence on questions of this kind is usually worthless, and it is commonly stated by the old residents and missionaries that the Maoris of the present day are greatly inferior to those of

Another species, A. trinervia, forms a large portion of the forest undergrowth from the extreme north to the Upper Waikato, and probably much further south. A. Banksii is abundant on sheltered sea cliffs, within much the same limits, and the diminutive A. linearis forms large patches on the mountains from the Ruahine southward to Lord Auckland's group and Campbell Island. All the New Zealand species are endemic.

The general diffusion of the epiphytal A. Solandri, and its prominence in all pictures of forest scenery, have doubtless given rise to the erroneous idea that all the large-growing species are epiphytal. In the “Flora, N.Z.,” it is stated that “the large kinds usually form strinking objects on the lofty New Zealand forest trees,” and in the “Handbook” that “the New Zealand species are all diœcious, and from growing on lofty forest trees it is difficult to match the sexes.” Astelia Banksii is specially stated to occur on the limbs of forest trees, but the fact is that only two species are epiphytic, A. Solandri and A. Cunninghamii; the latter rarely or never occurs in large masses so as to form a conspicuous object in the forest. Astelia trinervia, the most abundant of all the species, in the north at least, is invariably terrestrial, as is A. Banκksii. A. grandis is uliginal, and A. Hookeriana rupestral.

All the species are characterized by linear leaves, with broad sheathing bases, more or less silky or shaggy; yet in its habit of growth each species exhibits marked points of difference, which are easily recognized when once pointed out, and in nearly every case the mature fruit alone affords character which cannot be mistaken. The branches of the male panicles are often flexuous and interlaced, especially in A. trinervia, A. Cunninghamii, and A. Banksii; those of the female panicles are rigid and erect, except in A. Solandri. In A. trinervia, A. Hookeriana, and A. Cunninghamii, the elongated scapes are weak and prostrate in fruit; in A. Solandri the scape itself is erect, and the branches pendulous; in A. grandis the stout triquetrous scape, and rigid erect branches, alone suffice to distinguish that species from its congeners, and in A. Banksii the scape, although slender, is invariably erect. The leaves of several species are covered on one or both surfaces with a thin pellicle, which can be detached in long strips.

The flowers of A. Solandri are highly attractive, their bright lemon colour forms a marked contrast with the surrounding foliage, and the plant itself calls vividly to mind descriptions of tropical forest scenery. Some of its immense female panicles contain from 4,000 to 5,000 flowers, and are succeeded by the bright crimson fruit, no less showy. The bright maroon hue of the flowers of A. Cunninghamii is also attractive, but in a much less degree; the handsome erect black purple fruit of A. Banksii is remarkably striking; and the orange coloured berries of A. grandis may be detected at a considerable distance. All the large kinds are sought after when in flower by bees.

A remarkable phenomenon exhibited by this genus is the varying period required by the respective species for maturing the fruit, which may be roughly stated at from five to fifteen months A. Hookeriana occupies the longest period, the flowers of the present season and the immature fruit of the last may be plucked together about the middle of April. A. Cunninghamii flowers in December, and requires a year to ripen its fruit. A. Banksii flowers in April; fruit ripens the following March. A. trinervia flowers in March and April, and ripens its fruit in January and February. A. Solandri flowers in January and February, and requires only five months to ripen its fruit. A. grandis usually attains its maximum of flowering about the middle of October, and has shed its fruit by the end of February.

The perianth is more or less persistent in all the species, but can only be said to inclose the ripe fruit in A. nervosa and A. grandis—the former is described by Dr. Hooker as “having the ovary sunk in the baccate tube of the perianth.” In A. grandis the perianth is slightly thickened, and surrounds the lower portion of the fruit, becoming reflexed and coloured internally as the berries fall. In all the other species, except perhaps A. linearis, the perianth becomes chaffy as the fruit ripens; it is least persistent in A. Hookeriana. All the lowland forms produce staminodia.

The placentation varies in different species; in A. Cunninghamii, A. Hookeriana, and A. linearis, the berry is one-celled, with parietal placentæ, but in the second of these the placentæ are as a rule rudimentary; the seeds are terete, and attached to the placentæ by short funiculi. In the remaining species the berry is three, or rarely five-celled, with black, shining, angled seeds usually suspended from the upper central angle of the cell. The fruit of all the species contains more or less mucilage.

The remarkable similarity in the structure of the seed to that of Juncus has led Lindley and other systematists to refer the genus to Junceæ; but this resemblance is confined to the internal structure; in the thick, hard, and black testa it differs from all members of that order, and still further in the diœcious flowers, the perianth united above the base, the terete filaments, short anthers, the minutely granulated pollen, and the short three-lobed stigma.

At present the members of this genus have scarcely been applied to economic purposes in the colony. I have been informed that some years ago considerable quantities of the shaggy leaf-bases of A. Solandri, the “tree-flax” of the settlers, were collected in the Kaipara, and purchased by an agent, who shipped them to Melbourne, but no one seems to know the object for which they were collected. The leaves of A. trinervia are extensively used for thatching, and the delicate pellicle with which they are invested has been worked into a charming trimming for ladies' bonnets; the same remark

exhibits a closer affinity,—in fact contains a larger proportion of plants common to both countries than the sections at which we have just glanced, still we miss the regal waterlilies, the flowering rush, the white and yellow bog-beans, the loose-strifes, arrow-head, and water-violet, which so often beautify the streams, lakes, and marshes of Britain. The forest vegetation of New Zealand comprises some of the grandest flowering plants known; the same must be unreservedly admitted of its alpine flora; but if we further except a few fine plants peculiar to the Auckland and Chatham Islands, there are scarcely any herbaceous plants remarkable for the beauty of their flowers. The social characters of the trees composing the sylvan flora of Britain contrast forcibly with those of the New Zealand forests. In the former, forests of oak, beech, Scotch fir, hornbeam, holly, etc., are, or rather were, not uncommon; but few of our trees exhibit this characteristic, more especially in the north. The kahikatea certainly forms large forests in the swamps Southwards, the beech on the hills, the tawa, and taraire, not unfrequently form large portions of the forest; the totara, the kauri, and a few other trees, occur in groves or patches; but, excepting the southern beeches, there is no tree which grows almost exclusively for miles, as was the case with the oak, Scotch fir, etc., etc. Our forests are highly varied, and not unfrequently exhibit a larger number of species of ligneous plants in a single district, than could perhaps be found in the greater part of Europe; but this almost tropical variety in itself detracts from the sense of grandeur which is inspired by continuous masses of any one kind of arboreal vegetation.

Ligneous plants form one-eighth part of the phænogamic Flora of New Zealand, but less than one forty-seventh part of the same section of the British Flora; and of this small proportion a limited number only can be called trees—the oak, ash, beech, hornbeam, birch, aspen, white and grey poplars, white and bedford willows, wych elm, holly, small-leaved lime, alder, maple, Scotch fir, and yew,—a number fully equalled by the New Zealand pines and beeches alone. Of British trees not a single species is marked by conspicuous flowers,^* and only one by attractive fruit,—there is no representative of our pohutukawa and the various ratas (Metrosideros sp.), the rewa-rewa (Knightia excelsa), hinau (Elœocarpus dentatus), ixerba (I. brexioides), towai (Weinmannia silvicola), toro (Persoonia Toro), kohe-kohe (Dysoxylum spectabile), puriri (Vitex littoralis), ackama (A. rosœfolia), hohere (Hoheria Sinclairii), kowhai (Sophora tetraptera), lace-bark (Plagianthus Lyallii), and many others with their showy flowers—or, excepting the holly, of the tawa (Nesodaphne Tawa), taraire

(Nesodaphne Taraire), kahikatea (Podocarpus dacrydioides), miro (Podocarpus ferruginea), matai (Podocarpus spicata), titoki (Alectryon excelsum), and hedycarya (H. dentata), with their attractive fruit.

The striking characteristic arising from a rich variety of species, not seldom belonging to orders unrepresented in Britain, is intensified by the peculiar habits and mode of growth of many New Zealand forms. In the lower parts of the forest we find the pukatea (Atherosperma Novœ Zelandiœ), with the base of its trunk developed into wide-spreading buttresses, its white bark contrasting strangely with its bright green foliage: near it the maire-tawhake (Eugenia Maire), clothed from base to summit with white myrtle-like flowers and leaves, by the side of the tall shafts of the kahikatea, with its sparse foliage: on drier ground the tanekaha (Phyllocladus trichomanoides), and the striking toa-toa (Phyllocladus glauca) display their highly developed phyllodia; the grand columns of the kauri (Dammara australis) rise to the height of from sixty to eighty feet without a branch, and, from their bulk and symmetry, fairly claim the supremacy of the forest; the totara, remarkable amongst New Zealand pines for its peculiar bark, and oftentimes of huge girth, the much branched hinau with its flowers of creamy white, by the side perchance of an immense rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum), with its peculiar pendent branchlets, the kawaka (Libocedrus Doniana) or arbor-vitæ, recognised at a distance by its bark hanging in broad ribbon-like flakes and the young plants at its base, showing how apposite was its old trivial name “plumosum;” the puriri with its white slippery bark and glossy foliage; the huge, often mis-shaped northern rata (Metrosideros robusta), which, commencing life as an epiphyte on some forest giant, sent down aerial stems, and developed them into large trunks which have strangled the fostering tree, above the remains of which its branches wave, often a hundred feet from the ground, and laden with flowers of fiery crimson; the rawiri (Leptospermum ericoides) or tea-tree, with spray-like branches laden with myriads of white flowers, its loose bark waving in the wind; the miro and matai with their yew like foliage; the tawa, with leaves resembling some of the British willows, and its sister-tree, the taraire, perchance, with the dusky tints of its fine foliage appearing still browner from the close proximity of a glossy karaka (Corynocarpus lævigata). Here, fine panicles of white flowers break from the uneven bark of the kohe-kohe (Dysoxylum spectabile), with its walnut-like foliage, there a fine arborescent lily-wort (Cordyline sps.), the only plant that can be said to impart a special character to the New Zealand landscape, waves its palm-like leaves, every branch tipped by an immense panicle of fragrant flowers. Mingled with all the southern palm (Areca sapida) attains its extreme height of fifty feet, and exhibits at once both the grace and stateliness of its order, only surpassed in beauty by the noble arborescent ferns (Alseuosmia macrophylla) which abound in the moist gullies.

The same richness and variety of form and habit is manifested in the undergrowth. The British woods exhibit but few species: the hazel, buckthorn, dogwood, crab, hawthorn, service, black thorn, alder, and dwarf willows, form the chief portion of its underwood, which is margined with thickets of brambles and roses. New Zealand exhibits a vast series of shrubby plants and small trees, often producing showy flowers, and varying in kinds—from those found in the warm latitudes of Auckland to those of the cool moisture of Otago and Southland. Most conspicuous in the province of Auckland is the large leaved Alseuosmia, with its pendent fuchsia-like flowers varying from white to crimson, one of the most social plants in the colony. The white-flowered wharangi-piro (Olearia Cunninghamii), varying from a bush to a small tree, is the chief representative in the North Island of the numerous shrubby composites of the south. In rocky places the puka-puka (Brachyglottis repanda), recognised at a considerable distance by its hoary leaves, is abundant, and perchance growing amongst it the rhabdothamnus (R. Solandri), with its fairy-like bells of orange and scarlet. The hange-hange (Geniostoma ligustrifolia), the kawa-kawa (Piper excelsum), the ngaio (Myoporum lœtum), the pennantia (P. corymbosa), with its waxlike flowers, various coprosmas (C. grandifolia etc.), several species of senecio (S. glastifolius), with their white or yellow corymbs, shrubby veronicas (V. ligustrifolia, etc.), sometimes attaining the height of fifteen feet, and laden with snowy or lilac-coloured flowers; the lance-wood (Panax crassifolia), which at first is only a straight rod, perhaps, ten feet high, with linear, toothed, and mottled leaves eighteen inches long, growing downwards at an acute angle with the stem, then becoming slightly branched, it developes trifoliate leaves of a similar character, and ultimately as a small tree exhibiting simple linear-obovate, entire leaves, and unisexual umbels of green flowers. The whau-whau-paku, another araliad, with its broad handsome green foliage; the whau (Entelea arborescens), the ake-ake (Dodonœa viscosa), and numerous other kinds intermingled with a dense growth of a social asteliad (Astelia trinervia), and numerous “cuttinggrasses” (Gahnia setifolia, etc.), whose serrated edges speedily scarify the unprotected hands of the traveller.

But a still more striking point of contrast is afforded by the garniture of the trees. In British woods the solitary ivy is the only climbing plant which attains to the summits of the higher trees. A solitary clematis (C. vitalba) and the woodbine (Lonicera Periclymenum) complete the list of ligneous climbers. Rarely the polypody (Polypodium vulgare) may be seen amongst the forks of the branches, but as a rule, beyond a few mosses and lichens, the trees are bare of vegetable growth.

In the New Zealand forest the huge trees sustain entire assemblages of dissimilar plants. Asteliads (Astelia Solandri, etc.) growing on their limbs

present a peculiar feature in the landscape, and at a distance “resemble the nests of some gigantic bird;” their drooping scapes of waxy-looking flowers and crimson fruit being alike conspicuous and attractive. Trunks and branches are laden with epiphytic orchids, small pittosporads and other shrubs, ferns, pendent lycopods, and mosses, accompanied by large foliaceous lichens, to an extent which completely beggars description. Scandent ferns, which ascend to the tops of the highest trees present a feature totally unknown in the woods of Britain, and showy loranths adorn the branches with bright coloured flowers strangely out of harmony with the foliage of the supporting tree. The large white-flowered clematis (C. indivisa), with its massive foliage covers the outskirts of the forest during two months of the year, as with a sheet of purest snow; parsonsias exhibit their twisted and inosculated stems, ultimately producing jessamine-like flowers and pendent linear capsules. The well-known supple-jack (Rhipogonum scandens), with its flexible stems, often fills up the spaces between the trees, and renders progress both tedious and laborious, while the mange-mange (Lygodium articulatum), with its elegant foliage, its singular spore-cases and tough wiry stems, binds trees and undergrowth together in its net-like shrouds to such an extent that the traveller's path can only be cleared by the knife. Like its British allies, the tataramoa (Rubus australis), with its three or four strongly marked varieties, often forms impenetrable thickets, or ascending the lower shrubs by means of the hooked prickles with which its leaves are armed, ultimately reaches the tops of the loftiest trees, and with its cable-like stems partly coiled on the ground, partly suspended in mid-air, spreads its branches far and wide, and hangs its branched and elongated panicles of snowy diœcious flowers, absolutely without a rival in the genus to which it belongs. Adding the beauty of colour to that of form, scandent species of Metrosideros, a section almost peculiar to the colony, festoon the trees with brilliant flowers of white, red, magenta, and fiery crimson. How cold and sombre by the side of all this wealth of form, and warmth of colour, does the solitary ivy appear?

I have already pointed out the remarkable paucity of showy herbaceous flowers in the New Zealand forests as affording one of the most striking points of contrast between the two Floras. Their place is occupied by a large variety of ferns and allied plants of exquisite form, and often of delicate texture: now resembling miniature tree-ferns—now the shield ferns of Britain—of varied tints, from the tender green of adiantum (A. æthiopicum, etc.), the red and purple doodia (D. media), to the black Lomaria nigra—of all degrees of texture, from the filmy hymenophyllums, resembling delicate algæ, to the leathery todea (T. barbara)—now resembling humble mosses—now exhibiting the habit of the stately para (Marattia salicina).

In Britain Ferns and their allies form only one twenty-fifth of the Flora,

while in New Zealand they equal one-eighth, and the general difference in habit is as strongly marked. The peculiar effect produced by continuous carpets of the pellucid entire fronds of Trichomanes reniforme, or the finely cut Hymenophyllum demissum, in the cool open part of the forest, cannot be imagined by those conversant only with the Ferns of Britain. Tree-ferns, climbing ferns, and epiphytic kinds, are absent from the British Flora, and it exhibits none of those handsome and delicate filmy ferns, which are so luxuriantly developed in New Zealand; still, three species, Adiantum Capillus-Veneris, Athyrium Filix-fœmina, and Osmunda regalis, each in its respective habit, surpass all New Zealand forms in grace and beauty. Fifteen genera and thirteen species are common to both countries. The bracken of the British Islands is represented by a closely similar plant, having as wide a range of distribution, but no other Fern common to both countries has a distribution in New Zealand corresponding to its range in Britain; and the same remark applies to the representative forms, with the exception, perhaps, of the patotara (Botrychium ternatum). In conformity with the general law of plant distribution, the New Zealand Ferns, and their allies, decrease in number of species as they recede from the equator. In the Flora of the British Islands their distribution is decidedly polar, affording a marked contrast with the austral distribution of the great majority of its Phænogams.

Although many New Zealand Ferns occur at a great altitude, not more than three or four species are so purely montane in their habit as the British Woodsias, or Cystopteris montana. A few purely tropical species are found luxuriating in the increased temperature afforded by the close proximity of hot springs.

Equisetum, which is a prominent genus in many parts of the British Islands, has no representative in New Zealand.

The open land in Britain is usually covered with a mixed and compact growth of grasses and small forage plants, or with furze, heather, or bracken interspersed with thickets of brambles, sweet-briars, dog-roses, dwarf-willows, and one or two other shrubs which afford cover for a large number of herbaceous plants and a few ferns. In New Zealand, the southern bracken (Pteris esculenta), the manuka (Leptospermum scoparium), and, restricted to the north, the tauhinu (Pomaderris ericifolia), are the chief ericetal plants of social habit. These are dotted with bushes of makaka (Carmichœlia australis), with its leafless branches, the representative of the yellow broom of Europe, tupakihi (Coriaria ruscifolia), karamu (Coprosma lucida), koromiko (Veronica salicifolia, etc.), pimelias (P. prostrata, etc.), epacrids, and other shrubby heath-worts, with a large number of small-growing or stunted shrubs. In favourable spots a few small terrestial orchids are found of types quite unknown to the British Flora. In moist places various species of Cladium

and Schœnus abound, differing widely in appearance from the solitary British representatives of these genera. Lomaria procera and, in the south, L. vulcanica, often cover large areas. The peculiar appearance of Gleichenia circinata, the erect Lycopodium densum, and the semi-scandent habit of L. volubile, cannot be compared with any British plants in regard to habit of growth. A few willow herbs and other herbaceous plants, especially several species of Haloragis, are of frequent occurrence, but insignificant appearance. Many grasses are sparingly scattered amongst the shrubs and fern, but they rarely assume a social character; even on the plains of the South Island they seldom form a compact sward, unless mixed with introduced species.

Phormium tenaæ everywhere affords a striking feature, especially when in flower, and the huge tussocks and lofty panicles of the toe-toe (Arundo conspicua) at once attract attention; the cutting toe-toe (Cyperus ustulatus) is abundant on moist ground, and is remarkable for its singularly harsh and rigid habit.

It must be admitted that the manuka, although copiously sprinkled with snowy blossoms, offers a poor substitute for the furze and social heaths of Britain, with their attractive flowers. The herbaceous composites of Britain, with the exception of two or three forms, are not represented; its showy water-crowfoots are unknown; its charming milk-wort; its crucifers and cloveworts. The absence of its roses, brambles, and hawthorn, is at once noticed, even by the most careless observer. No trefoil, clovers, vetches, or wild peas, are found here. The showy bell-flowers are poorly represented by two or three species of Wahlenbergia. Its lowland forget-me-nots, its mullein and toad-flax, louse-wort and yellow-rattle, primrose and loose-strifes, have no substitutes. One or two speedwells closely resemble English forms, but they are rare and local; as are the lowland eyebrights. The dead-nettles, bugles, germanders, and other labiates, are represented only by a single species belonging to the order in the North, and by two only in the South Island. Spongeworts, so numerous in Britain, are represented by a single littoral species. With one exception, the charming terrestial orchids of Britain are represented by widely different forms, which evince a closer affinity with the Tasmanian Flora than is shown by any other group of New Zealand plants. The absence of the showy flowered lacustrine plants of Britain has already been pointed out, I will only add that, with one exception, the New Zealand water-milfoils are more or less subaquatic. I have only met with one species that is constantly submerged. Myriophyllum robustum especially, which is allied to the British M. verticillatum, is never submerged, but may be seen in the country between the Thames and Waikato, growing in immense abundance, three to four feet in height, and resembling a miniature pine forest.

The littoral section of the Flora differs from that of Britain in the presence of several peculiar plants. In the north, the pohutukawa (Metrosideros tomentosa), sixty feet high, with gnarled, distorted branches, laden from base to summit with deep crimson flowers, is often found with its trunk washed by the sea; the mangrove (Avicennia officinalis) covers mud-flats exposed at low-water, and often attains thirty feet in height; its creeping roots and innumerable suckers present a singular feature. Other trees prefer a littoral habitat, as the pau (Sapota costata), which has a similarly restricted range to the above, and others. The ngaio is abundant all round the coast, and is also found inland. A glossy leaved karamu (Coprosma Baueriana), and one or two shrubby veronicas and composites, also affect a littoral habitat. The arenarian plants are singularly uniform on all the coasts. The pingao (Desmochœnus spiralis) with its interrupted spike, Spinifex hirsutus, and Festuca littoralis, are confined to loose or shifting sand, and to some extent take the place of the marrem and sand-sedge of Britain, but present a singular appearance. Two other plants of opposite habit give à peculiar character to sandhills and beaches—Coprosma acerosa, with its tortuous wiry brown stems and acicular leaves, and the erect Pimelea arenaria covered with white silky hairs. Convolvolus Soldanella, and several other littoral plants, are common to both countries. The New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia expansa) and a large marshsamphire (Salicornia indica) are abundant in salt marshes. Except a large asteliad (Astelia Banksii), common on the cliffs, there are but few other forms of special importance. Zoysia pungens, a littoral grass, is one of the few New Zealand kinds which form a compact turf.

So little precise knowledge has at present been collected with regard to the altitudinal range of New Zealand plants, especially of their lower limits, that I am only able to point out some of the more remarkable alpine forms, without reference to climatal conditions. Dr. Hector has stated the general features of their distribution in an essay appended to the first volume of the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute. I may, however, remark that no mountain in Britain exceeds the altitude of 4,330 feet, the mean temperature of which is computed by Watson at 36.6 deg. Fahr. Not more than twenty-five species are found in Britain at a greater altitude than 4,000 feet. It is probable that one-eighth, or possibly one-seventh, of the New Zealand Phænogams and Ferns occur between 4,000 and 9,000 feet of altitude, although the number of species restricted to these limits would be much smaller. The comparative paucity of ferns at these altitudes contrasts forcibly with their abundance at lower ranges.

Conspicuous amongst the sub-alpine plants are the magnificent Ranunculi, R. Lyallii, and R. Traversii—the “water lilies” of the shepherds. Mr. Potts informs me the peltate leaves of the former are sometimes two feet in diameter;

their erect stems and waxy-white flowers, combined with their peculiar leaves, render them “the grandest species of the genus.” R. Godleyanus and R. insignis are also noble species. R. Sinclairii and R. sericophyllus are interesting forms of smaller growth. The remarkable genus Aciphylla comprises the “spear-grass” and “bayonet-grass” of the colonists, so-called from their rigid pungent leaves, which occasionally inflict uncomfortable wounds on incautious travellers. Many species of Ligusticum are found at great altitudes. Celmisia is a peculiarly montane genus, comprising twenty-five species, only two of which are found north of the Auckland Isthmus. It is characterized by linear radical leaves surrounding numerous one-flowered scapes, the leaves varying from half an inch in length to nearly two feet; acicular, or broad; membranous, or clothed with densely appressed tomentum; the flowers are almost sessile, or on long scapes, and in some species fully three inches in diameter. Strange looking Ozothamni abound, with imbricated appressed leaves, clothed with cottony tomentum, or shining. Perhaps the most singular forms are the species ofRaoulia and Gnaphalium, known to the shepherds as “vegetable sheep;” the stems are so closely compacted that it is impossible to thrust the fingers between them, and the imbricated, closely appressed leaves are clothed with a dense coating of velvety hairs. In the closely allied genus Haastia the plants form rounded cushions, several feet in diameter, the leaves being clothed with cottony wool. Several pastoral epacrids represent to some extent the crow-berry of the British mountains in habit. The mountain gentians, with their handsome yellow or purplish flowers, are amongst the most attractive of the genus. Myosotis comprises several species of similar habit to the British M. alpestris, with others, having terminal, solitary flowers, and hoary leaves. Numerous shrubby veronicas and a few herbaceous forms occur as sub-alpines; amongst the former is a group of singular forms, usually with closely appressed or imbricated leaves, but occasionally developing others of various forms, which are spreading and pinnatifid. Showy species of Euphrasia are frequent, and moss-like patches of the genera Pygmea and Forstera are not uncommon.

The alpine section of the British Flora exhibits no such striking plants as the above, either with regard to form or beauty; in many parts a compacted growth of Salix herbacea, Carex rigida, and Lycopodium alpinum is found on the highest peaks. Silene acaulis, Gnaphalum supinum, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola palustris, a few hawkweeds, alpine Cerastia, willow herbs, Alchemilla alpina, Empetrum nigrum, four or five grasses and rushes, Saxifraga oppositifolia, S. nivalis, Sedum Rhodiola, Lomaria spicant, Lycopodium Selago, Polygonum viviparum, Cochlearia officinalis, Thalictrum alpinum, and Oxyria reniformis, form the bulk of the sparse vegetation at and above 4,000 feet. About one-fifth of the British phænogamic plants and ferns occur between 2,000 feet and 4,330 feet; many of these, however, descend much lower.

its author as to the specific validity of some of the forms originally described have been confirmed. It is, therefore, of some importance that our present knowledge of the genus should be arranged in a connected form, and made available for further research.

It must, however, be pointed out that the present information is not sufficiently complete to admit of the preparation of a permanent revision of the genus, chiefly owing to the absence of any knowledge of the limits of variation in the southern forms.

The New Zealand species vary from small shrubs one foot in height, to trees of forty feet and upwards; they usually occur on the margins of forests, or in low-growing bush, particularly affecting the sloping sides and spurs of open gullies. P. crassifolium and P. umbellatum are invariably confined to littoral habitats, although often found at a considerable height on the cliffs, P. cornifolium usually, and P. Kirkii occasionally are epiphytic. P. pimeleoides, a remarkably local species, is restricted to clay hills near the Bay of Islands, and from the undiscriminating manner in which the open country has been cleared by fire has become very rare in its limited area. The seeds of all the species are imbedded in a viscid pulp, and a resin is exuded from the bark of P. crassifolium, P. eugenioides, and others.

The genus exhibits a pre-eminently northern distribution in the colony, although a few species have a remarkably restricted range; only two species are known to occur from the North Cape to Invercargill; three species are common to both islands; two are peculiar to the South Island; eleven are confined to the North Island. Of these last eight are not known to occur south of the province of Auckland, and of these, again, four are restricted to the district north of the Auckland Isthmus.

The altitudinal range of the New Zealand species is, with one or two exceptions, extremely limited, as might fairly be expected from its horizontal distribution. P. rigidum and P. Kirkii are known to occur up to 2,000 feet, and will probably be found at greater altitudes in the central ranges of the North Island. P. patulum, a remarkably local species, occurs at 5,000 feet in the province of Nelson.

The absence of any member of the genus from the Auckland Islands and the Chathams is significant, although there is reason to believe that at least one of the forms of P. tenuifolium is found in the latter group. On the other hand, the islands of the east coast of the province of Auckland exhibit a profusion of species—seven are found on the small island of Kawau, and nine on the Great Barrier.

The trunk of P. eugenioides attains a diameter of nearly two feet, and is occasionally rivalled by P. crassifolium, which is usually much smaller. The wood is perishable and of little use, even for firewood; from its whiteness and

density it might prove of value to the inlayer and wood-turner. The only economic purposes to which any part of the plant has been adapted, so far as I am aware, is the use of the gummy matter, in which the seeds are imbedded, to mix with the juice of the sow-thistle as a masticatory by the natives, who are also said to have mixed the bruised leaves of P. eugenioides with fat, for the sake of the perfume.

P. tenuifolium is the “turpentine tree” of the Otago settlers, who plant it for hedges, as it bears clipping freely.

P. Buchanani and P. eugenioides appear to be constantly diæcious. Other species exhibit a strong tendency in this direction, as well as towards a whorled arrangement of branches and leaves; this is constant in P. cornifolium, frequent in P. reflexum and P. Kirkii, and less developed in P. umbellatum, P. eugenioides, and P. virgatum.

A few species exhibit considerable variation in foliage. P. rigidum and P. patulum, in certain states, can with difficulty be distinguished from such widely different plants as Melicytus micranthus, Melicope simplex, Panax anomalum, and Elæocarpus Hookerianus.

The following arrangement is proposed for the New Zealand species:-

A. Flowers axillary (rarely terminal in P. fasciculatum and P. rigidum).

Throughout the islands, not confined to the east coast; the sub-species rare and local.

Flowers in October.

These forms vary considerably in all their parts, so that it would not be difficult to obtain a connected series of specimens, which should include the whole. I fully agree with Dr. Hooker in considering them much too closely allied to admit of their taking specific rank, although, perhaps, the differences are too highly developed to allow of their being treated as mere varieties. P. Colensoi is said by Buchanan to be frequent in the north. I never met with it north

of the Auckland Isthmus, and consider it a form of comparatively rare occurrence. Small forms of the typical P. tenuifolium are often referred to P. Colensoi by collectors.

2. P. Buchanani, Hook. f. North Island, Mongonui, J. Buchanan; near Mount Egmont. Dr. Hector informed me this species had not been found at Tongariro, as stated in the “Handbook.”

3. P. Huttonianum, Kirk, Trans. N.Z. Inst., Vol. II., p. 92. Varying in habit and station from a laxly-branched shrub to a small tree 12–25 feet in height with strict branches; bark black, or dark brown; branches slender, and with the young leaves and petioles clothed with white floccose tomentum; leaves alternate, oblong or ovate, obtuse or acute, 3–5 inches long, slightly coriaceous; petioles slender, ½–¾ inch long. Flowers axillary, solitary, or rarely in twos on a common pedicel; peduncles downy, ½–¾ inch long; sepals lanceolate, acute, bullate at the base, downy; petals ligulate, sharply recurved at about two-thirds their length, the corolla never presenting the rotate appearance of P. tenuifolium; anthers very long, ovary pubescent, bracts at the base of the peduncle deciduous; capsules erect, pyriform, downy, 2–3-valved, larger than in P. tenuifolium.

North Island, Whangarei, J. Buchanan; Great Barrier Island, Thames Goldfield.

4. P. rigidum, Hook. f. The flowers are both axillary and terminal.

North and South Islands; in mountain districts rare.

I have received small flowerless branches of sinuate-dentate leaves, collected by Major Mair in the Uriwera country, which may be identical with this plant, and I have collected similar forms on the Cape Colville ranges and in the Kaipara district.

5. P. obcordatum, Raoul. South Island, Banks Peninsula.

I am informed by Mr. Potts that the capsule is small, globose, 2-valved.

6. P. pimeleoides, R. Cunn. A weak, much-branched shrub, 1–8 feet high; young shoots and leaves silky pubescent, linear-oblong, scattered or whorled, patent or appressed, acute or obtuse, entire. Flowers terminal in clusters of 3–6; peduncles 1-flowered, slender, silky, ¼–1 inch long; petals subulate, recurved, yellow, with a purple stripe; capsules erect, ovate-acuminate or conical, downy, 2-valved; valves membranous at length, deciduous, the nuts retaining their position on the peduncle long after the valves have fallen.

Sub-species pimeleoides, proper. Much and repeatedly branched, the branches and leaves usually whorled, 1–1¼ inches long, ¼ inch wide, flowers clustered, valves of capsule with tips recurved.

Sub-species reflexum, R. Cunn. Leaves scattered, rarely whorled,

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linear, lanceolate acuminate, 1/16 inch wide, crowded. Flowers terminal, solitary or clustered; capsule ovoid-acuminate; tips of valves recurved. Var. Gilliesianum—very slender, leaves crowded, linear-lanceolate, acute, capsule conical, tips of valves straight. P. Gilliesianum, Kirk, Trans. N.Z. Inst., Vol. I., p. 143.

North Island, rare, Mongonui, Bay of Islands, and Whangaroa.

Flowers in April.

In size and habit there is a wide difference between the sub-species, but the fruit is closely alike in both. I have seen no specimens of P. reflexum with axillary flowers.

7.P. cornifolium, A. Cunn. Usually epiphytic, rarely terrestrial; branches often scarred with the marks of fallen leaves.

North Island, Spirits Bay to Cook Straits.

Flowers from August to November.

8. P. Kirkii, Hook. f., Trans. N.Z. Inst., Vol. II., p. 92. A laxly branched shrub, 3 to 15 feet high; branchlets stout, ascending; bark reddish purple; leaves erect, alternate, crowded or whorled, glabrous, linear-obovate, acute or obtuse, 2–5 inches long, narrowed into rather broad purple petioles, excessively coriaceous, pale green above, lighter below, midrib stout, prominent and curiously flattened beneath. Flowers terminal in 3–7 flowered umbels; peduncles slightly decurved; sepals broadly lanceolate, with membranous margin; petals ligulate, recurved, bright yellow; filaments short; ovary with a few long hairs, and narrowed into the short style; stigma 2-lobed; capsules erect, clustered, glabrous, elliptic, 1½ inches long, obtuse, 2–3-valved, remarkably compressed.

North Island; rocky woods, Whangarei, J. Buchanan; Great Barrier Island and Omaha, T.K.; Titirangi, T. F. Cheeseman; Cape Colville and Thames, T.K. Altitudinal range 1,000 to 2,300 feet.

Flowers in December. Often epiphytic.

9. P. umbellatum, Banks and Sol. Var. cordatum. Leaves linear spathulate, narrowed into the petioles, capsules cordate, valves not lobed.

North Island; always near the sea, from the North Cape to Poverty Bay. Var. cordatum, Great Barrier Island.

Flowers in October.

Comparatively rare on the west coast. This species and P. crassifolium have the same range, and evince the same preference for a littoral habitat. Probably both will be found to extend to the East Cape or still further south.

10. P. virgatum, n. s. A slender twiggy tree, 20–25 feet high; young shoots, leaves, and pedicels clothed with pale ferruginous pubescence; leaves linear-lanceolate or ovate, or obovate, entire or variously lobed and

toothed. Flowers terminal, in 2–3-flowered umbels, or solitary; pedicels short, decurved; flowers small; sepals linear, silky; petals recurved at the tips; ovary conical, hirsute; stigma 2-lobed; capsules erect, globose, woody, 2-valved; valves 2-lobed, granulated on both surfaces.

Var. cratœgifolia—leaves linear-lanceolate, irregularly lobed and toothed.

Var. serratum—leaves ovate, acute, crenate-serrate or dentate. In the young state of all the varieties the leaves are deeply incised and lobed.

North Island, Whangaroa North, Great Barrier Island.

Flowers in October.

11. P. patulum, Hook. f. Branches stout, glabrous; young leaves narrow linear, lobed or pinnatifid, 2 inches long; mature leaves spreading 1–1½ inches long, ⅓ broad, linear-oblong, narrowed at the base into a short broad petiole, obtuse, entire or crenate-serrate, very coriaceous and shining. Flowers in terminal 4–6-flowered umbels; pedicels patent, 1″ long, with scattered pubescence; sepals and petals not seen; ovary glabrous; style elongated; capsule nearly globose, compressed, broader than long; valves somewhat woody, brown, 2-lobed.

South Island, Wairau Mountains, altitude 5,000 feet, “Handbook New Zealand Flora.”

The description in the “Handbook” is avowedly drawn from “a single fruiting specimen,” and the fruit is said to be axillary. The valuable specimens for which I am indebted to Mr. W. T. L. Travers show both flower and fruit strictly terminal; by the time the fruit has arrived at maturity the peduncle has contracted to half its original length, and has become rigid and erect. The latter characteristic is manifested in P. Kirkii and P. virgatum, etc.

12 P. Ralphii, Kirk, Trans. N.Z. Inst., Vol. III., p. 161. A laxly branched shrub, 8 to 12 feet high in cultivation, with dark brown bark; branches spreading, young branches tomentose; leaves oblong or obovate, on long slender petioles, acute or obtuse, 3″–5″ long, 1″–2″ wide, coriaceous, clothed beneath with buff tomentum. Flowers in terminal 3–8-flowered umbels; peduncles ½”–⅝” long, tomentose, decurved in fruit; sepals linear, obtuse, tomentose; petals narrow, recurved; capsules rounded, 3-lobed and valved.

North Island, Patea, Dr. Ralph; cultivated at Wellington, J. Buchanan; Great Barrier Island, W. J. Palmer.

Easily distinguished from P. crassifolium and P. umbellatum by its slender spreading branches and oblong leaves; from P. crassifolium it differs in addition in the larger leaves, which are never narrowed into the petiole or have the margins recurved, and are less coriaceous and tomentose,

and in the capsules being less than one-half the size of that species. From P. umbellatum it further differs in the tomentose leaves, woody 3-valved capsules, and large seeds.

13. P. crassifolium, Banks and Sol. An erect shrub or tree, 10 to 30 feet high, with black bark, branches stout, young shoots, leaves, and peduncles clothed with white tomentum; leaves alternate, narrow-obovate or linear-obovate, narrowed into the stout peduncle, acute or obtuse, excessively coriaceous, densely tomentose below, margins recurved. Flowers terminal, solitary or in 2–4-flowered umbels; bracts ovate, ciliate; pedicels decurved; sepals linear-oblong, tomentose; petals recurved, large; capsules terminal, ¾”–1.¼” in diameter, 3-valved and lobed, on stout decurved pedicels 1″ long or more, usually solitary when mature; valves excessively stout and woody, downy.

Var. strictum—umbels terminal; capsules 3–5; pedicels strict.

North Island, by the sea, Spirits Bay to Poverty Bay.

Flowers in September.

As some confusion appears to exist amongst collectors respecting this very distinct species, I have ventured to add a few characters omitted from its diagnosis in the “Handbook.”

14. P. intermedium, n. s. A small tree with black bark, in habit and foliage resembling large specimens of P. tenuifolium; young leaves and shoots pubescent; leaves 1½”–2″ long, obovate, acuminate, narrowed at the base, flat, midrib pubescent, slightly coriaceous, erect. Flowers not seen; capsules terminal, on stout curved pedicels, solitary or in 2–3-flowered umbels, ovate-acuminate, ¾” in diameter, 3-valved, downy.

North Island, Kawau Island.

I give this well-marked form specific rank with some hesitation; in foliage it resembles large forms of P. tenuifolium, while the capsule partakes of the characters of P. crassifolium and P. ellipticum. Dr. Hooker and Mr. Colenso consider it a new species, still it is possible that further observation may show the wisdom of uniting it with one or other of the above. I have been tempted to attribute its peculiarities to hybridization.

15. P. ellipticum, n. s. A small tree, with black bark; branches erect or spreading, puberulous; leaves ovate-lanceolate, or elliptic, or obovate, obtuse or acute, coriaceous, partially clothed with ferruginous pubescence beneath. Flowers in terminal 2–5-flowered umbels; pedicels short, decurved, tomentose; capsules globose, flattened, 2-valved, downy, stout.

Sub-species ellipticum, proper. Leaves ovate-lanceolate or elliptic; in the young state densely clothed on both surfaces with rusty coloured pubescence. Flowers terminal, in 3–5-flowered umbels; sepals broad,

the Rata from Wakefield's “Handbook for New Zealand”:—“Rata (Metrosideros robusta). There are several varieties of this tree—one grows at first as a parasite, creeping in numerous stem-like ropes up the trunks of the other forest trees, gradually enclosing them till they perish, and then uniting to form, a noble tree, taller than that which it has destroyed, with an enormous trunk, but hollow within.”

It is, however, noteworthy that this opinion is not expressed by Dr. Hochstetter and the writers of other standard works on New Zealand, who simply speak of the Rata as a large tree with showy blossoms.

The general resemblance which the foliage and inflorescence of one of the scandent species exhibits to our plant has doubtless contributed to the perpetuity of the mistake. M. florida, which is also called Rata, 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 calyx tube. More than half the capsule of M. robusta is not included in the calyx tube.

There can be no question that M. robusta is often found destroying trees by which it is supported, and these instances are adduced by the bushman as decisive proof of the climbing habit of the plant, and he attempts to confirm his view by calling the species just mentioned (M. florida) the young state of the destroyer—totally ignorant of the fact that he is confusing two widely separate plants. In reality, however, our plant is exactly the reverse of a climber—the so-called trunks or stems being truly aerial roots, sent down from an epiphytic plant in search of nourishment! The seeds of M. robusta are conveyed by birds, or blown by the wind, amongst the epiphytic masses of Asteliads, Lycopods, and Ferns, so abundant in the trees of the northern forests. In this situation the plant takes root and forms a small bush, for a time obtaining sufficient nourishment from the decaying vegetation in which it is growing, until the limited supply proving insufficient for the increasing demand, its roots stretch boldly down the trunk of the supporting tree in search of that full supply which can only be obtained from the earth. Sometimes only a single root is given off, at others one main root with one or two weaker roots are to be seen, and again several roots of about equal dimensions are to be found, but in nearly all cases the different roots or stems are bound together by smaller roots, which are given off at right angles to the trunk of the supporting tree, and become united with the adjacent main roots by inosculation; not unfrequently masses of fibrous roots are developed, which perish with the increase of the main root, after serving their purpose of deriving temporary nourishment from the atmosphere. In course of time the various stems become inosculated, to a greater or lesser extent, along their course, and the supporting tree is literally strangled by their iron embrace. Notwith-

standing the common belief that the stems ultimately become homogeneous, I have never met with an instance where they have united into a solid trunk; it is certainly true that straight stems of great bulk, sometimes twelve feet in diameter, are to be seen; but this is only the case when a single root stem has been formed, or when the specimen is entirely of terrestrial growth. This may be verified by examining the position of the pith. It is, however, to be noted that when several stems are given off, the pith in each will be found much closer to the side on which the root has been in contact with the supporting tree; this, however, arises chiefly from the unequal pressure to which the root has been subjected during growth. The roots or stems may be met with of all heights up to seventy feet, and from one to twelve feet in diameter.

That the habit of the plant is erect, and not scandent, is demonstrated by the young plants in cultivation in our gardens, and this leads me to mention another peculiarity of this species.^* The young cultivated plants are always rigid, erect, and bushy, exactly resembling epiphytic specimens of similar size, or specimens growing on rocks. There is no tendency to a scandent habit, and not until the young plant attains a considerable size does it afford any decided indication of a true arboreal stem. It usually produces a few much-branched stems. This has led to the belief that the plant is naturally a shrub, and only becomes a tree when placed in a position to develop aerial roots. But the opinion cannot be maintained in presence of the occurrence of large terrestrial specimens in many localities. I am fully prepared to admit their rarity when compared with the abundance of specimens of epiphytic origin, still the fact remains that in some localities they are frequent enough to attract the special attention of the bushman, who calls this form the “inland pohutukawa,” a designation he also bestows upon symmetrical specimens of true pohutukawa sometimes found in the forest. These terrestrial specimens of the Rata are usually found in comparatively open places in the forest, while the distorted giants which started in life as epiphytes are usually most abundant, and attain their greatest development in the denser parts, a condition which of itself goes far to account for the comparative rarity of terrestrial specimens. Occasionally dwarf specimens exactly resembling the young cultivated plants, except that they produce flowers, are found on elevated rocky places, but the cause of their stunted maturity is self-evident. It is uncertain if the aerial root of the Rata should be considered simply adventitious or as a special development of the original epiphytic root, although I am inclined to believe the latter. In any case the Rata stands alone amongst New Zealand trees in developing stems of large bulk and affording valuable timber from aerial roots.

Manukau Harbour, the Whau portage and creek, and the Waitemata River. Its greatest length, from the Muriwai River to the North Head of the Manukau, is about twenty-two miles; the extreme breadth hardly fourteen. The area may be roughly estimated at 100,000 acres.

The eastern portion of the district is composed of low undulating clay hills, intersected with numerous gullies, and supports a somewhat scanty and very uniform vegetation. The hills are almost invariably covered with a stunted growth of Leptospermum scoparium, intermingled with patches of Pomaderris phylicifolia, and Pteris aquilina, with a more or less dense undergrowth of sedges. Occasionally Leucopogon fasciculatus, Dracophyllum Urvilleanum, and Epacris pauciflora appear; while amongst the whole are found a few herbaceous plants, as Geranium microphyllum, Acœna Sanguisorbœ Lagenophora Forsteri, Gnaphalium involucratum, a few grasses, and some naturalized plants. The banks of the smaller streams, and the bottoms of many of the valleys, are occupied with a close growth of various species of sedges and other uliginal plants. In these localities such forms as Cladium glomeratum, C. teretifolium, Eleocharis gracillima, Typha lalifolia, Drosera binata, Isachne australis, Gleichenia hecistophylla and Lycopodium laterale, are especially common.

The extensive mud-flats bordering the Whau and Waitemata Rivers afford a suitable habitat to the mangrove (Avicennia officinalis), which in many places forms large swamps. Nearer the shore, Juncus maritimus, Cladium junceum, Leptocarpus sim′plex, and Dichelachne stipoides, make a continuous fringe for miles; while among many other littoral plants, Ranunculus acaulis, Salicornia indica, Samolus littoralis, and Plagianthus divaricatus are most abundant.

There can be no doubt that the scanty flora and barren appearance of this portion of the Titirangi district is, in a great measure, owing to the pernicious practice of burning off the vegetation every summer. By the agency of fire the patches of bush found by the sides of the larger streams are yearly diminishing, while in the open country many plants, once probably not uncommon, have now become local, or almost extinct. Extensive areas have even become denuded of nearly all vegetation, except a dwarfed covering of Leptospermum, only a few inches high, with occasional patches of Schœnus tenax. As an illustration of the rapidity with which species are extirpated under a continuance of this practice, I may mention that I well remember seeing, four years ago, the hill sides yellow from the abundance of the blossoms of the kumarahou (Pomaderris elliptica), in a locality where now hardly a single plant can be found, and that only by the closest search.

The central part of the district, or what is generally known as the Titirangi Ranges, exhibits a very different vegetation to that just described, being entirely

covered with luxuriant forest. As to its physical features, it consists of two parallel chains of hills, trending nearly north and south, and separated by an intervening valley. The Nihotopu stream flows through the southern portion of this valley, discharging itself into the Manukau Harbour, while the northern part is occupied by the Waitakere River. Both these streams flow for a considerable distance at an altitude of 800 to 1,000 feet above the sea-level, and descend very abruptly towards the coast; in the case of the Waitakere, by a waterfall upwards of 200 feet high. The greatest elevation in the district, 1,500 feet, is attained by Te Anatuku mountain, immediately above the source of the Waitakere, but for several miles the range maintains an altitude of 1,100 to 1,300 feet.

The prevailing tree is the tawa (Nesodaphne Tawa), which probably forms three-fifths of the forest. Other common species are the hinau (Elœocarpus dentatus), rata (Metrosideros robusta), tangeao (Tetranthera calicaris), Myrsine Urvillei, Pittosporum tenuifolium, the rewa-rewa (Knightia, excelsa) kauri (Dammara australis), and rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum). The greatest altitude reached in the district is not sufficient to exercise any marked influence on the vegetation, a few species are, however, chiefly found on or towards the summit of the range, and among them the following are prominent—Pittosporum Kirkii, Drimys axillaris, Ixerba brexioides, Metrosideros lucida, Olea montana, and Dacrydium Colensoi. Generally speaking, the undergrowth is dense, and principally composed of various species of Gahnia and Astelia, supplejack (Rhipogonum scandens), Freycinetia Banksii, the arborescent ferns, several species of Coprosma, Senecio glastifolius, Myrtus bullata, and, above all, Alseuosmia macrophylla, which occurs in profusion from the sea-level to the crest of the hills. Ferns are abundant, especially in the deep and narrow gullies, where the Hymenophylleœ are particularly well represented, and often of most luxuriant growth, while in many places, although chiefly in the higher central valleys, the ground is carpeted with mosses and Hepaticœ, principally of the genera Hypnum, Isothecium, Hypopterygium, Plagiochila, and Gottschea.

The great abundance of kauri early attracted the notice of sawyers, and I am informed that the first saw-mill worked by machinery in this province was erected in the Titirangi district. After twenty-five years' sawing, few timber trees remain on the eastern side, but extensive forests, almost untouched, exist by the Waitakere River, and a considerable quantity is still to be seen between the Huia Bay and the Manukau Heads. Besides the kauri, the kahikatea (Podocarpus dacrydioides) and the rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum) are extensively sawn, as also in a smaller degree is the totara (Podocarpus Totara) and matai (P. spicata). The tanekaha (Phyllocladus trichomanoides) does not appear to have been cut for its timber, although it is both excellent and durable, while the kawaka (Libocedrus Doniana), and the

manoao (Dacrydium Colensoi) are too local to be ever of any use for economical purposes.

The western coast is extremely rugged and broken throughout its whole length, and presents a bold front to the sea, the cliffs generally being from 200 to 300 feet high, and in one locality at least, near the rocky islet of Parera, they attain a perpendicular height of over 500 feet. Near the Manukau Head, and extending about five miles northwards, a narrow belt of low sand hills may be seen on the seaward side of the cliffs, whilst further north the sea beats against the foot of a rocky coast line, except in a few isolated sandy bays.

The vegetation is principally composed of bush, but there is a considerable extent of open grassy land near the sea. In the forest the species appear to be nearly identical with those in the central part of the district, the principal difference being in the great abundance of Pittosporum ovatum, and the presence of Ozothamnus glomeratus, Myrtus Ralphii, and some others, together with the occurrence near the sea of Sapota costata. The sea cliffs and rocky slopes abound with interesting herbaceous plants, and would probably repay a more careful investigation than I have been able to give them. Among many other species, Celmisia longifolia, Angelica rosœfolia, Cotula, dioica, Spergularia rubra, Tetragonia trigyna, and Myosotis australis are abundant. On the sand dunes the common arenarian plants occur, while by the margins of the lagoons and at the mouths of the streams such forms as Triglochin triandrum, Crantzia lineata, and Myriophyllum pedunculatum are plentifully found.

Owing to the small area of land brought under cultivation, naturalized plants are not so common as in many other districts, and have exercised comparatively little influence on the indigenous vegetation. Still many species are found by road sides and near the sawing stations, and with the progress of settlement their numbers are yearly increasing. At present Hypochœris radicata is the species most generally diffused, unless Cyperus tenellus be considered of foreign origin. The various species of docks, Prunella vulgaris, Veronica serpyllifolia, Trifolium minus, Erigeron canadensis, together with the commoner pasture and forage plants, are also very generally distributed throughout the district.

The subjoined catalogues include about 460 phænogamic plants and ferns, together with nearly 110 naturalized plants. Although the number of indigenous plants noted is considerably larger than has hitherto been recorded from any district of like area, yet it will be materially increased when the central and western subdivisions have been more thoroughly examined.

Lepidium oleraceum, Forst. Two very distinct varieties are found in this district; one, which also appears to be the common form near Auckland, is a procumbent plant, with linear, deeply pinnatifid radical leaves, linear-

spathulate toothed cauline ones, small flowers and pods. The other is a stouter, erect plant, with oblong-spathulate simply serrate radical leaves, 2–4 inches long; cauline leaves obovate-cuneate, serrate at the tips; flowers and pods larger.

Viola filicaulis, Hook. f. This curious little plant is not uncommon by the side of streams, above 800 feet of elevation. I am not acquainted with a more northern habitat.

Melicytus macrophyllus, A. Cunn.? A handsome shrub or small tree, with large deep green leaves 5–9 inches long, and fascicles of rather large campanulate flowers, that are most abundantly produced; is common in many places, and is probably referable to a state of this species. It is, I think, the Melicytus, n. sp., mentioned by Mr. Kirk in the Trans. N.Z. Inst., Vol. I., p. 142.

Pittosporum ovatum, Kirk. A most abundant tree on the western coast, often forming a considerable proportion of the bush.

Pittosporum Kirkii, Hook. f. This fine species is also frequently met with on the higher portions of the ranges, generally epiphytic on Metrosideros robusta. Capsules often 3-valved.

Myriophyllum pedunculatum, Hook. f. Now recorded for the first time as an inhabitant of the North Island. It is of common occurrence on the western coast, generally fringing the brackish water lagoons.

Gunnera prorepens, Hook. f.? A stout, excessively branched, prostrate plant; is found on the west coast, often forming large matted patches in damp sandy places, and is doubtfully referred to this species until better specimens can be obtained. Peduncles very stout and fleshy, covered with numerous bright red pendulous drupes.

Myrtus pedunculata, Hook. f. Rare, and apparently confined to a single locality.

Apium leptophyllum, F. Muell. In February, 1871, I observed a solitary plant of this species near Henderson's Creek, probably accidentally introduced.

Loranthus, n. sp.? A very distinct looking species of this genus has been collected at an altitude of 1,400 feet; parasitic on Metrosideros robusta, but neither flowers nor fruit have been obtained. It is probably identical with Loranthus decussatus, described by Mr. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst., Vol. III., p. 162.

Sapota costata, A.DC. Not uncommon near the Manukau Head. I am not aware that it has been previously found on the western coast of the island.

Myosotis australis, Br. Abundant on the cliffs of the western coast. A most handsome plant, covered, when in blossom, with racemes of large white flowers.

Myosotis Forsteri, Ram. and Sch. Very local, the most northern habitat known to me.

• Pittosporum

• tenuifolium, Banks and Sol.

• crassifolium, Banks and Sol.

• ovatum, Kirk

• eugenioides, A. Cunn.

• cornifolium, A. Cunn.

• Kirkii, Hook. f.

• Stellaria

• parviflora, Banks and Sol.

• Spergularia

• rubra, Pers., var. marina

• Elatine

• americana, Arn.

• Hypericum

• japonicum, Thunb.

• Plagianthus

• divaricatus, Forst.

• Hoheria

• populnea, A. Cunn.

• Entelea

• arborescens, Br.

• Aristotelia

• racemosa, Hook. f.

• Elæocarpus

• dentatus, Vahl.

• Hookerianus, Raoul

• Linum

• monogynum, Forst.

• marginale, A. Cunn.

• Geranium

• dissectum, Linn. var. carolinianum

• microphyllum, Hook. f.

• molle, Linn.

• Pelargonium

• australe, Willd. var. clandestinum

• Oxalis

• corniculata, Linn.

• Phebalium

• nudum, Hook.

• Melicope

• ternata, Forst.

• Mantellii, Buch.

• simplex, A. Cunn.

• Dysoxylum

• spectabile, Hook. f.

• Pomaderris

• elliptica, Lab.

• phylicifolia, Lodd.

• Dodonæa

• viscosa, Forst.

• Alectryon

• excelsum, DC.

• Corynocarpus

• lævigata, Forst.

• Coriaria

• ruscifolia, Linn.

• Carmichælia

• australis, Br.

• Sophora

• tetraptera, Ait.

• Rubus

• australis, Forst.

•    b. schmidelioides

•    c. cissoides

• Acæna

• Sanguisorbæ, Vahl

• Novæ Zelandiæ, Kirk

• Quintinia

• serrata, A. Cunn.

• Ixerba

• brexioides, A. Cunn.

• Carpodetus

• serratus, Forst.

• Weinmannia

• silvicola, Banks and Sol.

• Tillæa

• verticillaris, DC.

• Drosera

• binata, Lab.

• auriculata, Backh.

• Haloragis

• alata, Jacq.

• tetragyna, Lab. var. diffusa

• depressa, Hook. f.

• micrantha, Br.

• Myriophyllum

• variæfolium, Hook. f.

• pedunculatum, Hook. f.

• Gunnera

• monoica, Raoul

• prorepens, Hook. f.?

• Callitriche

• Muelleri, Sond.

• Leptospermum

• scoparium, Forst.

• ericoides, A. Rich.

• Metrosideros

• florida, Sm.

• lucida, Menz.

• albiflora, Banks and Sol.

• diffusa, Sm.

• hypericifolia, A. Cunn.

• Metrosideros—continued.

• robusta, A. Cunn.

• tomentosa, A. Cunn.

• scandens, Banks and Sol.

• Myrtus

• bullata, Banks and Sol.

• Ralphii, Hook. f.

• pedunculata, Hook. f.

• Eugenia

• Maire, A. Cunn.

• Fuchsia

• excorticata, Linn. f.

• Epilobium

• nummularifolium, A. Cunn.

• rotundifolium, Forst.

• glabellum, Forst.

• tetragonum, Linn.

• junceum, Forst.

• pubens, A. Rich.

• Billardierianum, Seringe

• pallidiflorum, Sol.

• Passiflora

• tetrandra, Banks and Sol.

• Mesembryanthemum

• australe, Sol.

• Tetragonia

• expansa, Murr.

• trigyna, Banks and Sol.

• Hydrocotyle

• elongata, A. Cunn.

• americana, Linn.

• asiatica, Linn.

• pterocarpa, F. Muell.

• Novæ Zelandiæ, DC.

• moschata, Forst.

• Crantzia

• lineata, Nutt.

• Apium

• australe, Thouars

• filiforme, Hook.

• leptophyllum, F. Muell.

• Angelica

• rosæfolia, Hook.

• Daucus

• brachiatus, Sieb.

• Panax

• Edgerleyi, Hook. f.

• crassifolium, Dcne, and Planch.

• Lessonii, DC.

• arboreum, Forst.

• Schefflera

• digitata, Forst.

• Griselinia

• lucida, Forst.

• Corokia

• buddleoides, A. Cunn.

• Cotoneaster, Raoul

• Loranthus

• decussatus? Kirk

• micranthus, Hook.

• Tupeia

• antarctica, Cham. and Schl.

• Alseuosmia

• macrophylla, A. Cunn.

• linariifolia, A. Cunn.

• Coprosma

• lucida, Forst.

• grandifolia, Hook. f.

• Baueriana, Endl.

• robusta, Raoul

• Cunninghamii, Hook. f.

• n. sp.

• spathulata, A. Cunn.

• tenuicaulis, Hook. f.

• rhamnoides, A. Cunn.

• divaricata, A. Cunn.

• propinqua, A. Cunn.

• acerosa, A. Cunn.

• Nertera

• Cunninghamii, Hook. f.

• dichondræfolia, Hook. f.

• Galium

• umbrosum, Forst.

• Olearia

• furfuracea, Hook. f.

• Cunninghamii, Hook. f.

• albida, Hook. f.

• Solandri, Hook. f.

• Celmisia

• longifolia, Cass.

• Vittadinia

• australis, A. Rich.

• Lagenophora

• Forsteri, DC.

• petiolata, Hook. f.

• sp.

• Bidens

• pilosa, Linn.

• Cotula

• coronopifolia, Linn.

• australis, Hook. f.

• minor, Hook. f.

• dioica, Hook. f.

• minuta, Forst.

• Cassinia

• leptophylla, Br.

• Ozothamnus

• glomeratus, Hook. f.

• Gnaphalium

• Keriense, A. Cunn.

• luteo-album, Linn.

• involucratum, Forst.

• collinum, Labill.

• Erechtites

• arguta, DC.

• scaberula, Hook. f.

• quadridentata, DC.

• Senecio

• lautus, Forst.

• glastifolius, Hook. f.

• Brachyglottis

• repanda, Forst.

• Sonchus

• oleraceus, Linn.

• Wahlenbergia

• gracilis, A. Rich.

• Lobelia

• anceps, Thunb.

• Pratia

• angulata, Hook. f.

• Selliera

• radicans, Cav.

• Gaultheria

• antipoda, Forst.

• Cyathodes

• acerosa, Br.

• Leucopogon

• fasciculatus, A. Rich.

• Frazeri, A. Cunn.

• Epacris

• pauciflora, A. Rich.

• Dracophyllum

• latifolium, A. Cunn.

• squarrosum, Hook. f.

• Urvilleanum, A. Rich.

• Myrsine

• salicina, Heu.

• Urvillei, A. DC.

• Samolus

• littoralis, Br.

• Sapota

• costata, A. DC.

• Olea

• Cunninghamii, Hook f.

• lanceolata, Hook. f.

• montana, Hook. f.

• sp.?

• Parsonsia

• albiflora, Raoul

• rosea, Raoul

• Geniostoma

• ligustrifolium, A. Cunn.

• Myosotis

• australis, Br.

• Forsteri, Rœm. and Sch.

• Convolvulus

• sepium, Linn.

• Tuguriorum, Forst.

• Soldanella, Linn.

• Dichondra

• repens, Forst.

• Solanum

• aviculare, Forst.

• nigrum, Linn.

• Gratiola

• latifolia, R. Br.

• sexdentata, A. Cunn.

• Glossostigma

• elatinoides, Benth.

• Limosella

• aquatica, Linn. var. tenuifolia

• Veronica

• salicifolia, Forst.

• macrocarpa, Vahl

• elongata, Benth.

• Rhabdothamnus

• Solandri, A. Cunn.

• Vitex

• littoralis, A. Cunn.

• Avicennia

• officinalis, Linn.

• Myoporum

• lætum, Forst.

• Mentha

• Cunninghamii, Benth.

• Plantago

• Raoulii, Dcne.

• Chenopodium

• glaucum, Linn. var. ambiguum

• Suæda

• maritima, Dum.

• Salicornia

• indica, Willd.

• Scleranthus

• biflorus, Hook. f.

• Polygonum

• minus, Huds. var. decipiens

• aviculare, Linn.

• Muhlenbeckia

• adpressa, Lab.

• complexa, Meisn.

• Rumex

• flexuosus, Forst.

• Tetranthera

• calicaris, Hook. f.

• Nesodaphne

• Tarairi, Hook. f.

• Tawa, Hook. f.

• Atherosperma

• Novæ Zelandiæ, Hook. f.

• Hedycarya

• dentata, Forst.

• Knightia

• excelsa, Br.

• Persoonia

• Toro, A. Cunn.

• Pimelea

• longifolia, Banks and Sol.

• virgata, Vahl

• arenaria, A. Cunn.

• prostrata, Vahl

• Santalum

• Cunninghamii, Hook. f.

• Euphorbia

• glauca, Forst.

• Epicarpurus

• microphyllus, Raoul

• Parietaria

• debilis, Forst.

• Elatostemma

• rugosum, A. Cunn.

• Peperomia

• Urvilleana, A. Rich.

• Piper

• excelsum, Forst.

• Dammara

• australis, Lamb.

• Libocedrus

• Doniana, Endl.

• Podocarpus

• ferruginea, Don

• Totara, A. Cunn.

• spicata, Br.

• dacrydioides, A. Rich.

• Dacrydium

• cupressinum, Sol.

• Colensoi, Hook.

• Phyllocladus

• trichomanoides, Don

• Earina

• mucronata, Lindl.

• Earina—continued.

• autumnalis, Hook. f.

• Dendrobium

• Cunninghamii, Lindl.

• Bolbophyllum

• pygmæum, Lindl.

• Sarcochilus

• adversus, Hook. f.

• Acianthus

• Sinclairii, Hook. f.

• Cyrtostylis

• oblonga, Hook. f.

• rotundifolia, Hook. f.

• Corysanthes

• triloba, Hook. f.

• oblonga, Hook. f.

• rotundifolia? Hook. f.

• rivularis, Hook. f.

• macrantha, Hook. f.

• Cheesemanii, Hook. f.

• Microtis

• porrifolia, Spreng.

• Caladenia

• minor, Hook. f.

• Pterostylis

• Banksii, Br.

• graminea, Hook. f.

• trullifolia, Hook. f.

• puberula, Hook. f.

• Chiloglottis

• cornuta, Hook. f.

• Thelymitra

• longifolia, Forst.

• pulchella, Hook. f.

• imberbis, Hook. f.

• Prasophyllum

• pumilum, Hook. f.

• Orthoceras

• Solandri, Lindl.

• Libertia

• ixioides, Spreng.

• graudiflora, Sweet.

• micrantha, A. Cunn.

• Freycinetia

• Banksii, A. Cunn.

• Typlia

• latifolia, Linn.

• Sparganium

• simplex, Huds.

• Lemna

• minor, Linn.

• Triglochin

• triandrum, Mchx.

• Potamogeton

• natans, Linn.

• Zostera

• marina, Linn.

• Rhipogonum

• scandens, Forst.

• Cordyline

• australis, Hook. f.

• Banksii, Hook. f.

• Pumilio, Hook. f.

• Dianella

• intermedia, Endl.

• Astelia

• Cunninghamii, Forst.

• grandis, Hook. f.

• Solandri, A. Cunn.

• Banksii, A. Cunn.

• n. sp.

• Arthropodium

• cirrhatum, Br.

• Phormium

• tenax, Forst.

• Colensoi, Hook. f.

• Areca

• sapida, Sol.

• Juncus

• maritimus, Lam.

• communis, E. Mey.

• planifolius, Br.

• bufonius, Linn.

• Luzula

• campestris, DC.

• Leptocarpus

• simplex, A. Rich.

• Cyperus

• ustulatus, A. Rich.

• tenellus, Linn.

• Schœnus

• axillaris, Hook. f.

• tenax, Hook. f.

• Tendo, Banks and Sol.

• tenuis, Kirk

• Scirpus

• maritimus, Linn.

• lacustris, Linn.

• Eleocharis

• sphacelata, Br.

• acuta, Br. var. platylepis

• gracillima, Hook. f.

• Isolepis

• nodosa, Br.

• prolifer, Br.

• riparia, Br.

• Desmoschœnus

• spiralis, Hook. f.

• Cladium

• glomeratum, Br.

• teretifolium, Br.

• articulatum, Br.

• Gunnii, Hook. f.

• junceum, Br.

• Sinclairii, Hook. f.

• Gahnia

• setifolia, Hook. f.

• n. sp.

• lacera, Steud.

• xanthocarpa, Hook. f.

• arenaria, Hook. f.

• Lepidosperma

• tetragona, Lab.

• concava, Br.

• Uncinia

• australis, Pers.

• Banksii, Boott

• Carex

• virgata, Sol. b. secta

• subdola, Boott

• ternaria, Forst.

• Raoulii, Boott

• lucida, Boott

• pumila, Thunb.

• Forsteri, Wahl.

• sp.

• breviculmis, Br.

• Neesiana, Endl.

• dissita, Sol.

• Lambertiana, Boott

• vacillans, Sol.

• Microlœna

• stipoides, Br.

• avenacea, Hook. f.

• Hierochloe

• redolens, Br.

• Spinifex

• hirsutus, Lab.

• Paspalum

• scrobiculatum, Linn.

• distichum, Bur.

• Panicum

• imbecille, Trin.

• Isachne

• australis, Br.

• Zoysia

• pungens, Willd.

• Echinopogon

• ovatus, Pal.

• Dichelachne

• stipoides, Hook. f.

• crinita, Hook. f.

• sciurea, Hook. f.

• Sporobolus

• elongatus, Br.

• Agrostis

• æmula, Br.

• Billardieri, Br.

• quadriseta, Br.

• Arundo

• conspicua, Forst.

• Danthonia

• semi-annularis, Br.

• Trisetum

• antarcticum, Trin.

• Glyceria

• stricta, Hook. f.

• Poa

• anceps, Forst.

• Festuca

• littoralis, Br.

• Bromus

• arenarius, Lab.

• Triticum

• multiflorum, Banks and Sol.

• scabrum, Br.

• Gleichenia

• circinata, Swartz var. hecistophylla

• Cunninghamii, Hew.

• flabellata, Br.

• Cyathea

• dealbata, Swartz

• medullaris, Swartz

• Smithii, Hook. f.

• Dicksonia

• squarrosa, Swartz

• Hymenophyllum

• Tunbridgense, Sm.

• n. sp.

• multifidum, Swartz

• rarum, Br.

• dilatatum, Swartz

• Javannicum, Spreng.

• polyanthos, Swartz var. sanguinolentum

• demissum, Swartz

• scabrum, A. Rich.

• æruginosum, Carm.

• Lyallii, Hook. f.

• flabellatum, Lab.

• Trichomanes

• reniforme, Forst.

• Trichomanes—continued.

• strictum, Menz.

• elongatum, A. Cunn.

• humile, Forst.

• venosum, Br.

• Davallia

• Novæ Zelandiæ, Col.

• Lindsæa

• linearis, Swartz

• Lessoni, Bory

• trichomanoides, Dryand.

• Adiantum

• hispidulum, Swartz

• affine, Willd.

• æthiopicum, Linn.

• Cunninghamii, Hook.

• fulvum, Raoul

• Hypolepis

• tenuifolia, Bernh.

• distans, Hook.

• Cheilanthes

• tenuifolia, Swartz var. Sieberi

• Pellæa

• rotundifolia, Forst.

• Pteris

• aquilina, Linn. var. esculenta

• tremula, Br.

• scaberula, A. Rich.

• incisa, Thumb.

• macilenta, A. Rich.

• Endlicheriana, Agardh.

• Lomaria

• filiformis, A. Cunn.

• procera, Spreng.

• fluviatilis, Spreng.

• membranacea, Col.

• vulcanica, Blume

• lanceolata, Spreng.

• discolor, Willd.

• nigra, Col.

• Frazeri, A. Cunn.

• Doodia

• media, Br.

• Asplenium

• obtusatum, Forst.

• lucidum, Forst.

• flabellifolium, Cav.

• falcatum, Lam.

• Hookerianum, Col.

• bulbiferum, Forst.

• flaccidum, Forst.

• Acacia

• lophantha, Willd.

• Amygdalus

• pessica, Linn.

• Rubus

• fruticosus, Linn.

• Fragaria

• vesca, Linn.

• Rosa

• rubiginosa, Linn.

• canina, Linn.

• multiflora, Thunb.

• Lythrum

• hyssopifolium, Linn.

• Petroselinum

• sativum, Linn.

• Daucus

• carota, Linn.

• Sherardia

• arvensis, Linn.

• Erigeron

• canadense, Linn.

• Bellis

• perennis, Linn.

• Matricaria

• Chamomilla, Linn.

• Chrysanthemum

• leucanthemum, Linn.

• Senecio

• vulgaris, Linn.

• scandens, Linn.

• Osteospermum

• moniliferum, Willd.

• Carduus

• lanceolatus, Linn.

• Lapsana

• communis, Willd.

• Hypochæris

• radicata, Linn.

• Cichorium

• Intybus, Linn.

• Helminthia

• echioides, Gœrt.

• Sonchus

• oleraceus, Linn.

• Taraxacum

• dens-leonis, Desf.

• Anagallis

• arvensis, Linn

• Vinca

• major, Linn.

• Erythræa

• centaurium, Pers.

• Solanum

• tuberosum, Linn.

• Physalis

• peruvianum, Linn.

• Veronica

• arvensis, Linn.

• agrestis, Linn.

• serpyllifolia, Linn.

• Mentha

• piperita, Linn.

• viridis, Linn.

• Stachys

• arvensis, Linn.

• Prunella

• vulgaris, Linn.

• Plantago

• major, Linn.

• lanceolata, Linn.

• Rumex

• viridis, Sibth.

• obtusifolius, Linn.

• crispus, Linn.

• acetosa, Linn.

• acetosella, Linn.

• Euphorbia

• peplus, Linn.

• Ficus

• Carica, Linn.

• Iris

• germanica, Linn.

• Agave

• americana, Linn.

• Colocasia

• antiquorum, Scholl.

• Richardia

• africana, Kunth.

• Phleum

• pratense, Linn.

• Phalaris

• canariensis, Linn.

• Holcus

• lanatus, Linn.

• mollis, Linn.

• Agrostis

• vulgaris, With.

• Cynodon

• dactylon, Linn.

• Digitaria

• sanguinalis, Scop.

• Anthoxanthum

• odoratum, Linn.

• Aira

• caryophyllea, Linn.

the number of species, and by far outnumber them in the abundance of each kind. The rapidity with which foreign plants become naturalized in New Zealand is indeed a most surprising and extraordinary circumstance, and of great interest to every colonist, as it must be quite evident to every observer that the introduction of these European plants will certainly result in the extermination of the indigenous flora, and that at no very distant period of time.

The indigenous Flora seems to have arrived at a period of its existence, when it has no longer strength to maintain its own against the invading races; indeed, every person who has attempted the cultivation of native plants knows how difficult it is to cultivate the most of them, on account of their weakness of constitution. Again the hand of man is busily employed in their extermination—everywhere the forests are being cut down or burnt, the swamps drained, and the grassy plains and valleys broken up and cultivated. Under these combined influences it is evidently utterly impossible that the native plants can survive. Already a few of the rarer species are nearly extinct, and nothing can save our fine forests from destruction but the most rigid preservation by the Government.

It will be seen from the list of species that most of the plants enumerated are natives of Europe; in fact, most of them are common British weeds. Along the roadsides, for miles from the city of Christchurch, are to be seen such plants as Polygonum aviculare, Stellaria media, Capsella Bursa-pastoris, Sinapis arvensis, and an abundant growth of grasses, the most common of which are Hordeum murinum, Poa annua, Bromus Schraderii, B. racemosus, B. mollis, Lolium (several species), etc. On the hills and waste ground may be found Hypochœris radicata, Carduus lanceolatus, Erodium cicutarium, Anthemis nobilis, Marrubium vulgare, Trifolium repens, which is, perhaps, the commonest plant in Canterbury, Conium maculatum, Daucus Carota, Pastinaca sativum, etc. In wet places we find an abundant growth of the large English docks, Rumex obtusifolius and R. crispus, with the sorrel, R. Acetosella, Ranunculus repens, Galium Aparine, etc.

In the river Avon two plants are found which require more than a passing notice—these are the watercress, Nasturtium officinale, Linn., and Anacharis Alsinastrum. The former was introduced about twenty years ago, and has proved a great nuisance, blocking up the river and adjacent water-courses, impeding drainage so much that the Provincial Government have had to spend large sums of money to keep it down; it grows to an immense size, far exceeding anything ever seen in England. I may here mention that the water cress is very much infested with the cabbage blight, Aphis brassica.

The Anacharis Alsinastrum, a well known and remarkable American aquatic, is now to be found in abundance in the river Avon, where two years

ago it did not exist. It was introduced in the year 1868, and planted in one of the ponds of the Acclimatization Society as shelter for the young trout; unfortunately the plant was by some means conveyed into the river, where it is spreading with astonishing rapidity. Although pistiliferous plants only have been found in the province, the latter fact is, perhaps, of little importance, as every joint will form roots when separated from the parent plant. As it is sure to prove a far greater nuisance than the water-cress, its introduction is much to be regretted, seeing that the Avon and other small streams must be kept clear for drainage purposes. The spread of this plant over Britain during the last twenty years is one of the most curious and interesting problems that has come under the notice of living botanists. About the year 1850 it was found in a pond in the centre of England, and was then supposed to be indigenous; shortly afterwards it was found in many distant localities, and was proved to be naturalized, the mode of its migration being still a mystery. It is now common all over Britain, and has, in many instances, impeded navigation in rivers and canals, and interfered with the working of water-mills. In most of those places efforts have been made to eradicate it, but with very little success. The Anacharis is greedily eaten by swans, ducks, and other water birds, but this circumstance, instead of being advantageous, is quite the contrary, as small portions of the plant are carried away by these birds and transplanted to other rivers. It will, indeed, be an extraordinary circumstance if this remarkable plant should become as common in New Zealand as it is in Britain.

Conium maculatum, Linn., the hemlock of England, is to be found in considerable quantities in the neighbourhood of Christchurch, where it was sown in the year 1865 by an herbalist, who, unfortunately, cannot be punished for the injury he has done the province by the introduction of this very poisonous plant.

I see that Polygonum aviculare is considered by Mr. Kirk to be indigenous to New Zealand, but, after nine years' study of the native Flora, I feel compelled to differ from him in this matter. The plant is spreading very rapidly in this province, more especially along the roadsides, where the seeds are carried in the mud on cart wheels, etc.

In conclusion, I beg to remind the botanists in the Middle Island that now is the time to determine the date of introduction of foreign plants into the country.

The following abbreviations are used in the list of species:—a. for Agrestal, plants of cultivated land; aq. for Aquatic, plants growing in rivers, etc.; p. for Palustral, plants of swamps, etc.; s. for Sylvestral, plants growing in woods; v. for Viatical, plants of waysides and waste places.

The following numerals are used to indicate the order of abundance in which the species are found:—1, 2, 4, 6.

• 1—Is used to intimate that of the species so marked only occasional individuals are found.

• 2—That the species is found in greater abundance than 1, but still not common.

• 4—That the species is common in some localities, but does not interfere to any great extent with the native Flora.

• 6—That the species are very abundant, and rapidly taking the place of native plants.

The date of introduction is also given when known.

The derivation of the plants is Europe, unless otherwise stated.

List of Species.

• Ranunculus

• acris, L., v., 4

• repens, L., v., 4

• bulbosus, L., a., v., 2

• Nasturtium

• officinale, L., aq., 6

• Barbarea

• præcox, Br., a., v., 4

• Capsella

• Bursa-pastoris, L., a., v., 6

• Lepidium

• sativum, L., a., 2

• Alyssum

• maritimum, Willd., v., 2

• Cochlearia

• armoracia, L., a., 1

• Sinapis

• arvensis, L., v., a., 6

• Brassica

• Napus, L., v., a., 2

• Rapa, L., a., 1

• oleracea, L., v., a., 2

• campestris, L., a., 1

• Raphanus

• sativus, L., a., v., 1

• Viola

• tricolor, L., v., a., 6

• Gypsophila

• tubulosa, Boiss., v., 4

• Silene

• quinquevulnera, L., Asia, a., v., 6

• noctiflora, L., a., 4

• Stellaria

• holostea, L., v., 4

• media, v., etc., 6

• Cerastium

• vulgatum, L., v., a., 6

• Spergula

• arvensis, L., a., 2

• Githago

• segetum, Lam., v., a., 4

• Dianthus

• barbatus, Asia, s., 1

• Malva

• rotundifolia, L., a., 2

• Lavatera

• arborea, L., a., 2

• Erodium

• cicutarium, L., v. 6

• moschatum, L., v., 4

• Linum

• usitatissimum, L., v., a., 2

• Ulex

• europæus, L., v., a., 6

• Cytisus

• scoparius, Lk., v., a., 6

• capensis, Africa, v., a., 4

• Trifolium

• repens, L., v., a., 6

• pratense, L., v., a., 4

• minus, Sm., v., 6

• medium, L., a., 4

• procumbens, L., a., 2

• Melilotus

• leucantha, Asia, a., v., 4

• Medicago

• lupulina, L., a., 2

• maculata, L., v., a., 1

• Onobrychis

• sativa, Lam., a., 1

• Lotus

• corniculatus, L., a., v., 6

• major, Scop., v., 2

• Vicia

• hirsuta, L., v., a., 4

• sativa, L., v., a., 4

• Lathyrus

• latifolius, L., a., 4

• Rubus

• fruticosus, L., v., 1

• rudis, Wehe., v., 1

• Idæus, L., v., 2

• Rosa

• rubiginosa, L., v., 4

• Prunus

• avium, L., s., 1

• cerasus, L., s., 2

• Pyrus

• mains, L., s., 1

• Geum

• urbanum, L., a., v., 4

• Potentilla

• anserina, L., v., a., 6

• fragariastrum, Ehr., a., 1

• Fragaria

• vesca, L., s., 4

• elatior, Ehr., s., 2

• Amygdalus

• persica, L., Asia, s., 2

• Œnothera

• stricta, L., v., a., 4

• Ribes

• grossularia, L., s., 4

• Petroselinum

• sativum, L., a., 4

• Apium

• graveolens, L., a., v., 2

• Daucus

• Carota, L., a., v., 4

• Pastinaca

• sativum, a., v., 4

• Conium

• maculatum, L., v., a., 4

• Sambucus

• nigra, L., s., 2

• Galium

• aparine, L., v., a., 4

• Helianthus

• tuberosus, L., America, v., 2

• Erigeron

• canadense, L., America, etc., v., 4

• Bellis

• perennis, L., a., v., 4

• Bidens

• pilosa, L.? Asia, etc., a., 1

• Anthemis

• nobilis, L., v., a., 4

• Achillea

• millefolium, L., v., 4

• rubra, 1866, v., 4

• Chrysanthemum

• leucanthemum, L., a., 4

• segetum, L., v., 1

• Senecio

• vulgaris, L., v., 6

• Carduus

• lanceolatus, L., a., v., 6

• benedictus, L., a., 2

• marianus, 1869, v., 2

• Matricaria

• Chamomilla, L., a., 4

• Artemisia

• Absinthium, L., a., v., 4

• Tragopogon

• porrifolius, L., v., 2

• minor, Fries., v., 2

• Centaurea

• solstitialis, L., v., a., 4

• Lapsana

• communis, L., v., 4

• Hypochæris

• radicata, L., v., etc., 6

• glabra, L., 1865, v., etc., 6

• Sonchus

• oleraceus, L., v., etc., 6

• Taraxacum

• dens-leonis, Desf., v., 6

• Gnaphalium

• luteo-album, L., v., 4

• Erythræa

• centaurium, Pers., a., 2

• Ligustrum

• vulgare, L., v., 4

• Echium

• vulgare, L., v., a., 4

• Myosotis

• arvensis, Hoff., v., 4

• Solanum

• nigrum, L., v., etc., 6

• tuberosum, L., v., 4

• Verbascum

• Thapsus, L., v., 4

• Veronica

• arvensis, L., v., 4

• officinalis, L., v., 2

• saxatilis, L., v., 2

• Verbena

• officinalis, L., v., a., 4

• Lamium

• album, L., s., 1

• Mentha

• viridis, L., p., v., 4

• piperita, L., v., 4

• Marrubium

• vulgare, L., a., 6

• Anagallis

• arvensis, L., a., 4

• Prunella

• vulgaris, L., a., 4

• Plantago

• lanceolata, L., v., 6

• major, L., v., 6

• media, L., v., 4

• Polygonum

• aviculare, L., v., etc., 6

• convolvulus, L., a., 1

• fagopyrum, Sm., 1866, a., 2

• Rumex

• obtusifolius, L., p., 6

• crispus, L., p., 6

• acetosa, L., a., 6

• acetosella, L., v., 6

• Clenopodium

• urbicum, L., v., 6

• album, L., v., 6

• Bonus-Henricus, L., v., 2

• Euphorbia

• peplus, L., a., 4

• helioscopia, L., a., 4

• Urtica

• urens, L., v., 4

• dioica, L., v., 2

• Humulus

• Lupulus, L., 1865, a., 4

• Anacharis

• alsinastrum, 1870, America, aq., 4

• Asparagus

• officinalis, L., a., 2

• Phleum

• pratense, L., v., a., 6

• Alopecurus

• pratensis, L., v., a., 4

• agrestis, L., v., a., 4

• Phalaris

• canariensis, L., v., 6

• Holcus

• lanatus, L., v., 6

• mollis, L., v., 4

• Anthoxanthum

• odoratum, L., v., 6

• Panicum

• glaucum, L., Asia, v., 2

• colonum, L., Asia, v., 2

• sanguinale, L., v., 4

• Agrostis

• vulgaris, With., a., 4

• alba, L., a., 2

• Avena

• sativa, L., Asia, a., 4

• fatua, L., a., 1

• Arrhenatherum

• avenaceum, Beauv, a., 4

• bulbosum, Lind., a., 4

• Poa

• trivialis, L., a., 4

• annua, L., v., 6

• nemoralis, L., a., v., 4

• pratensis, L., v., 6

• var. angustifolia, a., 4

• Briza

• minor, L., v., 4

• maxima, L., v., 2

• Cynosurus

• cristatus, L., a., 4

• Dactylis

• glomerata, L., v., 6

• Festuca

• duriuscula, L., v., etc., 6

• bromoides, L., a., 6

• ovina, L., a., 4

• pratensis, L., a., 2

• rubra, L., v., 2

• Bromus

• sterilis, L., v., 4

• erectus, Huds., v., 4

• mollis, L., v., 6

• racemosus, L., v., 6

• asper, L., v., 4

• madritensis, L., 1864, v., 4

• unioloides, Kth., 1866, America, v., 6

• Schræderi, Kth., 1866, America, v., 6

• Lolium

• perenne, L., v., 6

• temulentum, L., v., 4

by your attaching the common names to the inclosed list, and returning it at your earliest convenience.”

In short, your Committee asked generally for the assistance of all persons interested in the furtherance of the important subject they had undertaken.

The answers to the appeal of your Committee were but very few, and those contained (with one important exception to be afterwards referred to) only expressions of regret at being unable to furnish the information asked for. The only information received as to the common names, either English or Maori, was from Mr. Colenso, of Hawkes Bay, who states that, “As to the Maori names of grasses (in the printed list), the smaller ones are all known as Patiti; No. 3, Hierochloe redolens, has a separate name, and is called Karetu.”

Your Committee, in expressing themselves as above, do not wish to be understood as implying censure on any of the gentlemen to whom they addressed themselves, for apathy in the matter, for they have reason to believe that in most cases the cause why the circulars were not returned was, that the settlers to whom they were sent were unable to identify the grasses by their technical names; and as the Committee, as before stated, were unable to give the common names in the circular, there thus arose almost a deadlock between the parties.

The above general statement of the course adopted and its results will, your Committee are convinced, go far towards indicating the causes of the imperfect success attained in that branch of the inquiry to which the Society attached peculiar interest, viz., the acquiring a more perfect knowledge of the properties of, and the best means of utilising, the indigenous grasses of the colony.

Before leaving this part of their report, your Committee wish, in connection with their native grass circulars, to advert particularly to the one exception before alluded to. That exception is a valuable contribution from Mr. Thomas Kirk, of Auckland. Besides returning the tabulated form with the desired replies as to the grasses therein named which are natives of Auckland, and giving additional information on other native grasses of that province not mentioned in your Committee's list, and some of which are probably peculiar to the North Island, Mr. Kirk accompanied his reply with some interesting specimens of indigenous grasses, and also a comprehensive and valuable paper on the progress and condition of exotic grasses in the province of Auckland. (Appendix A. to this Report.)

The dried specimens above mentioned consist of Microlœna stipoides, Zoysia pungens, Isachne australis, and Sporobolus elongatus, and came to hand in a good state of preservation.

In his letter accompanying these contributions, and addressed to the chairman of your Committee, Mr. Kirk, after many kindly expressions of interest

in the work on hand, and apologies for delay arising from severe illness, goes on to remark: “I have filled up the form as well as I could; for, as to the indigenous grasses of the province, you will observe that the most valuable kinds with you take but a secondary place here, whilst those of most service to us do not come so far south as Canterbury. I have added rough notes on the chief cultivated and naturalised grasses in this province (Auckland), as it is evident that good permanent pasture can not be made by native grasses alone, although several species are of great value when mixed with the ryegrasses, fescues, and meadow grasses of Europe.” Again: “Severe frosts are unknown north of the Auckland isthmus, and we have no hills so high as 3,000 feet even, except on the south and south-eastern extremity of the province, so that little can be said of the effects of frost on altitude.” Mr. Kirk concludes by courteously volunteering his further services in any way that can advance the work on hand, and asking your Committee to kindly send him in return specimens of any indigenous grasses of Canterbury—“especially,” he says, “those marked on your list, so as to ascertain any divergence in nomenclature.”

Your Committee, sensible of Mr. Kirk's ready kindness, desired their chairman to convey to that gentleman their thanks for, and great appreciation of, his valuable contributions. In addition to which, Mr. Armstrong (a member of your Committee), in comformity with his request, forwarded to him a selection of such specimens (35 in number) of the native grasses of Canterbury as he thought most desirable and acceptable, and has now an additional number in course of preparation.

The information given by Mr. Kirk your Committee strongly recommend should be printed in extenso, both on account of its intrinsic value, and because it chiefly refers to the province of Auckland, which is so far distant from Canterbury, that it is quite possible the same grasses may occupy different positions relatively in the two places.

Finally, Messrs. J. F. and J. B. Armstrong have furnished your Committee with a series of notes on 42 grasses indigenous to the province of Canterbury, which your Committee are persuaded will prove of great value and interest. (Appendix B. to this Report.)

At the commencement of this season, your Committee sent out a few circulars (with tabulated lists as before), requesting information upon 21 exotic grasses, and they are glad to be able to report that three of these have been returned, with much valuable information filled in. The Committee is indebted for these to Messrs. S.D. Glyde, M. Dixon, and J. C. Boys, three gentlemen who have had considerable experience in grasses.

To facilitate comparison, the replies and remarks furnished by the abovenamed gentlemen in the returned circulars have been thrown into a synoptical

luxuriance in the autumn, but affording a continuous yield; prefers moist soils, but has considerable power of adaptation.

Gastridium lendigerum, Beauv. Nit-grass.—Has been introduced with seeds of other grasses, and has become naturalized in many places. Yields a large quantity of seed, but comparatively little herbage.

Agrostis vulgaris, L. Common Bent.—Naturalized in many places, often found amongst cultivated grasses. Yields a large quantity of herbage, which attains its maximum before flowering. A valuable and hardy grass, although not affording such heavy yields as the Fiorin grass, A. alba b. stolonifera.

Holcus mollis, L.

" lanatus, L.

Soft Bent grasses.—Of no value to the cultivator, but, unhappily, having acquired the name of Soft Fescue in this province, the seed is collected and sown by inexperienced settlers, to their certain loss and disappointment.

Setaria italica, P. de Beauv.—A strong growing grass, affording an immense yield of coarse herbage and seed, has become naturalized in waste places, roadsides, etc., and is always eaten by cattle; prefers moist places.

Poa pratensis, L. Common Meadow grass.—If I were instructed to select the one most valuable grass as yet introduced into this province, my choice would fall upon this. It adapts itself to every variety of soil and situation—in shade in the Domain grounds it makes a dense sward, and gives a remarkably large yield—in the adjoining pasture it is of equal value—it grows freely on stiff clays, and may be seen “clearing-out” other grasses in scoria paddocks—affords a large yield of nutritious herbage—resists frost and drought. It is naturalized in many places in the province, is spreading freely, and would come into more general cultivation but for the difficulty experienced in obtaining clean seed.

P. annua, L.—Abundantly naturalized, yields a short but dense crop of rather watery herbage, which soon dies off. Of no value to the cultivator.

P. trivialis, L. Rough Meadow grass.—A valuable grass alike for pasturage and hay; flowers early, and is most nutritious when the seed is ripe. Very serviceable on shaded land and open forest. I have never seen it in cultivation in Auckland, although it is sparingly naturalized, but being closely cropped by cattle does not increase.

Briza minor, L. Small Quaking-grass.—An annual grass of little value, abundantly naturalized here, and yields a considerable quantity of light herbage in the early spring.

Dactylis glomerata, L. Cock's foot grass.—A rather coarse but nutritious grass, yielding a large return, and perhaps better than any other kind commonly sown in the north for resisting the attacks of caterpillar. It has the disadvantage, however, from its coarse growth, of killing off rye-grass, and

other weak growing kinds which may be sown with it. In the North it is usually relied upon for the staple, especially on bush paddocks.

Cynosurus cristatus, L. Crested Dog's-tail.—A valuable grass, especially for rather dry soils, and ought to be generally grown. Makes with Poa pratensis and Lolium perenne first-class pasturage on the scoria land about Auckland, and on ordinary soils in the Waikato.

Festuca, bromoides, L.—An annual grass, and abundantly naturalized, but of little value.

Festuca ovina, L. Sheep's Fescue.

" rubra, L. Reddish Sheep's Fescue.

Valuable grasses, especially on sheep-runs, but so rarely cultivated here as to form no appreciable portion of the pasturage.

Bromus erectus, Hud.

" commutatus, Schrad.

" mollis, L.

" racemosus, L.

Brome grasses.—Not cultivated here so far as I am aware, but naturalized to a greater or lesser degree, and eaten by cattle. B. commutatus is perhaps the most valuable. B. mollis is (on Dr. Schomburgh's authority) cultivated with advantage in South Australia, both for green fodder and hay.

Avena sativa, L. Oat.—Abundantly cultivated for green fodder, hay, and grain; naturalized in many parts of the province.

Lolium perenne, L. Rye-grass.—A well known and valuable grass, adapted to a wide range of soil and situation, but in the North apt to be destroyed by caterpillar. Commonly naturalized.

L. Italicum, A. Braun.—Occasionally cultivated with clover, etc., and sparingly naturalized. A valuable grass, but less capable of resisting drought and caterpillar than the last.

Cynodon Dactylon, Pers. Dog's-tooth.—Abundantly naturalized from the North Cape to Cambridge, and without question the best grass we have for resisting drought. Makes a compact sward, and is much eaten by cattle.

Anthoxanthum odoratum, L. Sweet Vernal grass.—Everywhere, both naturalized and cultivated. Grows quickly, affording a short but very dense crop; of most value early in the season. As is well known, imparts the peculiar fragrance to newly mown hay.

Eragrostis Brownii, Kunth.—An abundant naturalized grass at Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, producing a large quantity of slender herbage, which is greedily eaten by cattle. Chiefly grows amongst tea-tree, etc., and found also near Auckland, but not plentiful. I am inclined to think highly of this grass for cultivation in the North, but am doubtful as to its capability of resisting frost. Appears to prefer poor stiff clays, on which it attains great luxuriance.

Ceratochloa unioloides, P. de Beauv. Prairie grass.—Not cultivated in this province to any extent, but has become largely naturalized. Affords a very heavy yield, but on the whole appears better adapted for fodder than pasturage. When young it is eaten by cattle with avidity, but is usually passed over when old. Would probably possess greater value in Canterbury than in this province, as it roots deeply, and is able to endure a considerable amount of drought.

Stenotaphrum glabrum. Buffalo grass.—A smooth, stout-growing, procumbent grass; a great favourite with sheep, horses, and cattle, even when associated with rye-grasses and other ordinary cultivated kinds. It is rare here at present, but will, I anticipate, prove of great value, especially for planting on our clay tea-tree hills. At present it has not seeded freely, but may be expected to do so.

I regret my inability to give either native or settler's names of the native grasses, as requested. Very few indeed of our northern natives have any knowledge of the old native names, and my residence in the colony has been but short. Hierochloe redolens, and the more valuable Isachne australis, are alike called “Swamp-grass” by the settlers. Sporobolus elongatus is generally known as “Rat's-tail grass” as far south as Lake Taupo; but at Port Waikato it is called “Chilian-grass,” as it is erroneously supposed to have been introduced with the so-called “Chilian groundsel” Erigeron canadensis, a plant which appears to have been brought to this colony with grass seed from South America. I am not aware that other native grasses have received special names in this province, The common names for introduced grasses are applied in a somewhat arbitrary manner, which has occasionally proved a source of loss and vexation.

Several of the native-grasses, as Microlœna stipoides, Danthonia semiannularis, Agrostis æmula, etc., maintain their ground against, and unite with, several of the introduced kinds in the formation of natural pasture in many places in this province. The kinds just mentioned may often be seen mixed with Agrostis vulgaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, etc., and especially with the little Yellow Suckling, Trifolium minus, forming large patches of gradually extending herbage amongst the tea-tree about Auckland. Some paddocks on the west side of the city appear to have been spontaneously formed in this way, although they have been improved by the depasturing of cattle.

The common red and white clovers, and the various medicks, with other forage plants, are largely naturalized in the province, and yield a large quantity of grateful food. On the volcanic hills about Auckland the toothed and spotted medicks, Medicago denticulata and M. maculata, yield largely in winter and early spring; the yarrow (Achillea Millefolium) is occasionally

* Dichelachne crinita.—Found in waste lands and neglected cultivations; useful in spring and autumn; flourishes in disturbed soil; a good grass for waste places, but inferior to many others.

Agrostis canina. Brown Bent grass.—Prefers moist soil; useful in summer and autumn; is affected by drought; a valuable grass for stock, and is increasing; only found in the Auckland district as a cultivated plant.

* Agrostis œmula.—Common at sea-level to 2,000 feet; flowers October to January; useful in spring and summer; affected by drought; is a serviceable grass, but less valuable than A. canina.

* Agrostis quadriseta.—Common at sea-level to 1,500 feet on rich land; flowers November to February; useful in spring and summer; affected by drought; is a serviceable grass, but also less valuable than A. canina, and produces less herbage.

Danthonia Cunninghamii. Snow-grass.—A local grass, found at sea-level to 1,200 feet on moist land; affected by drought.

* Danthonia semi-annularis.—Abundant at sea-level to 2,000 feet; flowers continuously, and prefers disturbed soil; is a valuable grass, and is increasing. The variety formerly known as D. cingula, is a useful grass, and appears to deserve the attention of the cultivator.

Trisetum antarticum. Oat-grass.—A local grass, widely distributed; found from sea-level to 1,500 feet in dry soil; flowers October to January; useful in spring and summer; is affected by drought; a valuable grass.

Poa breviglumis.—Found in many localities at sea-level, on sandy soil; flowers October to January; useful spring to autumn; resists drought; is a valuable grass; ought to be generally cultivated on sandy soils.

Poa anceps. Soft Meadow grass.—Abundant from sea-level to 2,000 feet; found on moist soil; flowers November to February; useful spring to autumn; resists drought; a valuable grass, but not equal to P. pratensis.

Poa australis. Soft Meadow grass.—A local grass; highly nutritious; ought to be generally cultivated.

Triticum multiflorum.

" scabrum. Rough wheat grass.

Found at sea-level; flower from October to January: useful in spring and summer; useful grasses; increasing slowly.

The above grasses are contained in the list circulated by the Committee. The following are not named therein:—

Microlœna stipoides, Br.—Is found from North Cape to Upper Waikato, at low elevations; a highly valuable grass, much and greedily sought after by sheep, horses, and cattle; one of the most valuable we have; is becoming mixed up with cultivated grasses, and is increasing; resists drought, but would probably not resist frost.

7. Zoysia pungens, Willd.—A small matted grass; growing on sand-hills in the neighbourhood of the sea; would be useful for fixing loose sand. Flowers in November.

8. Echinopogon ovatus, Pal.—A tall slender grass of no agricultural importance; common in woods on Banks Peninsula. Flowers in November.

9. Dichelachne crinita, Hook. f.—A valuable grass, much eaten by horses, cattle, and sheep, forming good pasture and producing abundance of food. Flowers in December.

10. Apera arundinacea Hook. f.—A tall, reed-like, very beautiful grass; its agricultural qualities are quite unknown; found by the Hon. J. Hall on an island in the Rakaia.

11. Agrostis œmula.

12. " pilosa.

13. " canina.

14. " avenoides.

Are abundantly distributed on the plains and on the Alps; they are much alike in character, being valuable cattle and sheep grasses.

15. Agrostis Billardieri, Br.—A dwarf broad-leaved grass, found on sandhills and rocks near the sea; much eaten by cattle and horses. Flowers in December.

16. Agrostis setifolia, Hook. f.—A very small tufted species, found on the Alps; value unknown; produce small.

17. Agrostis parviflora, Br.

18. " quadriseta.

Are both common on the Alps and some parts of the plains, and are of little value.

19. Agrostis Youngii, Hook. f.—Found on the Alps by Dr. Haast; somewhat like A. avenoides, and probably similar in quality.

20. Arundo conspicua, Forst.—A very beautiful species; it is the largest New Zealand grass, and is grown in British gardens for ornamental purposes.

21. Danthonia Cunninghamii, Hook. f.

22. " flavescens, Hook. f.

23. " Raoulii, Steud.

These are large coarse grasses, called snow-grasses. They are eaten by horses, and are used for thatching.

24. Danthonia semi-annularis, Br.—Common throughout the province, and so closely cropped by cattle and horses that we had considerable difficulty in obtaining specimens.

25. Deschampsia cœspitosa, Pal.—A tall grass, very common on the banks of the Avon below Christchurch; of no value. Flowers in December and January.

26. Kœleria cristata, Pers.—A beautiful grass, common on the plains and Malvern Hills; one of our best pasture grasses, eaten by sheep, cattle, and horses.

27. Trisetum antarcticum, Trin.—A first-rate grass, slender, tufted, and very beautiful; Banks Peninsula; not common. Flowers in November and December.

28. Trisetum subspicatum, Pal.—A small alpine grass, rare in Canterbury, but more common in Otago; eaten by sheep and cattle; found in all quarters of the globe.

29. Trisetum Youngii, Hook. f.—A tall slender grass, found by Dr. Haast in the Macaulay Valley; probably good.

30. Glyceria stricta, Hook. f.—Common near the Sumner estuary; perhaps a good spring grass. The British G. fluitans is abundant in the Avon, and is perhaps indigenous. It is an excellent grass for cattle and aquatic birds.

31. Poa imbecilla, Forst.—Common in the open bush on Banks Peninsula, where it forms a dense green sward, producing a large quantity of good herbage, eaten by cattle and sheep.

32. Poa breviglumis, Hook. f.—A small tufted grass, producing a large quantity of food; common in several places near Christchurch. Flowers in November and December.

33. Poa foliosa, Hook. f.

34. Poa australis, Br., var. lœvis.

These two species are common in the Alps and low hills. They are both tufted, and are very good pasture grasses.

35. Poa anceps, Forst.—This is the common tussock-grass of the Plains and Port Hills.

36. Poa Colensoi, Hook. f.

37. " Lindsayi, Hook. f.

Are alpine pasture grasses, of considerable merit for sheep feeding.

38. Festuca duriuscula, Linn.—The hard fescue; a small and valuable grass found all over the world in alpine pastures. November and December.

39. Triticum multiflorum, Banks and Sol.—A tall coarse-looking perennial grass, very nearly allied to, if not the same as, the British T. repens, L.; it is of no agricultural value, and is common everywhere. Flowers in December.

40. Triticum scabrum, Br.—The blue-grass of settlers; a valuable grass found in many countries; in Canterbury it grows at an elevation of five to six thousand feet, and is certainly one of the best native grasses.

41. Triticum Youngii, Hook. f.—This was found by Dr. Haast, and is described as a remarkable species, with few spikelets and very long rigid awns; if it is perennial it will probably prove a useful cattle grass.

4. Phleum pratense. Timothy.—Altitude 80 feet; thrives in moist rich clay; flowers from beginning of January to March; useful spring, summer, and autumn; resists drought badly, but will stand any amount of wet; everything ravenous after it; the finest grass in the world and the most nutritive; most valuable in consequence of not spreading; is decreasing; no pasture land should be without it, although everything from the sheep to the caterpillar is so fond of it, which is why I place it fourth as to value.—Boys.

Altitude 500 feet; very good on wet, good in all soils; flowers three weeks in February; very good summer grass; likes moisture and good land; very valuable feeding grass; does not resist frost well; will increase in suitable localities.—Dixon.

5. Cynosurus cristatus. Crested Dog's-tail.—Altitude 80 feet; thrives in moist rich clay; flowers from middle of December to middle of February; useful summer and autumn; resists drought well; third grass in value; resists frost well; is increasing; forms a nice sward, and thrives on the wet as well as on the dry banks.—Boys.

Altitude 500 feet; good in all soils, very good in dry; flowers second week in January; good all the year round; resists drought well; is increasing; will increase on the native grasses; forms a valuable mixture.—Dixon.

6. Anthoxanthum odoratum. Sweet-scented Vernal.—Altitude 80 feet; thrives in moist rich clay; flowers in middle of October, and seed is all shed by middle of December; useful spring grass; I should place it about twentieth on the list as to value; increasing in the paddock in which it was sown, but does not seem to spread over the farm; not a good grass, throws scarcely any feed, but gives the hay a sweet scent, and is very early.—Boys.

Altitude 500 feet; thrives in all soils; flowers first week in November; useful winter and spring; resists drought very well; valuable as a mixture; resists frost very well; is increasing; will increase on the native grasses.—Dixon.

7. Festuca pratensis. Meadow Fescue.—Altitude 80 feet; thrives in moist rich clay; a useful summer grass; fifth in value on the list; resists frost pretty well; is increasing; it is one of the best grasses for permanent pasture, and forms a good sward.—Boys.

Altitude 500 feet; thrives in all soils; flowers second week in January; useful spring, summer, and autumn; resists drought very well; valuable mixture; is increasing; should not think it would increase with heavy stocking.—Dixon.

8. Festuca ovina. Sheep's Fescue.—Altitude 500 feet; thrives as sheep pasture in all soils; flowers first week in January; useful in winter and all the year round; resists drought very well; valuable mixture; resists frost very well; is increasing, and forms close undergrowth.—Dixon.

9. Festuca heterophylla. Various leaved Fescue.—Altitude 500 feet; thrives in dry sheep pastures; flowers first week in January; resists drought very well; valuable mixture; resists frost very well; is increasing, and forms close undergrowth.—Dixon.

10. Festuca duriuscula. Hard Fescue.

11. " rubra. Red Fescue.

12. " tenuifolia. Fine leaved Fescue.

Altitude 500 feet; all thrive on dry sheep pastures; flower first week in January; useful all the year round; resist drought very well; are valuable as mixtures; stand frost very well; are increasing. The special variety will adapt itself to any particular soil where it is sown, and will become duriuscula, ovina, or rubra, according to the poverty of the land or otherwise.—Dixon.

13. Poa pratensis. Smooth-stalked Meadow grass.—Is found about the side walks, Christchurch; altitude 15 feet; thrives in dry rich sandy loam; flowers from 15th November to end of December; useful in early summer; resists drought and frost well; valuable on dry soil, but useless in a stiff wet soil; increasing about Christchurch; forms a close bottom, but patchy; value on list No. 7 or 8.—Boys.

Altitude 500 feet; thrives in dry soil, but good in all; flowers second week in January; useful all the year round; resists drought and frost very well; valuable mixture; stock very fond of it; is increasing; will grow anywhere.—Dixon.

14. Poa trivialis. Rough-stalked Meadow grass.—Altitude 500 feet; thrives on strong soil; flowers third week in January; useful all the summer; resists drought well, and frost very well; stock are not fond of it; cannot speak as to its increase or decrease; stock would eat it after every other.—Dixon.

15. Poa nemoralis. Wood Meadow grass.

16. " nemoralis sempervirens. Hudson Bay Meadow grass.

“I have not been able to distinguish the particular varieties.”—Dixon.

17. Alopecurus pratensis. Meadow Fox-tail.—Altitude 80 feet; thrives on moist rich clay; flowers in November; useful spring grass; stock like it; it is a most valuable meadow grass; is increasing; is absolutely necessary for good permanent pasture ground.—Boys.

Altitude 500 feet; it likes good land, but has done well on medium; flowers early in November; useful spring and summer; forms a valuable mixture; stock very fond of it; stands frost very well; is increasing; will be a very useful grass on the best pastures in New Zealand; resists drought as well as most grasses.—Dixon.

18. Holcus lanatus. Yorkshire Fog.—Altitude 80 feet; thrives on wet peaty land; flowers in November; useful winter grass; is only valuable as