40 JOURNAL OF A NATURALIST 
straggling shrub, in habit and general appearance much like 
C. acerosa, doubtless identical with that species; two species 
of Epilobium, one a very beautiful species (188), which I be- 
lieve to be the same as one the leaves of which I had pre- 
viously noticed in the valley of Waiapu, (vide sp. no. . 
10, &c.), the other with densely linear and serrated leaves 
(187) ; different kinds of Graminee (184, 190, 201, this last 
a variety, perhaps, of number 53); a small shrubby Draco- 
phyllum (192) and a Carmichaelia (193). Possibly this Car- 
michaelia may prove identical with that (no. 7 f.) observed 
without flowers or fruit in Waiapu valley. Crossing the. 
water I obtained a very pretty little Polygonum (146), some 
plants of which were so small as not to exceed an inch in 
height, although bearing both flower and fruit. Proceeding 
over the long plain I had seen from the hill-tops, and 
which was exceedingly barren, I got specimens of some 
small Restiaceous ? plants (181, 191), which, with Leucopogon 
Fraseri and the small Polygonum already noticed, comprized 
the vegetation of this very desolate place. Night was fast 
closing around us, and we quickened our pace, although ex- 
cessively tired, in hopes of finding a few sticks wherewith to 
kindle a fire, for none at present appeared within the range 
of our eye-sight. After some time we met with some small dry 
scrub (Leptospermum scoparium) on the bank of the river, 
where we bivouacked forthe night. At a very early hour the 
next morning we recommenced our journey. Crossing the 
rapid river, Rangiteiki, at the end of the plain, (which at the 
fording-place we found to be breast-deep, and which we were 
obliged to eross in an oblique direction, that we might not 
be swept down by its strong current), we travelled over a 
country more sterile, if possible, than that of yesterday. An 
interminable succession of dry and barren hills of lava, 
pumiee, ashes, and other volcanic matter, where the stunted 
vegetation was all but quite burnt up with the long drought, 
afforded a very scanty gleaning to the Botanist. I was 
rewarded, however, with a few new plants in this day's toil- 
some march. A fine species of erect Cardamine (138) was 
