IN NEW ZEALAND. 51 
wooded mountainous range, we descended over fern-land into 
extensive swampy plains. I observed that pest to agricul- 
ture, the large-leaved Rumex, very plentiful here. The na- 
tives say that the Negapuhi tribes (who live in the north 
parts of the island, and with whom they were formerly at 
continual enmity), introduced it in order to spoil their lands. 
I doubt, however, the cause assigned for its introduction 
‘here in the very centre of the island, but not the fuct. At 
Poverty Bay and parts adjacent, the natives assert that the 
seed of this plant was originally sold them by whites for to- 
bacco seed! It is now to be met with in several districts, in 
common with many other noxious European weeds. I have 
often noticed in travelling, certain spots abounding with the 
rankest vegetation, but without a single indigenous plant. 
The new comers appear to vegetate so fast as quite to exter- 
minate and supersede the original possessors of the soil. In 
crossing a very deep and boggy place in the swamp, this 
morning, I again met with that peculiar and pretty little 
leafless, plant already noticed, no. 143, in perfection. I 
found it, however, not a very easy matter to procure speci- 
mens, as it grew only on the deep black mud of the bog ; 
fortunately, I succeeded in gathering some (208), without 
getting very deep into the mud. Here, in the midst of the 
swamp, a beautiful bird,* apparently of the crane kind, rose 
gracefully from among the reeds, and flew slowly around us; 
its under plumage was of a light yellow or ochre colour, with 
dark brown upper feathers. None of my natives knew the 
bird, declaring they had never seen such an one before. 
Leaving the swamp and entering on the plain beyond it, I 
discovered a new and elegant plant of the Orchidee family 
and genus Microtis, possessing a beautiful carmine-coloured 
perianth, with pubescent scape and spike (203). It was, 
however, very scarce, and only grew in one low spot by the 
path-side. Most of the plants had foiron: but I was for- 
* I am inclined to believe that it was a similar bird to the specimen 
herewith sent for the Museum of the Linnæan Society.. 
EZ 
