THE NATURAL SHRUBBERIES. 53 



ferns (Glcichcnia circinatd and G. dicarpa] form considerable colonies. 

 Everywhere are two rush-like plants (Schoenus brevifolius and S. 

 Tetulo) growing amongst the scrub or forming tussocks. The flat- 

 leaved and -stemmed Lepidosperma l<itcra!c, another of the sedge 

 family, is frequent in places. The dwarf cabbage-tree (ti-rauriki), 

 (Cor-dyUne pumilio), not looking a little bit like its tall relative, is 

 abundant. Formerly its thick underground stem, incorrectly termed 

 & root, was a favourite food of the Maoris. Careful search will reveal 

 quite a wealth of ground- orchids, all of which are interesting, and 

 some pretty. The climbing sundew (Droscra auriculata), which has 

 pretty pink flowers, and who.se tuber beneath the ground allows it 

 to occupy a dry position, is a common plant. The iridaceous plant, 

 turutu (DianeUa intermedia}, a plant with bright-blue berries, is very 

 common. In the far north of the Auckland Provincial District is 

 the curious parasitic plant, Cassytha panicuhita, which entwines 

 tightly other plants, and stretches its cord-like pale-coloured stems 

 just above the surface of the ground from plant to plant, forming 

 veritable entanglements. 



C. paniculata belongs to that remarkable class of plants known as 

 parasites. These are plants which live at the expense of others, to which 

 they are attached. They are provided with special organs for draining 

 the " life-blood " of their unfortunate host. Many, such as the plant 

 in question, have little if any leaf -green, and so are quite incapable 

 of manufacturing their food ; but a number, amongst which must be 

 numbered the New Zealand mistletoes (Tupeia, Elytranthe, &c.), are 

 quite able to manufacture the requisite sugars, but nevertheless 

 maintain entirely the parasitic habit. Parasites must not be con- 

 fused with perching-plants (epiphytes), as is so often done. The 

 latter are lodgers, or guests, who live on the surface of other plants, 

 but do not draw on them for supplies. 



THE CENTRAL HEATH OF THE NORTH ISLAND. 



On the pumice-covered tableland towards the centre of the North 

 Island the heath changes its character. Certain of the northern 

 plants are wanting, and some peculiar to the region, or nearly so, 

 appear. Here is that exquisite shrub, Gaultheria oppositifolia, with a 

 profusion of flowers like a glorified lily of the valley. Here also is 

 a peculiar brownish-leaved shrub of the heath family, Dracophyllum 

 siibulatum. Manuka is, of course, in abundance as usual. 



