1'LAXTS OF FRESH WATER, SWAMPS, AND BCHIS. 109 



SWAMP VEGETATION. 



A journey on any of the New Zealand main lines shows the traveller 

 that sw r amps are a very common feature of the landscape, for they 

 can be recognised at a glance by the dense growth of phormium or 

 raupo (Typha angusti/olia) and by those most curious plants, the 

 niggerheads (Carex secta). Formerly, too, the scene was enlivened 

 by that fine bird, the pukeko (Porphyrio melanotus), gay with red legs 

 and bill and blue breast. Before the days of settlement these swamps 

 were much more extensive, but some of those reported as being un- 

 drainable by the early surveyors now bear rich crops of grain or 



" roots.' 



Besides the New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) and the raupo 

 (Typha angustifolia) many other plants occur in swamps. The manuka 

 has been mentioned in an earlier article. Other arborescent growths 

 are the palm-lily (Cordyline australis) and Coprosma propinqua. Very 

 characteristic is the niggerhead (Carex secta}, a species of sedge which 

 builds for itself tall and stout ' trunks ' ' out of its dead roots and 

 root-stocks, from the summit of which, like shock-heads of hair, the 

 long leaves droop. In such a position the plant is raised high above the 

 water of the swamp, having thus made for itself a dry position very 

 much better for its well-being. On the ' trunk ' of the sedge, the 

 fern Blechnum capense finds a congenial home, as well as some small 

 native plants e.g., the marsh - pennyworts, species of Hydrocotyle. 

 Swamps are rich in several species of willow-herb, of which the beauti- 

 ful Epilobium paUidiflorum and the very tall E. erectum need mention. 

 Two buttercups, Ranunculus macropus and E. rivularis, are common, 

 the latter being easily distinguished by its finely cut floating leaves. 

 Here is also the home of the sedge family, to which the so-called 

 ' cutty-grasses ' belong. 



Swamps are of considerable economic importance in New Zealand. 

 The manufacture of fibre from phormium- ' New Zealand hemp," 

 as it is now called has become one of the staple industries of the Do- 

 minion. At present P. tenax is not cultivated, except for ornamental 

 purposes, the wild supply being sufficient. But this will not last for 

 ever. As the swamps are drained, the supply of flax diminishes. The 

 old Maoris were experts in its manufacture, and recognised varieties 

 much more suitable for their mats, &c., than the rank and file of the 

 flax-plants. To such they gave special names. Now what the unin- 

 structed Maori did could be performed much more thoroughly bv 



