130 NEW ZEALAND PLANTS. 



the plant growing rapidly, and extending its prostrate stems over a 

 considerable area. Even on parts of the subantarctic islands the 

 piripiri of that New Zealand plant province (Acaena Sanguisorbae 

 var. antarctica], as was shown in Chapter VIII, becomes abnormally 

 abundant on ground trodden bare by the multitudes of albatroses, 

 the young of which on their way to the sea assist in spreading the 

 " seeds " which have become attached to their feathers. 



Other native plants, though not actually aggressive, hold their 

 own on grazed land owing to certain qualities they possess e.g., 

 species of Geranium (low growth, long roots) ; Oxalis corniculata 

 (low growth, spreading habit, quick germination) ; species of Cotula 

 (low, turf-forming habit and far creeping and rooting stems) ; Senecio 

 bellidioides (rosettes close to ground, wind-borne " seed," deep roots) ; 

 Coriaria ruscifolia* (poisonous, much - spreading underground stem 

 which puts forth shoots when the plant above ground is destroyed 

 by fire). 



The term ' weed ' is evidently merely relative, and depends 

 upon the plant in its relation to man. If we leave the human element 

 out of the question, a weed is simply a living organism, like any other 

 plant or animal, and its habits and structure are entirely for its own 

 benefit, just as are the organs of all animate beings. In itself there 

 is nothing noxious at all, nor in an undisturbed plant society would 

 it react upon its neighbours more than any other plant. 



The flourishing ' ' weed ' of civilisation, so far as the plants with 

 which it comes into contact are concerned, is much the same as is 

 civilised man in relation to the savage. In an environment of wild 

 nature, as a hunter with rude weapons of stone, bone, or wood, and 

 inured to cold and hunger, the latter is in a far better position than 

 the European under like circumstances. But should the civilised 

 man, armed with the arts and under the surroundings of civilisation, 

 come in contact with the savage, the latter is rapidly displaced. 



Nor is the colonisation by introduced plants very different from 

 human colonisation. Some plants, through their special favourable 

 qualities and adaptability in other words, through their power to 

 make the best possible use of their circumstances outdistance their 

 fellows, and establish themselves far and wide, living in great security, 

 and growing with a luxuriance not attainable in their mother-land. 



: This becomes ao't-Tessive in certain localities. 



