INSULAR FLORAS. 389 



determined, supposing such exists ; but it appears to be an 

 aberrant member of the Boragineae, with strictly opposite 

 leaves and albuminous seeds. 



The smaller islands appertaining to the New Zealand 

 region may be dealt with under two heads, namely, those 

 contiguous to the main islands, and those of a more oceanic 

 character. Space will permit of reference to a very small 

 selection only of those belonging to the former category ; 

 but as the accounts of these small floras are exceedingly 

 interesting, it would not be justifiable to pass them over 

 altogether, especially as they appeared in publications ac- 

 cessible to a comparatively small number of persons. Fore- 

 most comes Stewart Island (2), South Island of the older 

 books and maps, and still of the Colonial Office list, though 

 not of the colonists, who designate the former Middle 

 Island as South Island. Some explanation is necessary, 

 because much confusion has arisen in consequence of this 

 transfer of names. Stewart Island has an area of about 640 

 square miles ; its highest point is about 3200 feet above 

 sea-level, and it is traversed by the forty-seventh parallel of 

 latitude. In this comparatively high southern latitude a 

 most luxuriant vegetation flourishes, including extensive 

 groves of tree ferns, belonging to five different species ; 

 and individual specimens occur up to twenty-five feet in 

 height. In strong contrast to this profuse fern vegetation 

 is the blaze of crimson presented during the months of 

 December and January by the " Rata," Metrosideros lucida. 

 Indeed, from Mr. Kirk's description Stewart Island must 

 be a delightful garden of ferns and flowers. But to return 

 to the more scientific aspect of the subject. So far as at 

 present known, and the island has been by no means 

 thoroughly explored, the flora comprises 380 species of 

 flowering plants and nearly 70 species of ferns and lycopods. 

 The fern vegetation is really marvellously rich, and Mr. 

 Kirk gives reasons for supposing that several other species 

 will yet be discovered. I cannot resist referring to his 

 description of the ' Archdeacon's Cove,' where he found 

 Hymenophyllum pulcherrimwm with fronds between two 



and three feet long, and Todea superba having a stout stem 



27 



