Smith. — Plants natttralised in the County of Ashhurton. 215 



compare their numbers and development, which should be of 

 great interest half a century hence. When the first colonists 

 arrived the seasons continued for thirty years much more 

 equable and genial than they have been during the remaining 

 period. The land was rich and fresh, which enabled the 

 newly introduced plants to attain to vigour and development 

 probably never attained by previous generations of the 

 species. During the last ten years many species have not dis- 

 played such vigour as formerly, such being probably due to 

 the partial exhaustion of the soil, the modification of the 

 climate under the changed vegetation, and the irruption of 

 other species. 



In recording these notes it is incumbent upon me to state 

 that I have been for years greatly indebted to Mr. G. M. Thom- 

 son, F.L.S., for valued assistance in identifying many of the 

 species for me. The late Professor T. Kirk, P.L.S., also very 

 generously assisted in the identification of many species of 

 grasses in the list. The late Mr. J. F. Armstrong and his son, 

 Mr. J. B. Armstrong, likewise assisted in identifying and 

 naming species submitted to them at different times after I 

 began to study the naturalised plants some years ago. Mr. 

 G. W. Leadley and Mr. C. Reid, former presidents of the 

 Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, when in 

 office did valuable service by urging the farmers of the county 

 to collect exotic plants occurring on their farms and bring 

 them to the rooms of the association. By this means I pro- 

 cured several interesting species which I had not previously 

 collected. Of the deceased botanists I cherish thoughts of 

 their kindness, while to those gentlemen who have assisted as 

 stated I would here express sincere thanks. 



Following is the list of plants collected : — 



Ranunculace^. 

 Ranunculus acris, L., Britain. 



„ sceleratus, L., Britain. 



„ repens, L., Britain. 



„ bulbosus, L., Britam. 



„ arvensis, L., Britain. 



„ parviflorus, L., Britain. 



Aconitum napellus, L., Britain. 

 Aquilegia vulgaris, L., Britain. 

 Delphinium ajacis, Rcichenhach, Europe. 



Papavekace^. 

 Papaver rhoeas, L., Britain. 



„ hybridum, L., Britain. 



„ argemone. 

 Glaucium luteum, L., Britain. 

 Chilidonium majus, L., Britain. 



