Cause. — Flora of the Mauku District. 369 



especially in the more open parts, Thelymitra longifolia is 

 especially plentiful, and here and there Prasophyllum pumi- 

 lum is to be found. 



In the frequently occurring swampy patches the most 

 interesting plants are Drosera spathulata, I). binata, Utri- 

 cularia colensoi, U. nova - zelandi.ee, Gratiola peruviana, 

 G. nana, Thelymitra pulchella, Gladiwm capillaceum, Schoenus 

 tenax, and S. carsei. 



In some parts of the Karaka Flat Epacris purpurascens 

 grows freely, and I am informed by Mr. A. T. Urquhart, of 

 Karaka. that this species occurs on his land associated with 

 E. microphylla and E. pulchella. How these Australian 

 species have become naturalised in this district, and as far 

 as I am aware nowhere else in New Zealand, is, I believe, an 

 unsolved problem. It has been suggested that they may be 

 indigenous, but, seeing how remarkably local they are, this 

 seems hardly probable. 



At the mouths of some of the tidal creeks opening into the 

 Manukau Harbour the mangrove, Avicennia officinalis, occurs, 

 and here and there are a few trees of Metrosideros tomentosa. 

 On the bank of a small stream flowing into the Waiau Creek 

 I found, among Leptospermum scrub, Galadenia minor, Gotula 

 minor, Hydrocotyle moschata (a dwarf form), and fine speci- 

 mens of Botrychium ternatum. 



Another favourite picnic spot is Waitangi, near Waiuku. 

 A small creek is here dammed up to drive the wheel of the 

 Waitangi flour-mill ; it then enters the Waiuku arm of the 

 Manukau. Among the more interesting plants growing here 

 may be mentioned Sophora tetraptera, which is by no means 

 common in this district, Dodoncea viscosa, Gyathodes acerosa, 

 Veronica macrocarpa, Gorohia buddleoides, Phebalinm nudum 

 and Gladium sinclairii growing along the cliffs. On a sandy 

 flat I also noted Rammcidus acaulis and Sticeda maritima, 

 and in one spot, among Leptospermum scrub, I found one 

 plant of Epilobium alsinoides, a rare plant in this neigh 

 oourhood. Near here also occur a few small ngaio- trees 

 K Myoporum latum), a species by no means plentiful in this 

 region. 



A favourite excursion of mine is to the west coast. The 

 distance is about eleven miles, and the route lies through 

 the village of Waiuku. A noticeable feature along many 

 parts of the road between Mauku and Waiuku is the great 

 number of young totara-trees. This tree seems to thrive 

 better in the open than almost any other native tree. Not 

 far from the Waitangi School one can hardly fail to notice, 

 in the flowering season, two plants of Metrosideros florida with 

 yellow stamens growing on the edge of a small piece of bush. 

 This form of the species is the late Mr. Kirk's "variety 

 24 



