200 Transactions. 



Lake and Kiver. 



Of tlie plants occurring in or about lakes and rivers we may make two 

 classes — viz., those that grow on muddy banks, M^hich as a rule fall naturally 

 under the head of swamp-plants ; and, secondly, those which germinate in 

 the mud at the bottom, and rise up to produce flowers and fruit on the 

 surface. And yet it is not at all possible to lay down hard-and-fast rules 

 on this point, for the plants of the mud-banks not infrequently grow entirely 

 submerged, and those of more aquatic habits are often found in drier situa- 

 tions, usually, however, in a more or less depauperated condition. 



On the margins of lakes and rivers where the soil is muddy most of the 

 swamp-plants — raupo, flax, sedges, &c. — are found. In addition are Glosso- 

 stigma elatinoides (often forming dense matted patches), Elative americana, 

 CalUtriche verna, and vadous forms of Epilohium. 



In the beds and at the sides of inland creeks the rocks which rise above 

 the water form the habitat of Epilohium 'peduncular e, in dense dark -green 

 masses, among which not infrequently occur the dainty orchid Corysanihes 

 rotundifolia, with its one leaf and helmet-shaped purple flower, and the little 

 daisy Lagenophora petiolata var. mininin. Here and there occurs the some- 

 what rare Nerfera Cumiinghamdi. Conspicuous on many of these creeks, 

 among the rocks, occur the graceful plumes of the tall grass Arundo fulvida, 

 closely allied to the beautiful and larger Arundo conspicua, so characteristic 

 of the coast. 



Of the more or less submerged plants the most common are forms of 

 Myriophyllum and Potamogeton. Entirely submerged are the various forms 

 of the order Characeae, chiefly species of Nitella. 



Along the banks of tidal creeks the tall Scirpus niaritimus is a prominent 

 object, and at their mouths, among mud-banks, are found mangroves. 



Sea Cliff and Beaches.' 



Among the more prominent plants on or near the sea cliffs and beaches 

 may be mentioned the pohutukawa {Metrosideros tomentosa), whose brilliant 

 crimson flowers make the coast-line beautiful in early summer, giving to this 

 plant the name of Christmas-tree ; the karaka, whose fruit formed a great 

 addition to the food of the old-time Maori ; the tawapou {Sideroxylon 

 costatum), sometimes called the New Zealand olive, from the resemblance 

 of its fruit to that of the olive (the true New Zealand olive is the maire — 

 Olea). Here and there along the coast is found Fuchsia procumbens, a 

 graceful little plant, differing from all its congeners in the flowers being- 

 upright instead of drooping. In a few places are found the rare Coprosma 

 Kirhii, which will probably become extinct within the present generation. 



Among smaller plants, very conspicuous are Cladium Sinclairii, a sedge 

 with broad ensiform leaves and large drooping brown panicles ; Cassinia 

 retorta, Pimelia arenaria, Olearia jurfuracea, and more rarely Olearia angulota, 

 all bearing white flowers. 



Among the herbs may be mentioned the wild celery {Apiuni prostration), 

 Saniolus repens, Sonchus asper var. littoralis, and Ipomaea pahnata, with its 

 lovely convolvulus-like flowers. 



Among the distinctly arenarian plants are Gunnera arenaria, Tetragonia 

 (New Zealand spinach), Crantzia lineata, TiUaea Sieheriana, &c. Atriplex 

 patula and Salsola Kali are increasing, especially the latter. There is, I 

 think, little doubt as to these species being introduced, though they have 

 become so widely distributed that it is difficult to distinguish these and a 

 few others from aboriginals. 



