Cheeseman. — Contributions to N.Z. Flora. 441 



immediately behind them our knowledge of the vegetation is 

 practically in the same state as it was left by Lyall, more than 

 fifty years ago. It is in this portion of the colony that we may 

 look forward to numerous additions to the alpine flora, and for 

 many fresh observations on the nature and composition of the 

 flora generally. 



A descriptive account of the vegetation of Stewart Island, 

 accompanied by a list of species, would be a boon of the first 

 order to the New Zealand botanist, for up to the present time a 

 partial examination only has been made by Messrs. Thomson, 

 Petrie, and Kirk. 



It would be easy to mention other localities which are still 

 wanting exploration, or are imperfectly known, but enough has 

 been said to show that, although the leading facts of plant- 

 distribution in New Zealand are known, much of the detail has 

 yet to be filled up. It is to country residents, and to local 

 observers generally, that we must look for much of the informa- 

 tion recpiired. 



I. Ranunculace^. 

 Ranunculus insignis, var. lobulatus. 



Dr. C^ockayne proposes to treat this as a separate species 

 under the name of R. lobulatus (Trans. N.Z. Inst., xxxviii, 1906, 

 373). I am only acquainted with it through a single flowerless 

 specimen in Mr. Kirk's herbarium ; but this, as I have stated 

 in the Manual (p. 11), has a very distinct appearance, and I 

 suspect that _ Dr. Cockayne is quite right in the course he has 

 taken. 



III. Crucifer^. 

 Lepidium banksii. 



I am indebted to Mr. J. H. Macmahon for specimens of this, 

 collected in Queen Charlotte Sound. 



V. PlTTOSPORE^. 



Pittosporum cornifolium. 



Mr. H. J. Matthews informs me that this is not uncommon 

 at West Wanganui Inlet, to the south of Cape Farewell. This 

 is the first recorded locality on the west coast of the South 

 Island. 



X. Malvace.^. 

 Plagianthus cymosus. 



According to Mr. H. J. Matthews, this is abundant on the 

 banks of the Pelorus River (Marlborough), between Brownlee's 

 Mill and Canvastown, where it grows intermixed with P. betu- 

 linus and P. diraricatus. 



