A hintkiches kh Ob. Y 
OF 
BOTANICAL DISCOVERY IN NEW ZEALAND. 
THE history of botanical discovery in New Zealand falls naturally 
and conveniently into two periods of almost equal duration. The 
first commences with the year 1769, in which Cook made his first 
visit, and closes with the establishment of British supremacy and 
the commencement of systematic colonisation in 1840. During the 
seventy-one years comprised between these dates, many voyages of 
discovery or survey in the South Pacific were undertaken by the 
British, French, or American Governments, during most of which New 
Zealand was visited. And, as naturalists or collectors were usually 
attached to these expeditions, it was through them that our first 
knowledge of the flora was obtained. During the same series of 
years several travellers of scientific attainments also visited New Zea- 
land, such as the two Cunninghams, Diefienbach, Bidwill, &c., all of 
whom formed collections of considerable importance. This period 
may therefore be appropriately called the period of investigation by 
visitors from abroad. That extending from 1840 to the present time 
can be just as correctly styled the period of investigation by naturalists 
resident in the colony. 
Commencing with the voyages, the first in order of time, as well 
as in degree of importance, is Cook’s first visit (1769-1770). For full 
details concerning this celebrated expedition, which has been well 
said “to have been the most momentous voyage of discovery that 
has ever taken place, for it practically gave birth to the great Aus- 
tralian Colonies,” I must refer the reader to Hawkesworth’s “‘ Cook’s 
Voyages,” Wharton’s transcript of Cook’s journal, and Hooker’s 
“ Journal of Sir Joseph Banks.” For the purposes of this work the 
following sketch will be sufficient. Cook’s ship, the “ Endeavour,” 
left England on the 26th July, 1768. For that period, she was un- 
usually well equipped for scientific work. Sir Joseph Banks, one of 
the leading naturalists of his time, and a man of much influence and 
