332 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1949 
shown on the accompanying map, figure 2.” The following char- 
acterizations are largely derived from Cockayne’s publications and 
the writer’s personal observations. Only a few of the many outstand- 
ing species are here mentioned. 
Northwest of North Cape lies the seldom-visited Three Kings Dis- 
trict composed of a small group of islands with this name. Their 
flora includes 10 species of plants not found elsewhere in New Zea- 
land, 6 of which are obviously related to New Zealand species, 3 have 
relatives only toward the north, and 1, a species of Chloris (Gramin- 
eae), is of almost cosmopolitan affinity, although not found elsewhere 
in New Zealand. The impoverishment of this flora by introduced 
grazing animals, especially goats, and its recovery after these were 
removed is an interesting study with significant implications for other 
likewise devastated areas. These Islands have recently been treated 
botanically by Oliver (23) and Baylis (8). 
In the North and South Auckland Districts there are more than 100 
species of plants which do not occur farther south, or extend only a 
short distance beyond the southern limit at approximately the 38th 
parallel. The kauri tree has already been mentioned in this connec- 
tion. The taraire (Beilschmeidia taraire), usually the dominant tree 
in the kauri forest, does not go farther south as does the other impor- 
tant kauri associate, the tawa (B. tawa). Several ferns are found 
only here, as well as the parasite Cassytha paniculata (Lauraceae), 
which resembles, but is no relative of, the dodder (Cuscuta) of wide 
distribution. This parasite genus occurs in the Pacific area, Australia, 
and the gumlands of northern North Auckland. It is a hazard to 
walking wherever it grows as it binds together the manuka and other 
shrubs by dull green resistant cords. An interesting phenomenon is 
the occurrence on the small islands adjacent to these districts of 
species or varieties similar to those on the main island, but with larger 
leaves, flowers, or fruits, among other differing characters. These 
islands are difficult to reach, but one can often find these distinct 
plants growing in private gardens, nurseries, and parks where enthusi- 
astic New Zealand botanists grow them. Several species have their 
northern limit in the South Auckland district, one being the silver 
beech (Nothofagus menziesii). Although there are no natural grass- 
lands in this area, there are extensive man-made pastures with certain 
distinct plant species, mostly grasses. The mild climate makes it 
possible to grow certain citrus fruits and other subtropical crops with 
success. 
¥ After this map was prepared Cockayne and Allan (8) proposed an additional district, the Sounds-Nelson 
Botanical District, comprising the South Island portion of the Ruahine-Cook District, which formerly 
straddled the Cook Strait. This district was recognized in Cockayne’s larger work (7), which is followed 
in this survey, but which does not have a map suitable for reproduction here. 
