NEW ZEALAND—EGBERT H. WALKER 341 
ample, legend says that the tree called karaka (Corynocarpus laevi- 
gata—Coriariaceae) was brought in a canoe about 500 years ago, 
obviously from Polynesia. But this species is not known in Polynesia 
or anywhere else outside of New Zealand except in the Kermadec 
Islands. Possibly it was brought from that group. Another species 
occurs in the New Hebrides and one in New Caledonia. These 
Maori introductions do not seem to have influenced the native vege- 
tation. These people did not greatly alter the environment in favor 
of their introductions, and even when they did do so they usually soon 
abandoned the fields and let the native flora take over again. 
The first definite record of introductions are those mentioned in the 
account of Captain Cook’s second voyage to New Zealand in 1773. 
He brought animals to release, especially goats, and plants to sow, 
because on his first visit he was impressed by the shortage of food 
plants and animals in the country. He wanted to assure a larger 
supply for his future expeditions. Thus he planted gardens and en- 
couraged the natives to tend them and to plant more. On later ex- 
peditions observations were recorded of the few successes and the 
more numerous failures of these ventures. 
Probably few introductions occurred between Cook’s voyages and 
the first regular settlement, which was at Wellington in 1839. It is 
recorded, however, that potatoes were actually exported to Australia 
during this time. Then with the influx of immigrants to New Zealand 
there came accidental weeds, partly with their rough bedding which 
was thrown out with other refuse full of European weed seeds. When 
these settlers gained some leisure from the grinding toil of pioneer 
life, nostalgic longings for the atmosphere of the lovely English 
countryside overcame them. They sent for plants to lend color to 
their new homes, where the native plants were generally so lacking in 
bright flowers. Here were no social class distinctions to keep the 
people from enjoying the sports reserved at home for the privileged 
few. Hence, as New Zealand lacked animals, fish, and game birds 
suitable for sport, deer, hares, rabbits, and other animals were intro- 
duced and released with no thought of the future, except the sport of 
hunting them. Skylarks were brought to make music for settlers’ 
ears, and pheasants to shoot. Soon ‘acclimatization societies” were 
formed to aid in bringing in plants and animals. Enthusiasm rose 
to great heights. Many introductions, according to the records, 
failed time after time; others succeeded all too well and became 
destructive elements in the flora and fauna. The story of the efforts 
of diverse people and groups the world over to introduce plants and 
animals and then to control those that prove harmful is always the 
same. Many well-meaning efforts fail from lack of coordination of 
interested groups and of scientific understanding of the problems 
