JUNE. 105 



Country, but, as everyone knows, the seasons are not 

 marked here as they are there. The reason of this is not 

 well known, nor is it apparent at first, thoxigh the follow- 

 ing is perhaps a correct explanation. In the Northern 

 Hemisphere the marks of a comparatively recent glacial 

 period are stamped on all Nature in erratic boulders and 

 striated rocks, in lake basins and deposits of clay ; many 

 plants lose their leaves on the approach of winter, many 

 others die down to the ground, others do not stirvive the 

 winter at all ; many animals also pass through a dormant 

 or hybernating period. In these southern regions the 

 conditions point to a somewhat milder climate in com- 

 paratively recent times. Few New Zealand trees are 

 absolutely deciduous, though several become so in the 

 South Island and in inland regions where the winter frosts 

 are keen, very few die down to the ground, and only a few 

 of the truly indigenous species are annuals. This may or 

 may not be the correct explanation ; it is the only one I 

 can offer. 



II. 



On a bright forenoon one of the pleasantest of the many 

 pleasant walks about Dunedin is across the peninsula from 

 Anderson's Bay to Tomahawk Head. The road climbs 

 along the landward end of the rising ground, and, turning 

 sharply at the little God's Acre which looks out so quietly 

 to the unremembering sea, leads down to the mouth of the 

 lagoon. Most wanderers to the spot turn off to the right 

 as soon as they reach the little bridge at the outlet of the 

 lagoon and wend their way to the little beach which lies 

 under the shelter of Lawyer's Head ; but we will stay 

 on the higher ground and turn our attention for a time 

 to the left. 



Tomahawk Lagoon is a prettily situated sheet of water, 

 and when I first knew it was surrounded at its upper 

 end with bush and scrub, and was fed by more than 

 one perennial stream of clear water. Here we used to 

 gather Lomaria vulcanica and other ferns which are not 

 now to be got without rambling much further afield ; 

 the scrub was noted for the number of "stick insects" 



