CHAPTER II 

 THE AUSTRALIAN CYCADS 



There are only two regions in the world where three 

 genera of cycads may be found growing naturally — 

 Mexico, with Dioon, Ceralozamia, and Zamia, and 

 Queensland in Australia, with Macrozamia, Bowenia, 

 and Cycas. 



On the way to Australia I made only steamer stops 

 at the Sandwich Islands and Fiji Islands, which have 

 no native cycads; but at New Zealand, which is also 

 entirely lacking in cycads, I spent a month in general 

 study and collecting, since it is well known that it has a 

 remarkable flora. The month was well spent. A. P. W. 

 Thomas, professor of botany in the University College 

 at Auckland, immediately put me into contact with the 

 rich flora of that region and went with me on some trips 

 to point out small but important things which might be 

 overlooked. He also gave me directions for reaching 

 and studying the taxad forests of Ohakune and the 

 peculiar hot-springs district about Rotorua. The Kauri 

 Timber Company entertained me for a week in their 

 camp at Owharoa, where I secured an abundance of 

 material and many photographs. Meanwhile various 

 invitations to musical and literary entertainments 

 impressed upon me the fact that, although New Zealand 

 is a very young, a very wealthy, and a very practical 

 colony, she is not neglecting the humanities. 



An American naturally thinks of New Zealand and 

 Australia as near neighbors, doubtless because the maps 



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