FERN-CRUSHING 169 



as Microelena stipoides and Danthonia semiannularis, species seem- 

 ingly created for such lands as Tutira, able to survive alternate 

 smothering by fern and blackening by fire. On points, peaks, tops, 

 and ridge - caps, surfaces where the ground was hard naturally or 

 had been stamped into solidity by traffic, these native species 

 appeared to have established themselves. Where formerly two or 

 three plants had been gathered together, now small congregations 

 remained to pray. 



During this third period there began, in fact, an insurrection 

 of aliens and natives alike against bracken, their ancient oppressor 

 and tyrant. Among the insurgents, manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) 

 was not the least forward. Its seed-capsules mature when the plant 

 is but three or four years old ; they are produced in enormous pro- 

 fusion ; the seeds germinate freely ; the plant is able to draw nourish- 

 ment from the most arid of soils. Often it is rather scorched than 

 utterly destroyed by fires that consume the bracken. If it be not 

 true that its capsules, like those of some of the eucalypts, open only 

 after fire, it is at any rate noticeable that they expand then most 

 freely. The plant's rapid growth offers this further advantage, no 

 small benefit either, that seed is blown abroad or shaken out from 

 an elevation of six or eight feet. Manuka is, in a word, a plant pre- 

 eminently fitted to survive on lands such as those of the trough of 

 the run. It now began to colonise the paddock, straying from its 

 original sites, appearing about pig-rootings, along sheep-tracks, but 

 especially taking possession of open ridges and peaks now clear of 

 bracken. Other less rapacious settlers also appeared. A small densely 

 rooting heath, patotara (Leucopogon Frazeri), during this third period 

 began to colonise suitable localities. A native Carrot (Daucus brachi- 

 atus), a little Chickweed (Stellaria media), and a low-growing Michael- 

 mas Daisy ( Vittadinia australis), stepped down from their banishment 

 on the cliffs. The Fern-flower or Sundew (Drosera binata), the little 

 orchid (Microtis porrifolia), vacated the barren ridges on which perforce 

 they had been confined. Other species like the native Thyme (Pimelea 

 Icevigata) and the alien Horehound (Mdrnibium vulgare) selected small 

 holdings about the camps. A Broom (Carmichcelia odorata) made a 

 brave bid too for certain special sites. Eat's-tail (Sporobolus indica) 

 proved itself able to thrive on a light diet. Hare's-foot clover (Trifoliwm, 

 arvense) appeared here and there. A species of Groundsel (Senecio 



