CHAP. XXIX.J 419 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



Some Remarks on the Botany of New Zealand. 



IF we estimate the whole area of the three islands of New 

 Zealand to be about 80,600 square miles, or 51,584,000 

 square acres, we shall be astonished to hear that the 

 whole number of plants at present known, including the 

 marine plants, does not amount to more than 632 species. 

 This small number is not perhaps due to our little acquaint- 

 ance with New Zealand and to the want of a sufficient bo- 

 tanical exploration of the country ; for although there is no 

 doubt that some more species will be added when we shall 

 have examined the rugged and snowy mountain- crests of the 

 middle island, yet it appears to me that their number will 

 not materially alter the asserted fact, that, for the extent of 

 its surface, and for the varied localities which it offers to 

 the growth of plants, as mountains reaching above the 

 limits of lasting snow, stony and exposed ridges, burning 

 and extinct volcanoes, valleys and ravines with a fertile soil 

 (where moisture and moderate warmth, so favourable to 

 vegetable life, continually prevail), volcanic table-land, 

 swamps and morasses, downs on the sea-coast, &c., the 

 flora of New Zealand is distinguished by a scantiness of 

 species. In this latter respect the vegetable corresponds with 

 the animal kingdom, which, however, is still more deficient. 

 Several zealous botanists have bestowed their labour on the 

 plants of this country. Captain Cook, in his first voyage, 

 in the year 1769, was accompanied by Sir Joseph Banks 

 and Dr. Solander, who landed at several points of the 

 east coast of the northern island, in Queen Charlotte's 



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