LEGUMINOS^ 401 



islands. It is very abundant in many parts of Otago. (Fl., Nov. to 

 Jan.) 



In Euro-pe the flowers are visited by Apis mellifica. 



Vicia gracilis, Loisel 



Found by me in the Taieri Plain, Otago, in 1874, anc ^ identified 

 by Kirk. The species does not seem to have established itself, and 

 has not been found since. 



Vicia hirsuta, S. F. Gray. Common Tare; Hairy Tare 

 First recorded in Hooker's list in 1864. In the Manual (1906) it 

 is stated to be not uncommon on roadsides and in waste places in 

 both islands. (Fl., Nov. to Feb.) 



Vicia Cracca, Linn. Tufted Vetch 



Originally recorded by Kirk as occurring near the Opawa River, 

 Marlborough. I have specimens received from Mr J. B. Armstrong 

 (1919) gathered on roadsides near Christchurch, where, however, it 

 is not very common. (Fl., Jan. to Feb.) 



Vicia sativa, Linn. Common Vetch 



First recorded in Hooker's list in 1864, but probably introduced 

 at an early date into the country. It is now a very abundant plant 

 in cultivated fields, waste places and roadsides. (Fl., Nov. to Jan.) 

 In Europe the flowers are fertilised by B. terrestris, B. hortorum and 

 B. lapidarius. 



Vicia gemella, Crantz (see V. tetrasperma) 

 Recorded by Carse in 1910 as occurring in Mongonui County. 



Vicia lutea, Linn. 



Recorded by W. W. Smith in 1903 as occurring in Ashburton 

 County. 



Vicia narbonensis, Linn. 



First recorded by Kirk in 1867 as occurring at Port Fitzroy in the 

 Great Barrier Island, in considerable quantity. (Fl., Dec.) 



Pisum sativum. Common Pea. 



Cook sowed peas in the gardens in Queen Charlotte Sound in 

 1773, but on returning in November of the same year, it was found 

 that the rats had apparently eaten the plants up. Governor King gave 

 the natives at the Bay of Islands two bushels of peas in 1793. They 

 were probably next introduced by the missionaries (1814 onwards); 

 and Bellingshausen in 1820 once more gave them to the Maoris of 



T. N. Z. 26 



