24 ISACHNE AUSTRALIS. 



greedily eaten by all kinds of stock. So valuable a grass is worthy of attention by 

 settlers, and, although it might not thrive in the colder parts of the colony, it 

 could, no doubt, be extended over a larger area of the North Island than that to 

 which it is at present restricted. Many of our most valuable indigenous grasses 

 have a very limited distribution, while their cultivation is much neglected, a 

 preference being given to exotic species, apparently from the greater facility with 

 which their seed can be procured by purchase. The difficulty in procuring seeds 

 of our native grasses will not be overcome until a few enterprising settlers 

 commence their cultivation chiefly for the sale of seed, which would certainly 

 prove remunerative. DISTRIBUTION IN NEW ZEALAND : NORTH ISLAND, 

 BAY OF ISLANDS A. Cunningham; AUCKLAND Sinclair ; LAKE 

 TAUPO Colenso ; ISTHMUS OF AUCKLAND, THAMES, NORTH CAPE 

 to WAIKATO, &c. Kirk. 



Reference to Plate XII.: Fig. 1. Plant. 2. Spikelet. 3. Staminiferous 

 floret. 4. Fertile floret. 5. Palea of fertile floret. 6, 0'. Nervation of empty 

 glumes. 7. Nervation of flowering glumes. 8. Nervation of Palea. 9. Scales. 

 10. Ovary, c. 



