1896] : CURRENT LITERATURE 347 
at a very early stage in the evolution of the agarics, it persisted throughout 
the entire sequence of development in the parallel group of Gastromycetes. 
Among the Phalloidez the semi-liquid product has a decided smell and sweet 
taste, attractive to insects ; “thus the feature which proved a failure in the 
Agaricinez has been an important factor in raising the Phalloidee to their 
present position as head of the fungal subkingdom.’’—J. M. C. ; 
PROFEssOR T. KrrK has long been a student of the New Zealand flora. 
Aside from the great interest which attaches to the flora itself, the influence 
of the presence of man is exceptionally open to study. is phase of the 
subject was presented recently by Mr. Kirk in a presidential address before 
the Wellington Philosophical Society, entitled ‘ The displacement of species 
in New Zealand.”** Many interesting ecological features of this displace- 
ment are presented, some of which deserve mention here. The destruction 
of the great “kauri” forests has resulted in the absolute desolation of the 
areas, It seems that the bushmen fired the dead branches after the logs 
Plants, by European grasses and clovers. In other cases certain native 
8rasses have succeeded in maintaining themselves associated with the for- 
figners, “to the great benefit of the stock-grower.” Special attention 18 
called to the invasion of three species of Epacris, all natives of New South — 
Wales, which have been observed within the Jast thirty or forty your to 
€nter New Zealand and rapidly take possession of large areas. So rapidly 
Were they extending their area in the direction of the prevailing on 
me sh Kirk is convinced that they ‘would be able practically to replace ih 
indigenous Vegetation over the entire area if not interfered with by man. 
3 
Jour. Bot. 34: 338. 1896. 
