CurrsEman.—On Juncus tenuis. 433 
at as an immigrant merely. As it is, the retired nature of the locality, and 
the absence of naturalized species, save one or two of early introduction and 
wide diffusion, are altogether against this view. I also searched in vain for 
the plant in the immediate vicinity of Nelson, where introduced species are 
so abundant. A further argument in favour of its being indigenous lies in 
the fact that in Australia opposite-leaved forms are decidedly rare, and 
would be by no means likely to be introduced. 
The Maitai Valley appears to be well worthy of a careful exploration. 
Among the plants noticed were Metrosideros colensoi, Myrtus ralphii, Myrsine 
montana, and Phyllocladus trichomanoides, I have been unable to find any 
previous record of the occurrence of these species in the South Island. 
Olearia forsteri occurs in the lower part of the valley. Pittosporum rigidum, 
Myrtus obcordata, Scutellaria nove-zealandie, Pimelea gnidia, are all not 
uncommon. Among ferns Aspidium oculatum and Botrychium ternatum 
var. dissectum deserve special mention. 
Art. LXVII.—Notice of the Occurrence of Juncus tenuis, Willd., in New 
Zealand. By T. F. Cuzzseuas, F.L.S. 
[Read before the Auckland Institute, 7th October, 1878.) 
Since the publication of the “ Handbook " several species of Juncus have 
been added to the New Zealand Flora—two of which, J. glaucus, L., and J. 
lamprocarpus, Ehr.—are well-known European plants. I have now to 
record the discovery of Juncus tenuis, Willd., also a common Central 
European and North American species. My specimens were collected in 
January, 1875, near Omano, about 25 miles above Kaihu, on the Northern 
Wairoa River. The plant was abundant in some marshy ground not far 
from the bank of the river; but curiously enough, during the hurried 
examination I was able to make of the Wairoa district, I did not observe it 
either higher up or lower down the river, although suitable localities are 
sufficiently abundant. 
So many European plants are becoming naturalized in the colony that 
additional evidence will be required before Juncus tenuis can be included in 
the list of our indigenous species. It certainly seems improbable that a 
plant with such a wide range in the northern hemisphere should be found in 
New Zealand alone in the southern; but too much stress cannot be placed 
on this argument, as a precisely similar case exists in Carex pyrenaica, which 
no one doubts being a true native of New Zealand. It must be borne in 
mind that our plant is not a native of any part of the British Islands, from 
whence the majority of our naturalized species are derived ; and the locality 
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