448 Transactions.—Dotany. 
Cordyline pumilio, is extremely rare on Waiheke. Sapota costata attains its 
greatest dimensions on Kawau, but is small on Waiheke; while Pittosporum 
tenuifolium, D. crassifulium, and other species are not nearly so frequent on 
Waiheke as on Kawau. | 
Waiheke may be considered to possess a moderately copious flora, 
exhibiting a great amount of luxuriance and vigour, although its most 
important species are far from attaining extreme dimensions, the greatest 
amount of variety as well as the most luxuriant growth being found in the 
deeper portions of the forest, or in sheltered bays by the sea. The least 
amount of variety is found on the open fern or tea-tree lands on the higher 
parts of the island. 
The other islands are of smaller size than Waiheke, the largest not 
comprising more than one-fourth of the acreage of that island. Ponui 
contains 4,726 acres, and presents similar geological features ; its flora is 
less copious than that of Waiheke, its most noticeable feature being the 
abundance of Brachyglottis and other low-growing shrubs. 
Motutapu has an area of 3,728 acres, more than half of which is laid 
down in excellent grass, most of the remainder being manuka or open fern 
land; yet, notwithstanding the unfavourable conditions which exist upon 
this little island, upwards of two hundred and forty species of phenogams 
and ferns were catalogued; about forty-five of these were naturalized plants, 
chiefly of agricultural introduction, the most noteworthy being Myosotis 
colina, Hoffm., which has not been observed elsewhere in the colony, so far 
as I am aware. Nothing in the shape of arboreal vegetation is to be found, 
except in sloping places on the cliffs, and in one or two bays, where magni- 
ficent specimens of the pohutukawa are still to be seen, rarely associated 
with Sapota costata and Corynocarpus lavigata. Ferns are extremely rare, 
and the bulk of the native vegetation is either littoral or ericetal in its 
character. Two native grasses, Trisetum antarcticum and Triticum multiflorum, 
are more plentiful than in other parts of the Auckland district. Motutapu 
consists of sandstones and clays, the former sometimes so regularly strati- 
fied as to present an artificial appearance. 
Motuihi contains about 460 acres, more than half of which is pastu- 
rage. The open, uncleared portion is chiefly covered with manuka or 
fern, and patches of large arboreal vegetation are to be found on the slopes, 
the most important member being the pohutukawa, which attains large 
dimensions. On a charming miniature sandy beach, Dichelachne stipoides, 
Pimelea arenaria, Paspalum distichum, and Sicyos angulatus are plentiful. 
The last-named has not been observed on any other of these islands. 
Of the vegetation of Little Motutapu (Rukino), containing only 450 
acres, and of Pakihi, containing 280 acres, nothing is known, 
