546 Proceedings. 
and eighty-seven species are common to both countries. All the genera are 
represented by identical species, with the exception of Lygodium, Isoétes and 
Pilularia, but only twenty-one species out of the eighty-seven are restricted 
to the two countries. No endemic genus is found in Australia, but in New 
Zealand the beautiful Lozsoma is limited to the country north of the Hauraki 
Gulf. Hymenophyllacee are sparingly distributed in Australia, but owing to 
the humid climate of New Zealand, are abundant and luxuriant. 
I purposely avoid going into detail on the various matters of debate 
raised by the statement now made, but wil briefly summarize the chief 
conclusions to be drawn :— 
1. That the New Zealand flora is more closely related to the Australian 
than to any other.. Five-sixths of the genera, one-fourth of the species of 
Phanerogamia, and more than one-half of the ferns being identical. 
2. That few or no Australian species have been added to the New Zea- 
land flora, by means of aerial or marine currents. 
9. The direct connection between Australia and New Zealand must have 
ceased (as stated by Professor Hutton from considerations based upon the 
distribution of Animalia), not later than the cretaceous period, or a larger 
proportion of Myrtaces, Proteaces, and other Australian types, would be 
found in the New Zealand flora. 
4. The paucity of Rosaces and Labiate in both countries affords proof 
of the ancient isolation of both floras. 
5. The occurrence of single species of the characteristie genera of either 
country in the other :—e.g., of Celmisia longifolia in Australia :—of Epacris 
purpurascens in New Zealand—affords direct proof of the great antiquity of 
the species, and of its having attained a maximum of stability under the © 
conditions which existed before the disruption of the connection between the 
two countries. | 
Dr. Newman, the President elect, thanked the meeting for the honourable position 
in which it had placed him, and assured the members that the new office-bearers would 
endeavour to do their best for the society during the coming year. 
1. “On Barat or Barata Fossil Words," by J. Turnbull Thomson, 
F.R.G.S., F.R.S.8.A. (Transactions, p. 157.) 
2. “ Notice of the Discovery of Calceolaria repens, Hook. f., and other 
Plants in the Wellington District," by Harry Borrer Kirk; communicated 
by Mr. T. Kirk. (Transactions, p. 466.) 
9. “ Descriptions of new Plants,’ by T. Kirk, F.L.S. (Transactions, 
p. 468.) 
