174 Essays. 
Never having had an opportunity of botanizing in the Provinces of 
Canterbury or Otago, I have felt unable to meet that portion of the Com- 
missioners' request which embraces a comparative view of the floras of the 
different provinces of the South Island. Under these circumstances, I 
considered myself extremely fortunate in persuading my friend Mr. Travers, 
lately of Christchurch, who is well known to all students of New Zealand 
botany as one of its most zealous and active promoters, to place at my dis- 
posal the result of his observations in this direction. Mr. Travers has 
botanized both in Nelson and Canterbury, and to his explorations among the 
mountains of both provinces, the scientifie world is indebted for the discovery 
of some very beautiful and remarkable novelties. I cannot do better than 
append to this essay of mine the letter which he has kindly written me on 
the subject. 
I forward also an account which I have received from Dr. Hector of the 
most striking features of the flora of the Province of Otago, more especially 
having reference to the grouping of plants in certain zones shown to be 
dependent on elimatie conditions, these in their turn dependent upon alti- 
tude above the sea level, and the position and arrangement of the mountain 
masses, as affecting above all the amount of humidity in the atmosphere. I 
am sure that this communication will be read with great interest. The 
ground it enters on has been hitherto untrodden, and the well-merited repu- 
tation of the author, not only as a distinguished geologist but an acute and 
accurate observer in every department of natural science, must give to his 
remarks a more than ordinary interest, and be a guarantee for their scientific 
accuracy. 
Remarks on a Comparison of the general Features of the Flora of the 
Provinces of Nelson and Marlborough with that of Canterbury ;* in a 
letter addressed to Sir David Monro. By W. T. L. Travers, F.L.S. 
[Dated at Nelson, 17th October, 1864.] 
I FEEL some hesitation in entering upon so difficult a subject as a comparison 
of the floras of the Provinces of Nelson and Marlborough on the one hand 
and that of Canterbury on the other; and but for the fact that you permit 
me to confine myself to the question in its very broadest aspects, I should at 
once have pleaded my inability to enter upon it. 
—.* This letter by Mr. Travers was furnished by Sir David Monro, as supplementing the 
