Bucuanan.—On the Botany of Kawau Island. 507 
their roots to the excessive heat of the sun or frosts, from over-feeding with 
stock, and burning the grass at improper seasons. Any alleviation of this 
fenced divisions of the land, by which portions of the pasture may rest even 
Scrub. 
The scrub vegetation of Kawau is the after-growth of fire, and at first 
is composed of species of arid growth, such as Leptospermum (Manuka), 
Leucopogon (Mingimingi), Pomaderris (Kumarahou), Carmichaelia (Whakaka), 
Coprosma (Karamu), ete. Under the shadowand shelter of their close growth 
numerous young plants of the larger trees soon appear, with a host of 
smaller species, and thus, after a long period of time, if no other fire occurs, 
is the gradual renovation of the bush accomplished. 
When the dense scrub land of Otago was first burned 20 years ago, a 
rich growth of Native grasses sprung up afterwards, producing a pasture of 
the first class. It is probable, however, that, in Kawau and similar arid 
soils in Auckland, an early sowing of grass seed during cool moist weather 
would be necessary to ensure success after burning. 
Bush. 
Under this head are included extensive patches of valuable timber trees 
in general, mixed with numerous species of smaller growth, which although 
ornamental have little commercial value except as firewood. The growth 
is dense and luxuriant: in places where the Nikau Palm and Tree Ferns are 
abundant, as in some of the deeper vallies, forming a close canopy of foliage 
overhead, a gloomy silence prevails, unbroken by the sound of animal life, 
the numerous opossums and birds finding a more congenial sphere above in 
the sunshine of the higher trees. : 
The indigenous trees which contribute most to scenic effects are Pohuta- 
kawa ( Metrosideros tomentosa ), a valuable timber tree, in many places lining 
the shores of the island, and exhibiting a gorgeous beauty when in flower i 
Taraire ( Nesodaphne taraire ), having a rounded form of fine foliage; Puriri 
( Vitex littoralis), another valuable timber tree, with much of the sturdy 
gnarled aspect of the oak ; Tawaapou (Sapota costata ), with bright green 
foliage and rounded form ; Several species of pines ( Podocarpus and Daery- 
dium), all valuable timber trees, and contrasting their peculiar small- 
leaved foliage with the large-leaved trees of the bush ; Rewarewa ( Knightia 
excelsa ), & tall tapering tree, is à prominent object on the hill slopes. The 
Wood of this tree makes beautiful furniture work. The following species 
are rare:—Tawhairaunui (Fagus fusca j—very few specimens of this tree 
