826 Transactions, — Botany. 
and maritime swamps. The plants of this district are few, but generally of 
& totally different character from those found further inland, being espe- 
cially adapted for growing in sand, and within the influence of the salt 
breezes of the ocean.  Prominent among these sea-side plants are three 
species of Convolvulus identical with those found on the sea-shores of the 
old eountry, and which seem to be found in similar localities in almost all 
countries. We find also several species of Juncus, or rush, Senecio lautus, 
Selliera radicans, species of Salicornia, Spinifex, Samolus, Scirpus, Euphorbia, 
Mesembryanthemum, and others, which are equally common in Australia and 
many other countries. Of species confined to the colony we find Lepidium 
oleraceum, Festuca littoralis, Desmoschenus, Utricularia nove-zealandia, Pimelea 
virgata, numerous species of sedges, ete. 
In the swampy places near the coast we find a number of pretty little 
herbaceous plants belonging to the following genera :—Mazus, Mimulus, 
Ranunculus, Poa, Gratiola, Utricularia, Euphrasia, and various Orchidaceae. 
The Canterbury littoral district contains no indigenous trees, but patches of 
shrubs were common a few years ago, though in many parts of the coast 
they have almost entirely disappeared. These shrubs belong chiefly to the 
genera Coprosma, Cassinia, Plagianthus, Veronica, and Leptospermum or 
manuka. The native grasses of this district are neither numerous nor of a 
useful character, and are rapidly dying out under the influences of settle- 
ment, though whether their places are being filled by more useful varieties 
is, I think, extremely doubtful. The littoral district of Canterbury con- 
tains about 110 species, comprised in no less than 83 genera. Such a large 
proportion of genera to the species could not be found in any other similar 
space outside of New Zealand, 
The Banks’ Peninsula District.—Banks' Peninsula possesses widely differ- 
ent features in comparison with the district last described. Its boundaries 
are so well known that I need not attempt to describe them any further 
than to state that I include the range known as the Port Hills under this 
name, as they belong botanically to the same region. The peninsula 
approaches the North Island much more nearly in its floral character than 
does any other part of the province. The northern slopes of its numerous 
ranges are generally well grassed, and capable of carrying large numbers 
of stock in the natural state; though they have unfortunately been much 
injured by the senseless system of burning which, I am sorry to say, still 
prevails in this district. The southern slopes, and particularly the gullies, 
are, or rather were, covered with a most luxuriant vegetation of sub-tropical 
and Polynesian aspect. Noble trees of most various Species entirely covered 
the ground, and gave shelter and shade to a vast variety of shrubs of great 
beauty, and nearly one hundred species of ferns luxuriated in the almost 
