Kirk.—On the Lake District of the North Island. 323 
stricta, which is naturalized to a greater or lesser extent all through the Bay 
of Plenty, and thence more sparingly to Lake Taupo. This American weed 
appears to be as incursive in its habits as any of the European viatical plants, 
and in this district causes much trouble to the natives. The usual arenarian 
plants are abundant between Otupapora and Maketu, and present but little 
variety, 
MAKETU. 
At Maketu Ruppia maritima occurs in the tidal portion of the Kaituna 
river, and fragments of Potamogeton ochreatus, Raoul, are floated down the 
stream. This species has been erroneously referred to P. compressus, Sm., 
and to P. gramineus, Sm., and is the sole representative in New Zealand of 
the grassy-leaved section of the genus. At the mouth of the river is a fine 
clump of the angi-angi* (Coprosma baueriana, Hook. f.), which, according to 
native tradition, is composed of descendants of the original tree to which the 
Arawa canoe was made fast on the arrival of the tribe at the island. 
Limosella tenuifolia and Elatine americana occur near the beach, the latter 
attaining here its most easterly known habitat. Cynodon dactylon is abun- 
dant, and from its capability of resisting drought its diffusion must be 
beneficial, notwithstanding the pointed objections urged against it by settlers 
in cultivated districts on account of its poor yield during the winter season. 
Other naturalized plants are abundant, 
The Kawa swamp at Maketu is probably the most extensive habitat for 
the marsh shield-fern (Nephrodium thelypteris, var. squamulosum) in the 
colony. It is here a prominent plant over hundreds of acres. Nephrodium 
unitum, Br., is said to occur about some hot springs in the centre of the 
swamp, but I had not time to verify the statement. Calorophus elongatus is 
abundant a short distance from Maketu; Psilotum triquetrum is found in 
several spots amongst the tea-tree, and attains its most eastern habitat on 
Motuhora Island. Lleocharis sphacelata, E. gracillima, Cladium articulatum, 
and other marsh plants, are abundant. 
For a few miles from Maketu the country has evidently formed part of an 
ancient sea-basin. A littoral grass, Zoysia pungens, produces extensive 
patches of turf, and is sparingly mixed with Microlæna stipoides, Danthonia 
semi-annularis, and a few English grasses and trefoils. Pimelea prostrata, 
Pteris esculenta, Pomaderris ericifolia, Haloragis micrantha, Potentilla anse- 
rina, and stunted manuka, form the chief portion of the scanty vegetation. 
On ascending the first hills, about six miles from Maketu, the Zoysia 
at once disappears, but the other grasses named become more frequent, and 
notwithstanding the sterile appearance of the soil the fern exhibits greater 
e as s 
* Taupata ?—Ep. 
