330 Transactions. — Botany. 
undescribed. M. variæfolium is found in several spots. Isoëtes kirkii, H. Br., 
appears to be rare, but the water was too rough to admit of a thorough search 
being made. A scanty growth of Scirpus, Cladium, Eleocharis and Carex is 
found at a few places in the margin, backed by a sparse growth of shrubs and 
small trees, chiefly Metrosideros robusta and Weinmannia racemosa. Several 
fine karakas occur on the Island of Motukawa. In many places the rocks are 
elegantly clothed with masses of Bolbophyllum pygmeum, Earina autumnalis, 
Dendrobium cunninghamii, Trichomanes reniforme, Hymenophyllum rarum, 
etc. Hydrocotyle heteromeria, DO., which occurs in abundance with the 
naturalized Mentha viridis at the north-east end of the lake, is worthy of 
special notice. Gaultheria oppositifolia Hook. f., one of the rarest and most 
handsome flowering shrubs, covers a cliff near Kaitiriria, and must present a 
noble ‘appearance when in flower in the beginning of January. Barbarea 
precox, Portulaca oleracea, Verbascum thapsus, and other naturalized plants 
occur near the native settlement and in other localities near the lake. The 
hills are chiefly covered with fern, often luxuriant, and intermixed with 
native and introduced grasses, often to a considerable extent. The only outlet 
of the lake is by the Wairoa River, which, after a descent of 300 feet, finds 
its way into the Tarawera Lake. 
TIKITAPU. 
Tikitapu, the “ Little Blue Lake,” is separated from Rotokakahi by a low 
ridge ; crateriform in appearance, it has no visible outlet, and is probably 
connected with Rotokakahi by a subterranean channel; it is the most 
picturesque lake in the district, and owes much of its attractiveness to the 
magnificent forest which clothes the hills on its northern and western sides. 
An undescribed Cladium and a new species of Myriophyllum were collected 
here. Tupeia antarctica is frequent, being usually parasitic on Panax arborea, 
and from the unusual yellow tint of its leaves was conspicuous at a consider- 
able distance. Immense specimens of the rata were abundant in the forest. 
Hemitilia smithii, Dicksonia squarrosa, and other tree ferns, attained an 
unusual height. Davallia nove-zealandie was remarkably luxuriant, its 
fronds often being from four to five feet in height, but with all this luxuriance 
of growth the paucity of species, when compared with the rich forests of the 
north, continually forced itself into notice. 
The raupo (Typha latifolia) occurs in small quantity at the north end of 
the lake ; it is so extremely rare in the district, that the whares are usually 
constructed of sedges and grasses, even Poa levis being employed for this 
purpose. 
In the Wairoa Valley, between Rotokakahi and Rototarawera, the pansey 
(Viola tricolor) and other garden plants are abundantly naturalized, doubtless 
