e” 
The Elements of the Flora. IR 3231 
2. Species. 
If the numerous palaeotropical pteridophyta, the fairly large widely-distri- 
batkd tropical and subtropical element and the few Norfolk-Howe species be 
here left out of consideration, the few remaining species shared by New Zea- 
land with other palaeotropic floras are, — Podocarpus ferrugineus (Taxac.), 
New Caledonia only; Cenchrus ielyerkaies (Gramin.), but to Kermadecs only; 
Cladium articulatum, C. glomeratum, Gahnia gahniaeformis (Cyperac.); Macropiper 
excelsum (Piperac.); Melicytus ramiflorus (Violac.); Metrosideros villosa (Myrtac.), 
but Kermadec only. 
f. The Cosmopolitan element. 
Here the term “Cosmopolitan” is used with a rather wide Sönikcande, 
and all those species are included that have a considerable range in either 
temperate or warm climates.. Some, especially those of warm countries, are 
ecologically akin to weeds, so that it is difficult, or impossible to decide, er 
whether their present distribution has come about by “natural” means, 
'6E*: 
whether, also, some of those found in New Zealand are truly tens 
Even eerdi the well-known floras of European lands, exposed as these 
have been for long periods to the influence of man, it must be a matter of 
great uncertainty as to what species are actually indigenous, and, it may well | 
be, that many species, concerning the nativity of which no question has ever 
been raised, have originated far from what is now the Cenife of their greatest 
distribution. 
The most important section, from the en standpoint, con- 
ee een 
in the N. has one or more vicarious southern® 
Bee a, are en Besen 
‚sists of those species supposed to belong without question to the Northern 
hemisphere, a matter however rather taken for granted than proved. These } 
and southern 
