Kirk. — 0)i the Lake District of the North Island. 323 



stricfa, 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 Rupj^ia inaritima occurs in the tidal portion of the Kaituna 

 river, and fragments of Potamogeton ochreatus^ Haoul, are floated down the 

 stream. This species has been erroneously referred to P, compressus, Sm., 

 and to P. grammeiis, 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-angr^ (Coprosma haueriana, 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 artiericana 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 (jV^ephrodium thelyptei^is, var. squamidosinn) in the 

 colony. It is here a prominent plant over hundreds of acres. Nephrodium 

 unitunrij Br., is said to occur about some hot springs in the centre of the 

 swamp, but 1 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. Eleocharis sphacelata, E. gracilUma^ Cladium articidatum, 

 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 Microlcena stip)0ides, Danthonia 

 semi-annularis, and a few English grasses and trefoils. Pimelea prostrata^ 

 Pteris escidenta, Ponuiderris ericifolia, Haloragis micraoitha, Potentilla anse- 

 7'ina, 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 



* Taupata?— Ed. 



