Kirk. — On the Lake District of the North Island, 329 



restricted distribution of Fimhristylis dichotoma is no less remarkable. With 

 one exception it is confined to the hot springs of Ohinemutu. At Otumako- 

 kori, where it occurs very sparingly, it has doubtless been carried by travellers 

 within a very recent period. 



The appended list of plants shows the paucity of the flora found in the 

 immediate vicinity of Ohinemutu ; including naturalized plants it numbers 

 less than 300 species. 



Tobacco is extensively cultivated by the Maoris about Kuapeka Bay, in 

 small inclosures containing from 10 plants to 400, which are usually kept in 

 the greatest order and neatness, the leading shoot being carefully pinched 

 back as soon as the fourth or fifth leaf is fairly developed. Tobacco might be 

 grown to a large extent in this district, and as the dried leaf sells wholesale 

 for one shilling per lb. in Auckland, the natives might readily secure a 

 considerable income. Unluckily, however, they have no idea of the dignity 

 of labour, and confessedly rank amongst the least industrious of their race. 



ROTOKAKAHI, 



The country between Whakarewarewa and Kotokakahi presents few 

 objects of special interest, although the soil is more fertile than in the vicinity 

 of Ohinemutu, and much of the vegetation more luxuriant. At Pareru the 

 road runs through a small piece of bush in which Dichsonia antarctica is 

 abundant, its massive column-like stems and umbrageous fronds present a 

 most imposing appearance. I cannot assent to the correctness of Sir William 

 Hooker's conclusions in uniting D. lanata, Col., with this species f to me they 

 appear to be abundantly distinct, the peculiarities of each being clearly 

 developed even in diminutive specimens. 



In the narrow vallies Poa australis var. Icevis is abundant, occasionally 

 mixed with Sporobolus elongatus, Microlcena stipoides, and several introduced 

 grasses. Dracophyllum suhulatum is abundant in certain localities, Poma- 

 derris phylicifolia and Lycopodium densum become very local, and are not 

 observed south of the Waihorepa Yalley, although I believe both these plants 

 have an outlying locality in the South Island. 



In a stream fed by a small swamp near the southern extremity of Koto- 

 kakahi, Montia fontana, L., occurs in great plenty. This is probably the 

 northern limit of this widely distributed plant, which is here associated with 

 its European congener Lemna minor. I estimate the altitude of the locality 

 at under 1,500 feet. 



Kotokakahi presents but little variety in its vegetation, especially amongst 

 the aquatic section. The fistulose form of Crantzia lineata occurs in from one 

 to seven feet of water, as does a small Myriophyllum, which is probably 



* See Art. XLIII. 



R 1 



