330 Transactions. —Botany. 



vmdescribed. M. varicefolium is found in several spots. Isoetes Mrkii, H. Br., 

 appears to be rare, but the water was too rougb to admit of a thorough search 

 being made. A scanty growth of Scirpus, Cladium, Eleochanris and Carex is 

 found at a few places in the margin, backed by a sparse growth of shrubs and 

 small trees, chiefly Mefrosideros rohusta and Weinmannia racemosa. Several 

 fine karakas occur on the Island of Motukawa. In many places the rocks are 

 elegantly clothed with masses of Bolbophyllum pygmceum, Earina autumnalisy 

 Dendrohium cunninghamii, Trichomanes reniforme, Hymenophyllwm rarum^ 

 etc. Hydrocotyle heteromeria, DC, 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 clifl" near Kaitiriria, and must present a 

 noble appearance when in flower in the beginning of January. Barharea 

 prcecox, Portulaca oleraceoj^ Verhascum 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 Hiver, which, after a descent of 300 feet, finds 

 its way into the Tarawera Lake. 



TiKITAPU. 



Tikitapu, the *' Little Blue Lake," is separated from Botokakahi by a low 

 ridge ; crateriform in appearance, it has no visible outlet, and is probably 

 connected with Kotokakahi 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 arhorea, 

 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 novce-zealandice 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 Pea Icevis being employed for this 

 purpose. 



In the Wairoa Valley, between Rotokakahi and Kototarawera, the pansey 

 {Viola tricolor) and other garden plants are abundantly naturalized, doubtless 



