146 



Jiliformis, were abundant, together with Selliera radicans, Cav., at the east 

 end of the hike. Isoetes Kirkii occurred in scattered patches in many parts of 

 the lake, but was nowhere so abundant as at Whangape, nor did it make any 

 approach to covering the bottom in those places where it grew ; this is probably 

 owing to the shifting sandy nature of the bed of the lake. The nliginal 

 vegetation is similar to that of Whangape Lake. 



The Waihi Lake is smaller than either of those just described ; it has, 

 however, a more copious vegetation than either. The very imperfect examina- 

 tion made of this lake, exhibited Elatine Americana, and most of the plants 

 joreviously collected, together with an undescribed Cladiuvi, with a much 

 branched drooping panicle and long sheathing bracts, but the specimens were 

 too far advanced to admit of an accurate diagnosis being drawn. A slender 

 UtriGularia, with weak stems two feet long, much divided capillary leaves, and 

 rather large bladders on the leaves, was observed in several places at the 

 bottom of the lake, but, of course, without fruit or flower at this season- 

 It may prove to be a form of U. protrusa, Hook., originally discovered by 

 Mr. Colenso in the Bay of Plenty, and which has not been found elsewhere. 



Tetragonia expansa, usually confined to the vicinity of the sea, occurred by 

 the marshes, and as an abundant weed on native cultivations ; nearly every 

 specimen was proliferous, a phenomenon I have not before noticed in connection 

 with this plant. 



At Taupiri, Rangiriri, and other places, the false acacia (JRobinia 

 pseudoacacia) is abundantly naturalized ; it already forms coppices in many 

 localities, and from its great diirability is likely to prove serviceable for fencing- 

 purposes. The ordinary cultivated fruits, the fig, pea-ch, vine, Kentish cherry, 

 strawberry, raspberry, and tomato, are abundantly naturalized in many 

 localities ] the tobacco and thorn-apple {Dati(,ra stramonium) are occasionally 

 met with, and Navarretia squarrosa, Hook, and Arn., is plentiful at 

 Ngaruawahia, whilst the vicinity of every township and military post is 

 marked by a large number of exotic grasses and viatical plants, one of the 

 most common being Lepidium ricderale, a littoral plant Avhich has, of late 

 years, spread largely over the interior of the British Islands, and is increasing 

 rapidly in this colony. 



Above Ngaruawahia the current of the Waikato becomes much more rapid, 

 consequently the vegetation at the margin of the river is greatly diminished in 

 quantity, forming a marked contrast with that of the sluggish Waipa, which 

 is fringed with a dense mai-gin of idiginal and j)aludal plants. Approaching 

 Hamilton, the river runs between high banks, clothed with Weinmannia 

 racemosa and other shrubs, mixed with luxuriant clumj)S of wharaekie 

 {Phormiimi Colensoi) ; in fruit this plant is easily distinguished from F. tenax 

 by its twisted and rounded capsules, which are invariably pendulous, never 

 erect and angled as in F. tenax. The fibre is also much weaker, in fact. 



