150 



plants exist even under less favourable circumstances than in an agricultural 

 county in England, for the friendly shelter of hedge-rows and patches of coppice 

 is almost unknown. In the Takapuna section, the unreclaimed clay lands have 

 been so frequently fired, that the natural vegetation over large areas is 

 resti'icted to stunted tea-tree and similar small shrubs, with a few grasses and 

 introduced plants, the soil itself becoming deteriorated in an increasing ratio 

 with each successive burning. 



The scoria cones of the Isthmus have become covered with a dense sward 

 of introduced grasses and small forage plants, amongst which a fev/ native 

 plants, as Carex breviculmis, Ranunculus australis, Danthonia semi-annulcm'is, 

 and others, still maintain their existence ; in rough places, if at all sheltered, 

 Doodia caudata, Adiantum cethiopicifm, and A. hisjndiduni, are usually foiind, 

 and appear to flourish with as great vigour as when on the stiff clays. Another 

 interesting fern, Gymnogramme leptophylla, is occasionally observed on bare 

 places, but from its small size is easily overlooked. Sderanthns hiflorus forms 

 patches amongst the introduced grasses, varied by occasional masses of 

 Accena sanguisorhce and A. Novce Zelandice, contrasted with solitary plants of 

 Vittadinia australis. ISTumerous ferns and low-growing plants are found 

 amongst the blocks of scoria which form the lava fields in all directions, and, 

 where the shrubs and small trees have been preserved, these exhibit a 

 luxuriance of growth for which one is altogether unprepared. Polypodium 

 Cunninghamii frequently produces fronds over twelve inches in length, 

 Hymenojohylluin Javanicum, and Trichomanes himiile, are often found in the 

 most luxuriant state. The same remark applies, in an equal degree, to the 

 shrubs and trees found in these seemingly unfavourable habitats ; Tetranthera 

 calicaris, Grlselinia liocida, Brachyglottis repanda, Alectryon excelsum, 

 Panax Lessoni, are abundant, and attain their u.sual stature and bulk. This 

 luxuriance of growth in such an unpromising locality is a striking proof of the 

 gi-eat amount of moisture in the atmosphei^e of the district. Taking 100 to 

 represent satui'ation, the mean for Auckland is found to be 75 ; only two 

 localities in the colony ai-e known to give higher means, viz., Taranaki and 

 Hokitika, for which the figures are respectively 80 and 90. 



Astelia Solandri occurs frequently on the rocks, and is usually accompanied by 

 by Peperomia Urvilleana ; more rarely, Astelia Banksii is found in similar situa- 

 tions. CJieilanthes Sieheri and Notliochlmna distans are abundant upon exposed 

 rocks, as are P ellma falcata and P. rotundifolia in sheltered rocky places ; while 

 Asplenium Jiahellifolium in many localities lines every crevice with a drapery 

 of the tenderest green. 



The undulating clay hills and gullies are mostly clothed with low-growing 

 tea-tree and Pomaderris erici/olia, varied by clumps of fastigiate Pracoj^hylhcni 

 squarrosum. Cordyline Pumilio, Lycojwdium densum, and Phylloglossum 

 Drummondii are to be found in all suitable localities, and in wet places. 



