MoNEO. — Oeographical Bofanij of Nelson and Marlhoroitgli. 173 



tBat they .are tMu upon tlie ground. The explanation of this fact appears 

 to me to lie in the circumstance that the number of sj)ecies is very small. 

 In some of the alpine regions especially, the grasses appear to grow luxuri- 

 antly, and yet they are only met with in tufts, with intervening patches of 

 bare ground. Where this is the case, it will generally be found that the 

 species over a given area are not above two or three in number ; and the 

 explanation is to be found in the general law of vegetable physiology, which 

 prescribes change and rotation as a necessary condition of the healthy exist- 

 ence of most plants. 



But whatever may be thought of the existing flora of New Zealand in a 

 utilitarian point of view, there is no doubt that it is destined to undergo a 

 very great amount of change. Already in the gardens of the New Zealand 

 settlers the fruits and vegetables of Grreat Britain prosper and bear abund- 

 antly, and in addition to these, fruits of still warmer countries. But I will 

 not enter upon this subject, understanding that my friend Mr. Ludlam, of 

 "Wellington, has promised to write an account of his experience in the accli- 

 matization of exotics; and every one who has seen his garden, and the 

 wonderful collection of plants which it contains, drawn from all quarters of 

 the globe, will admit that no one is in a better position to write with 

 authority on this subject. 



What has taken place with regard to the gardens of the country may 

 well take place with regard to its meadows, hill-sides, and forests. There 

 are many noble specimens of the vegetable world peculiar to New Zealand 

 and deserving of the utmost care ; but there are also deficiencies which 

 may be filled up by judicious introductions, and for this operation the mild 

 and equable climate of the colony is particularly favourable. There is no 

 reason whatever why there should not be seen growing together in one and 

 the same wood in New Zealand its own peculiar evergreen Conifers, 

 contrasted with the deciduous trees of our native country, the pines of 

 Europe and Asia, the Eucalypti and Acacics of New Holland, the ProteaceiB, 

 of South Africa, and other trees and shrubs from all but strictly tropical 

 latitudes. 



And so with regard to its pastures. The progress of settlement is daily 

 introducing not only English meadow-grasses but grasses from other 

 countries, and other useful forage plants. So far as present experience goes, 

 perfect success follows upon all but the poorest and driest soils ; and the 

 consequence is that the resources of the colony in the production of animal 

 food and wool are being largely increased. The process has but just com- 

 menced : half a century hence, when these operations have had time to 

 develope their results, the South Island of New Zealand will present a 

 richer and more varied appearance. 



