184 JEssai/s. 



Alopecuribs geniculatus, Linn. 



Festuca durmscida, Linn. 



TriticiMii scah'um, Br. 



Schoenus pauciflorus, althougli strictlj not a grass, forms grass-like tus- 

 socks, and is considered tke true snow-grass. It is sub-alpine. 



A variety of small flowering plants find their natural kabitat in tke open 

 grass land, some species being very minute in size and bidden among tke 

 grass : in many places tkey form tke ckief part of tke vegetation, ckoking 

 out tke grasses. 



Species of tke following genera may be found among tkem : — JRanunculus, 

 Hydrocotyle, Discaria, Carinicluslia, Coprosma, Suhus, Crepis, Taraxacum, 

 3Ientlia, Lepidium, Spergularia, Cassmia, Senecio, Veronica, Fimelea, Aci- 

 pliylla, JLypericum, Haoidia, Vittadinia, Lagenopliora, GnapJialmm, OrcMdece, 

 Leucopogon, Serpolirion, Antliericum, Nertera, Dicliondra, Galium, Mimulus, 

 I^pilobium, Gunnera, Oxalis, &c. ; and, in addition, tkree important plants 

 well known in Otago — tke common fern (Fteris esculenta), a plant wkick 

 occupies large areas of ground almost exclusively; flax {Phormiiom tenax), 

 a plant certain to become so important in tke manufacture of clotk fabrics, 

 ropes, and paper, tkat tke time will come wken tke farmer will be as anxious 

 to secure crops of tkis plant as ke is now to get rid of it ; and tke tutu. 



[Tkere are probably tkree varieties of tke PJiormium tenax in Otago — two 

 on tke east coast, and one of limited distribution on tke west. Tke two 

 varieties near Dunedin will be best distinguisked by tkeir seed vessels, tke 

 most robust plant kaving an erect 3-angled seed vessel, wkile tke otker kas 

 a drooping twisted seed vessel witkout angles.] Two species are foimd in 

 Otago, Pkormium tenax and P. coleusoi, tlie former distinguished hy an erect 

 triangular capsule, and the latter hy a drooping tioisted capsule. Tke tutu 

 (Goriaria ruscifolia) is only too well known from its destructive poisonous 

 qualities, as it is probable tkat tke amount of tke losses sustained by tke 

 stock-owners and farmers in cattle and skeep, if realized, would kave eradi- 

 cated tke plant from tke grazing districts. Tke tutu is ckiefly confined to 

 tke soutk-west of tke province, being little known inland. Notking is yet 

 known of its poisonous principle, and muck mystery prevails on tke action 

 of tke poison. Tkose tkree plants, unfortunately for tke farmer wko kas to 

 clear tke land for cultivation, attain tkeir maximum of growtk and number 

 in tke settled districts. 



Tke busk or forest flora migkt compare favourably, in variety, witk tkat 

 of a tropical climate, as it exceeds tke nortkern forests of temperate Europe 

 in number of species. Tkis variety of species produces considerable diver- 

 sity of colour, altkougk no evergreen vegetation can possibly offer to tke 

 eye tke varied tints of tke autumn sere leaf, seen in countries witk a 



