366 Transactions. — Botany. 



prodaciug a singular effect, quite iiulike that of any native plants. I am 

 indebted to Dr. Hector for information as to its introduction. 



Matthiola sinuata, Br. 



A welcome addition to our naturalized iDlants, but confined to tbe 

 remarkable locality of Castle Eock, on the steep faces of which it is plentiful 

 enough. Its establishment in this singular habitat can only be accounted 

 for on the supposition of its having been sown. 



LepicUum ruderale, L. 



This Crucifer appears to be spreading through all temperate regions ; 

 sheep and cattle are evidently the chief agents in its diffusion, although its 

 minute seeds are often carried great distances by the wind. It is especially 

 abundant about sheep camps in the Wairarapa and other districts. 



EajyJianus sativas, L. 



Most travellers by the Hutt road must have noticed the profusion of the 



garden radish on soil disturbed during the construction of the railway. In 



all probability it will gradually diminish in quantity, although at present it 



maintains its ground. 



Lychnis coronaria, L. 



The white leaves and bright red flowers of this plant produce a singular 

 effect in localities where it is abundant, as in Porirua Valley, etc., etc. 



Silene noctiflora, L. 

 This plant appears to be confined to the locality mentioned, where, 

 however, it is tolerably plentiful, and has apparently been estabhshed for 

 some years. I am quite at a loss to account for its introduction. 

 Hypericum androscBmum, L. 

 Unusually abundant at Ohariu, and flourishing with the greatest luxuri- 

 ance on the borders of forest to which cattle have access. 



Conium maculatam, L. 

 This deadly plant was more plentiful about Wellington tln-ee or four 

 years ago than it is at the present time. Its extension has been greatly 

 restricted by building operations. 



Rosa ruhiyinosa, L. 

 The sweet-briar spreads with remarkable rapidity, occasionally forming 

 dense thickets and causing much trouble in pastoral lands. Its fruit is 

 eaten by horses and birds, and many of the seeds escape injury during the 

 process of digestion, probably owing to their hairy covering preventing the 

 action of the gastric juice. 



Dipsacus sylvestris, L. 

 In great abundance in the Porirua Valley, where its striking habit 

 affords a marked contrast to surrounding plants. It has not been observed 

 in any other district. 



