326 Transactiom. — Botany. 



and maritime swamps. The plants of this district are few, but generally of 

 a totally different character from those found further inland, being espe- 

 cially adapted for growing in sand, and within the influence of the salt 

 breezes of the ocean. Prominent among these sea-side x^lants are three 

 species of Convolvulus identical with those found on the sea- shores of the 

 old country, and which seem to be found in similar locahties in almost all 

 countries. We find also several species of Juncus, or rush, Senecio lautus, 

 Selliera radicaus, species of Salicornia, Spinifex, Samolus, Scirpus, Eujjhorbia, 

 Mesmibryanthemum, and others, which are equally common in Australia and 

 many other countries. Of species confined to the colony we find Lepidium 

 olei'aceum, Festuca littoralis, Desmoschcenus, Utricularia novcB-zealand/icB, Pimelea 

 virgata, numerous species of sedges, etc. 



In the swampy places near the coast we find a number of pretty Httle 

 herbaceous plants belonging to the following genera : — Mazus, Mimulm, 

 Ranunculus, Poa, Gratiola, Utricularia, Euphrasia, and various OrchidacecB. 

 The Canterbm-y httoral district contains no indigenous trees, but patches of 

 shrubs were common a few years ago, though in many parts of the coast 

 they have almost entirely disappeared. These shrubs belong chiefly to the 

 genera Coprosma, Cassinia, Plagianthus, Veronica, and Leptosperinum or 

 manuka. The native grasses of this district are neither numerous nor of a 

 useful character, and are ra^jidly dying out under the influences of settle- 

 ment, though whether then* places are being filled by more useful varieties 

 is, I think, extremely doubtful. The Httoral district of Canterbury con- 

 tains about 110 species, comprised in no less than 83 genera. Such a large 

 proportion of genera to the species could not be found in any other similar 

 space outside of New Zealand. 



The Banks' Peninsula District. — Banks' Peninsula possesses widely differ- 

 ent features in comparison with the district last described. Its boundaries 

 are so well known that I need not attempt to describe them any further 

 than to state that I include the range known as the Port Hills under this 

 name, as they belong botanically to the same region. The peninsula 

 approaches the North Island much more nearly in its floral character than 

 does any other part of the province. The northern slopes of its numerous 

 ranges are generally well grassed, and capable of carrying large numbers 

 of stock in the natural state ; though they have unfortunately been much 

 injured by the senseless system of burning which, I am sorry to say, still 

 prevails in this district. The southern slopes, and particularly the gullies, 

 are, or rather were, covered with a most luxuriant vegetation of sub-tropical 

 and Polynesian aspect. Noble trees of most various species enth-ely covered 

 the ground, and gave shelter and shade to a vast variety of shrubs of great 

 beauty, and nearly one hundred species of ferns luxuriated in the almost 



