364 DICOTYLEDONS AND CONIFER.^ 



complete list is that given by Mr T. F. Cheeseman in the Manual of 

 the New Zealand Flora (pp. 1062-93), pubHshed in 1906. But in none 

 of these lists is any attempt made to give dates of introduction. 



In the classification adopted by me in this wrork, I have mainly 

 foUovv^ed Mr Cheeseman, v?ho based his on the system used by Sir J . D . 

 Hooker in his various British and Colonial Floras. I am not here 

 concerned with any discussion on the principles of classification 

 adopted or favoured by various systematists and authors. My object 

 is to use names by which the plants referred to can be readily recog- 

 nised and distinguished, and I have seen no good reason to follow 

 any other scheme than that adopted by the most eminent of British 

 systematists. 



No work has been done in New Zealand in recording the insects 

 which visit and pollinate the flowering plants, either indigenous or 

 introduced, except in a few isolated cases. 



I have therefore appended to many of the introduced species of 

 plants referred to here, the names of those insects which have also 

 been introduced into New Zealand, and which in Europe are found 

 to pollinate their flowers, or at least to visit them for nectar or pollen. 



DICOTYLEDONS 



Division POLYPETALiE 



Sub-division Thalamiflor^ 



RANUNCULACEiE 



Some authors are of opinion that the curved or hooked beaks of 

 the achenes of the genus Ranunculus are a means of attaching the 

 fruits to the plumage of birds, and in this way of distributing the 

 species. I should think this is a rare, or at best a doubtful method of 

 distribution. Guppy says: " I have found the achenes of Ranunculus 

 frequently in the stomachs of birds in England, in partridges fre- 

 quently and in wild ducks at times." 



Ranunculus aquatilis, Linn. Water Crowfoot ; Water Buttercup 

 First recorded as occurring in various parts of South Canterbury 

 by Dr Cockayne. In 1906 I reported to Mr Cheeseman that it 

 appeared in Otago first in the Waikouaiti River; then in the upper 

 portions of the Waipahi, and more recently in the Pomahaka, these 

 two latter being tributaries of the Clutha River. In 1908 Cockayne 

 recorded it as being plentiful in a lake near the mouth of the Rangitikei 

 River. It has since then increased very rapidly, and has in parts 

 nearly choked some of these streams. Almost certainly introduced 

 from Britain. Flowers in December. 



