GRAMINEiE 501 



Hordeum murinum, Linn. Barley Grass ; Way-bent 

 First recorded from Auckland Province in 1869 by Kirk. It is 

 a most abundant weed now (1917) in waste ground, especially near 

 the sea. The seed gets into the wool of sheep, and frequently causes 

 a certain amount of deterioration. 



Hordeum maritimum. With. Squirrel-tail Grass 

 First recorded in 1871 from Canterbury by Armstrong. In the 

 Manual (1906) it is reported from Akaroa, on the authority of Kirk^. 



Order FILICES 

 Tribe POLYPODIES 

 Pteris cretica, Linn. 

 This species was collected near Tapuacharuru, Taupo, and de- 

 scribed by Colenso as P. lomarioides, Col., in 1880. A specimen was 

 also found in Oxford Forest, Canterbury, by Mr Vincent Pyke in 

 1883 , and sent down to the author for identification. This was gathered 

 in the bush, away from the immediate vicinity of settlement, and 

 Mr Pyke was certain that it was indigenous. 



Pteris longifolia, Linn. 

 Stated by Buchanan (1882) to have been gathered at Tarawera, 

 between Napier and Taupo, by Mr Lascelles of Napier. Buchanan 

 says it was collected "under circumstances which preclude the possi- 

 bility of its having been introduced." No one has yet recorded how 

 far fern-spores have travelled on air-currents. 



Tribe OSMUNDES 

 Osmunda regalis, Linn. Fern-royal 

 This fern was found by Dr Curll at one spot in Rangitikei, from 

 whence it disappeared, and was rediscovered at the same place by 

 H. C. Field of Wanganui in 1885. It does not seem to have spread. 

 The introduction of all three species of foreign ferns was probably 

 quite accidental in each case. 



Order LYCOPODIACE^ 

 Selaginella denticulata. Link. 

 Cheeseman (1919) reports, on the authority of T. H. Trevor, that 

 this species has been known for many years as a garden escape at Paka- 

 raka, Bay of Islands, and has lately appeared in great abundance on 

 the banks of several swampy creeks in the neighbourhood. B.C. Aston 

 also reports it as not uncommon in several localities near Wellington. 



^ In 1 87 1 Armstrong recorded Hordeum distichum, from Canterbury. The species 

 has not been observed since. 



