554 LEGISLATION 



Thistles (any species of Carlina, stemless thistle), Carduus (com- 

 mon plume or Scotch thistle), Cnicus (Calif ornian thistle and 

 woolly-headed thistle), Centaur ea (star thistle), Silybum (milk 

 thistle), 



Wild turnip (Brassica campestris). 



Ragwort or ragweed {Senecio jacobced). 



In 1908 "The Noxious Weeds Act" consolidated the preceding 

 enactments, and, as far as machinery was concerned, was practically 

 the same. Schedule III (the old Schedule II) specifies the same 

 weeds with the addition of any species of Arctium, or burdock, and 

 any species of Rumex or dock, elderberry {Sambucus niger), fennel 

 {Foeniculum vulgar e), foxglove {Digitalis purpurea), hemlock {Conium 

 maculatum), kangaroo acacia {Acacia armata), lupin {Lupinus luteus), 

 ox-eye daisy, pennyroyal {Mentha pulegium), periwinkle (F/wca major), 

 St John's wort {Hypericum perforatum or H. humifusum), Tauhinu or 

 New Zealand cotton-wood {Cassinia leptophylla), any species of thistle 

 as specified above, tutsan {Hypericum Androsccmum), viper's bugloss 

 {Echium vulgar e), and wild borage {Echium violaceum). 



The Noxious Seeds Schedule is similar to No. Ill of the previous 

 Act with the addition of fennel, hemlock, pennyroyal, St John's 

 wort and tutsan. 



The record of the legislation passed by various parliaments in 

 New Zealand is historically of interest, and of value from the point 

 of view of the naturalist, as showing how various animals and plants 

 developing under new conditions in a new country, "run away," as 

 it were, and become so aggressive and so numerous in individuals as 

 to constitute a serious menace to the well-being of the community. 

 At the same time it is rather a curious record when looked at as a 

 whole, for hardly had any Bill passed into law when amendments , 

 were found to be necessary, and these succeeded each other year 

 after year with monotonous regularity. The point' reached to-day, 

 however, is one that can be contemplated with a certain amount of 

 satisfaction. As far as new introductions of animals and plants are 

 concerned, there is pretty close inspection at all ports of entry of 

 seeds, fruits, etc., and few deleterious things pass the inspectors. 

 Where objectionable introductions have got in during recent years, 

 they have in several cases been followed up to the localities to which 

 they were distributed, and have been eradicated. As to those animals 

 and plants which are already in the country and which it is desirable 

 to eradicate or keep in check, the conditions are more difficult, but 

 in many cases the laws which have been passed have enabled them 

 to be coped with. The hope for the future lies in two directions, viz., 



