G PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



higher things, for tlie lower portion of the stump consists of the 

 dead roots of past seasons ; and by growing on tliese the plant 

 gradually raises itself out of the water of the hog m which it 

 grows, into higher and drier levels. 



swamp has been well 

 a i)oeiii called Tlie Brave 



" Out in the open, by the swampy pools, 



The army of waving grasses wont ; 



First in the van the liosts of "-raupo reared 



Long" lines of ruddy spears ; close following 



The green ranks of the -harakeke came. 



Lifting aloft their sullen flashing blades. 



And sturdy bronze-brown standards; and, behind. 



The -'tois' white battalions flaunted far 



Their dazzling banners and soft silver plumes. 



While gaunt and motionless upon the hill, 



The naked ''"cabbage-trees stood sentinel." 



The Fern Land. 



North of Lake Taupo, the tussock country ends. In 

 Auckland the open land is covered with lieath or fern. Fern 

 country is found throughout New Zealand, but becomes more 

 plentiful towards the North. Here there are large areas 

 covered vv'ith the bracken, iPteris aquiUna ; var. esculenta). 

 In many places it grows in great luxuriance, rising to the 

 height of ten feet, and forming miniature forests that cover 

 the land to the exclusioi"i of all other vegetation. 



The rhizome of this fern, as is well known, was used by the 

 Maoris for f(jod when none other could be obtained. It 

 therefore held an mi[)ortant place in their dietary, though it 

 can scarcely be descriljed as a staple article of food. To 

 prepare it for use it was soaked, washed, placed on aflat rock, 

 and repeatedly beaten by a heavy stone pestle or club ipatu.) 



1. Tha \m}Yu^h tTi/ph'i <nt(/ustifolia). I 3. AnnuJo consfucua . 



'2, Th*: f\n,x irhnymium ti'uax). 1 4. CordtiUiw aiistralis. 



