LIST OP THE PRINCIPAL NATURALIZED, OR APPARENTLY 
NATURALIZED, PLANTS OE NEW ZEALAND. 
The rapidity with which European weeds, and especially the annuals of cul- 
tivated grounds, are being- introduced into and disseminated throughout New 
Zealand, is a matter of much surprise to all observers, and not only to pro- 
fessed naturalists. It is a point of very great significance in reference to all 
inquiries relating to their superior powers of propagation and establishing 
themselves, which the plants as well as animals of some countries display, as 
contrasted with those of others; and when, as in the case of New Zealand, 
the result is the actual displacement and possible extinction of a portion of 
the native flora by the introduced, the facts may well arouse the interest of 
the most listless colonist. It is impossible for me here to enter into this 
subject, which, novel as it is, yet suggests a thousand curious reflections. I 
have touched lightly on it in an article “ On the Replacement of Species in the 
Colonies and elsewhere ” in the ‘ Natural History Review ’ of January, 1864 ; 
and I can here do no more than again call attention to the fact, that now is 
the time for certifying the dates of the introduction of many plants which, 
l hough unknown in the islands a quarter of a century ago, are already actually 
driving the native plants out of the country, and will, before long, take their 
places, and be regarded as the commonest native weeds of New Zealand. 
The following list is compiled from many sources, and has for the most part 
appeared in the ‘ Flora of New Zealand.’ Important additions have been 
made by various collectors, but especially by Mr. Kirk, of Auckland, who has 
favoured me with a list of upwards of eighty species (marked A in this 
catalogue) from within sixty miles of that city. The majority of these plants 
are British, and will be found described in any British Flora. 
I am informed that the late Mr. Bidwill habitually scattered Australian 
seeds during his extensive travels in New Zealand ; if this be true, it is 
remarkable how few Australian plants have naturalized themselves in the 
islands, considering both this circumstance and > the extensive commerce be- 
tween these countries. 
I have added the duration to the species, to show the great contrast in 
this respect between the indigenous and introduced plants. Of the indigenous 
plants described in this work, nearly all (as in other oceanic islands) are per- 
ennial (I/) ; of the introduced plants, now to be ennumerated, fully one-half 
are annual (©), and thirteen are biennial (J'). 
Class I. DICOTYLEDONES. 
RANUNCULACE-E. 
Ranunculus parviflorus, L. (see p. 8). Europe, fields, etc. © 
