BOTANY. 
671 
On the N. E. coast of New Zealand, large flat beans, 
nearly two inches in diameter, and three other kinds, are 
constantly drifted on shore, the same as are brought from 
the Fiji Isles. In New South Wales it is noticed that the 
Australian coast flora is totally different from that of the 
interior, and far more abundant, and this also holds good 
with New Zealand. The cedar is found along the coasts of 
Australia, and not far inland ; so likewise the kauri in New 
Zealand. 
The fact also of the earth being filled with seed which 
retains its vitality for many ages, must be noticed ; where 
lofty cliffs have fallen, and disclosed former levels, after 
a short time, the exposed vein of ancient mould will be 
covered with a vegetation of its own ; so likewise when a 
portion of forest has been cleared and burnt off, the ground, 
if suffered to remain uncultivated, is speedily occupied by the 
Poroporo, an edible solanum. In Australia likewise, where 
the eucalyptus forest has been burnt, it is succeeded by the 
mimosa ; so also in North America, the primmval forests are 
said to be replaced by the red cedar. 
The disappearing and reappearing of various plants in the 
same places, seems to depend on certain conditions of soil 
and circumstances, yet it is doubtful whether indigenous 
plants ever disappear from their proper localities ; when 
the spot they inhabit becomes possessed by plants or trees 
of hostile growth to the original ones, they certainly do 
appear to die away and be lost, but when a more favorable 
state returns, they are again resuscitated, as in the instances 
alluded to, and thus cannot be said to be extinct.* This is 
not the case with artificially raised flowers ; the horticultu- 
rist well knows that every flower he raises, however luxu- 
riantly it may grow the first year, will seldom last more than 
* The same plants do not grow on cleared land that formerly occupied the 
spot when it was covered with forest trees ; a distinct class of vegetation makes 
its appearance as soon as the fire has passed over the ground. The same 
may be remarked with regard to the change that takes place in our forests ; a 
one generation falls and decays, new ones of a different character spring up in 
their places. — See Back-woods of Canada, page 173. 
