THE AGE OP NEW ZEALAND. 
435 
rina, which is found in many of the Polynesian isles, as well 
as in Australia its chief abode. The Casuarina, with its 
peculiar jointed leaves, may be regarded as a gigantic form 
of the Equisetum of Britain. The various kinds of Proteacese, 
more generally known as the Banksia of Australia, with their 
strange parallel- veined leaves, the lines horizontally placed, 
are also deeply interesting, as well as those of the Hakea, 
Dryandria and many others which are seen in the European 
BANKSIA SOLONIS, EXTINCT. BANKSIA SERATA, EXISTING. 
Eocene formation. The Fuchsia excorticata and JBetula Tawai, 
which are common to Tierra del Fuego, as well as to New 
Zealand. The Veronicas, so numerous in the latter islands, 
are also found in many of the tropical ones to the north, on 
the tops of mountains, where they obtain a similar climate, 
they are even met with in the Falklands. The Ti JDracena 
and many others are equally widely dispersed, which can 
only be accounted for by supposing them to be relics of 
a continental flora still existing on the fragmentary parts 
p p 2 
