29 
it has not spread. Aro wo to infer from its scarcity, that it is but a 
creation of yesterday ? or, the lingering relic of a past race ? or a now 
form, or a sportive hybrid of Nature ? 
Lastly : May future varieties in certain species be hereafter the more 
reasonably expected to take place in Now Zealand,—or vice versa ,_ 
through Colonization, and through the introduction of con-generic 
plants, of honey-making insects, and of insectivorous birds ? 
*#**##*# 
§ m.—(ECONOMIC. 
23. In considering the (Economic Botany of this Island, the past 
should not bo wholly omitted. It cannot, at least, bo uninteresting to 
know something of those plants which, for a long period, wore of tho 
utmost iinjjortanco to the race which preceded tho Colonists on these 
shores ; and to which a large population was mainly indebted for food, 
for clothing, and for numerous articles of utility and of ornament. 
Such an enquiry, however brief, is become the more necessary from 
the fact, that, owing to the great and growing disuse of many of those 
plants, which were formerly prized and sought after, tho knowledge of 
their qualities and uses is rapidly becoming forgotten. It is therefore 
proposed to shew, witli reference to the past,—(i.) the plants used as 
food; and (ii.) those of utility and ornament, to the New-Zealander of 
former days. 
(i.) Tho vegetable articles of food not introduced by Europeans used 
by the Natives of tliis Island were tolerably numerous, however infe¬ 
rior tho qualities of many of them might bo. Most, however, were 
only obtained through much labour ; which, no doubt, contributed not 
a little towards tho robust health of the consumers. Those food- 
yielding plants may bo thus placed:—(1.) Main articles of food; and 
(2.) smaller fruits and vegetables commonly used, including those only 
resorted to in times of great scarcity. 
(1.) Tho main, or staple, articles of vegetable food, were but few in 
kind. They comprised, those cultivated, and those which wore wild. 
The cultivated vegetables were only three in number; and which 
(curiously enough, and like tho garden produce of many other coun¬ 
tries), wore not indigenous. These were—two roots, and one gourd¬ 
like fruit; the Kumara, or sweet potato, {Convolvulus Batatas), tho 
Taro (Caladium esculentum ), and tho Hue, a largo kind of gourd a 
