in New Zealand . 
307 
sents a fine field of labour to the Naturalist, particularly 
in cryptogamic botany, conchology, and entomology. 
It is true, that here we cannot boast of many indi¬ 
genous natural productions serviceable to man, nor of 
a showy flora, nor of splendid insects, such as many 
other and neighbouring countries can produce; yet the 
truly careful observer will soon perceive, that the pro¬ 
ductions of New Zealand are, generally speaking, pecu¬ 
liar to herself, and highly curious in structure. 
Lastly, I would briefly remark, that the more I see 
of this country—now my adopted one—the more I feel 
assured that she is still but very imperfectly known, 
both in her productions and capabilities. Arising, I 
am persuaded (at least as far as her capabilities are 
concerned), more front carelessness and ignorance, or 
design , than from any other assignable reason. The 
soils, in particular, of New Zealand, have been repre¬ 
sented as possessing a fertility unparalleled, and such 
everywhere abounding to an almost unlimited extent! 
Nearly ten years of residence (during which period a 
good share of travelling and numerous opportunities of 
obtaining the most correct information) has, however, 
convinced me, that such is far, very far, from the truth. 
Few, indeed, are the districts, which can in any sense 
be termed fertile; and where such exist, the native 
population is generally very great. 
New Zealand (the North Island) is, on the whole , a 
barren country; and—bearing in mind the absolute 
and prior claims of her own sons—unavailable to the 
stranger to any very great extent for agricultural pur¬ 
poses. Nor must it be forgotten, that her best and 
most fertile portions (few though they be) are still in 
