408 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [Dec. 
defined areas, and notes the possible connection of New Zealand at varying 
times with Malaya, Australia, South America, Antarctica. 
In accompanying Dr. Cockayne through these living regions of New 
Zealand vegetation one is led by no ordinary guide. One becomes so 
conscious of the habits, peculiarities—the individualities—of the plants 
as to regard them as more than objects of mere botanical arrangement 
and classification. They reveal much of the very life of the land itself. It 
requires genius to open the doors on nature’s secret ways, and to lighten the 
eyes of others so that they too may see the secrets almost in actual work¬ 
ing ; and in reading this book unsuspected doors do open—undreamed-of 
vistas appear, some dim and uncertain, all inviting. It is these dim 
vistas that will attract many ; these entrances to yet unexplored regions, 
developed through uncounted ages of time ; and there is no least doubt 
that many students will be stimulated by this book to pursue lines of study 
hitherto almost untouched. One such vista has been explored by the 
Rev. J. E. Holloway, D.Sc., of Hokitika—the development of the club- 
mosses—and to this Dr. Cockayne refers with warranted enthusiasm. 
Another such vista is opened by the manner in which many New Zealand 
plants, about two hundred in number, differ at various stages of their growth 
—sometimes differ very greatly; a remarkable fact being that, whilst 
some of them exhibit the phenomena in New Zealand, they do not do so 
elsewhere, as if the phenomena were in some way connected with New 
Zealand itself—the question being, how ? There is the existence of forms 
like the edelweiss : is it not remarkable, considering that the New Zealand 
species belongs to quite a different geau from the true Alpine edelwei s, 
that the forms should be so similar ? The book gives glimpses of many such 
vistas ; some Dr. Cockayne points out ; from some he lifts a corner of the 
veil; some, to which he does not refer, suggest themselves. It could be 
wished that Dr. Cockayne’s own explorations in these by-paths might be 
made known in as popular and charming a manner as are the subjects 
treated in this book. A popular error is refuted : it is usually supposed 
that the introduced plants displace and destroy the indigenous ; it appears 
that, except where the latter have first been interfered with by man, 
animals, or fire, the introduced plants, even those vigorous growths called 
weeds, are powerless to displace them, powerless even to gain a footing in 
their midst. 
It is said that science is unimaginative—that imagination will betray 
the scientist into the regions of the fanciful and fantastic. Without imagina¬ 
tion, science is dead; without it, the scientist is devoid of originality, is 
incapable of inciting another mind. It is not so with Dr. Cockayne : whilst 
endowed with the wide knowledge of the scientist, he also looks at nature 
with the eyes of the poet; and it is for this reason that nature has revealed 
to him hints of so many marvels ; it is for this reason that he is able to 
convey some glamour of the revelation to others. 
Not only is Dr. Cockayne fully alive to the wonders and beauties of 
growth and form, but he is also alive to their practical value. His remarks 
on pastures should be read by every agriculturist. He has on many occa¬ 
sions been requested by the Government to report on certain botanical areas, 
on sand-dune reclamation, and he is at present engaged in an extensive 
examination of the tussock country of the South Island, with a view to 
ascertaining, if possible, how the pastures may be renewed or improved. 
That he is alive, too, to the beauty of the vegetation he knows so thoroughly 
is shown not only by the fine descriptions of scenes the book contains, but 
