6 
the prevailing tree on the sides of clayey hills, where it forms continuous 
woods. The Tawa (Nesodaphne Tawa), on both dry hills and low 
alluvial grounds, is commonly found ‘forming large forests. On high 
grounds in the interior, especially on the old sandstone ( Paleozoic), 
the Tawhai-rau-nui (Fagus fusca) often grows together in large forests; 
and the peculiar glory of these woods is, their openness and freeness 
from underwood, so that a traveller may run through them,—to the 
great danger, however, of losing the track, And, at a much higher 
elevation,—4000 to 6000 feet,—on the top of the mountain ranges, 
grows an allied species, #. Cliffortioides; and with it many small tough 
thick-growing’ gnarled shrubs as underwood, which can only be passed 
by walking on (not among’) ; and which, with the prostrate and concealed 
rotten trees and branches, sadly tries the traveller’s strength and patience, 
causing him to wish he was again in the low alluvial woods by the 
water-courses, among the supple-jacks, polygonums, and brambles !— 
8. In order, however, that the Botanical Geography of this large 
island, may be the better known, especially to those at a distance, it 
will be necessary to go a little into detail, and to show the same, as far 
as practicable, from its insular position, climate, and situation ; as well 
as from a brief comparison of its Botany with that of the nearest lands. 
In doing this, the phenogamous generaand species, including also Ferns, 
endemic to our island, will be particularly noticed; and those plants 
which are very local in their habitat will be pointed out. For, although 
the general climate of the whole island is temperate and genial, (extend- 
ing as it does from 34° to 42° south, and with only two elevations above 
the line of perpetual snow,) several of its vegetable productions are re- 
markably local. And, that this may be the more naturally and readily 
perceived, it is purposed to show the same in two ways :—(1.) by areas 
corresponding more or less to its degrees of latitude ; and (2.) by zones 
increasing in altitude surrounding the island. (b.) 
9. Of phenogamic arnzra which (as far as is at present known) 
are peculiar to the North Island of New Zealand, the following 
may be mentioned, viz.,—Entelea, <Ackama, Ixerba, Alsenosmia 
(several species), Colensoa, Rhabdothamnus, Nesodaphne (2 sp.), 
Dactylanthus, and Adenochilus; and of Ferns, Zoxsoma, And of 
endemic species of genera hitherto unknown to the other 
New Zealand Islands, the following phenogams, viz.,—* Pheba- 
lium nudum; Pomaderris (8.), elliptica, Ldgerleyi, and plhylici- 
Jolia; Clianthus puniceus; Eugenia Maire; Meryta Sinclairii ; 
