A HISTORY OF BOTANICAL DISCOVERY IN 
NEW ZEALAND. 
(Reprinted from the First Edition.) 
ey 
Tue history of botanical discovery in New Zealand falls naturally and 
conveniently into two periods of almost equa! duration. The first com- 
mences with the year 1769, in which Cook made his first visit, and closes 
with the establishment of British supremacy and the commencement of 
systematic colonization in 1840. During the seventy-one years comprised 
between these dates many voyages of discovery or survey in the South 
Pacific were undertaken by the British, French, or American Governments, 
during most of which New Zealand was visited. And, as naturalists or 
collectors were usually attached to these expeditions, it was through them 
that our first knowledge of the flora was obtained. During the same series 
of years several travellers of scientific attainments also visited New 
Zealand, such as the two Cunninghams, Dieffenbach, Bidwill, &c., all of 
whom formed collections of considerable importance. This period may 
therefore be appropriately called the period of investigation by visitors 
from abroad. That extending from 1840 to the present time can be just 
as correctly styled the period of investigation by naturalists resident in the 
colony. 
Commencing with the voyages, the first in order of time, as well as in 
degree of importance, is Cook’s first visit (1769-1770). For full details 
concerning this celebrated expedition, which has been well said “ to have 
been the most momentous voyage of discovery that has ever taken place, 
for it practically gave birth to the great Australian colonies,’ I must refer 
the reader to Hawkesworth’s “ Cook’s Voyages,’ Wharton’s transcript of 
Cook’s journal, and Hooker’s “ Journal of Sir Joseph Banks.’ For the 
purposes of this work the following sketch wil! be sufficient. Cook’s ship, 
the ‘ Endeavour,” left England on the 26th July, 1768. For that period, 
she was unusually well equipped for scientific work. Sir Joseph Banks, 
one of the leading naturalists of his time, and a man of much influence and 
ample fortune, volunteered to accompany the expedition, At his own 
expense he provided the requisites for making collections in every depart- 
ment of natural science, and engaged Dr. Solander, four draughtsmen or 
artists, and a staff of servants to accompany him. The cost to Banks of 
thes¢ preparations has been estimated at £10,000. After rounding Cape 
Horn, and after a stay of nearly four months at Tahiti and other islands 
of the Society Group, Cook struck south-westwards across the Pacific. 
On Friday, the 6th October, 1769, he first sighted New Zealand, and at 
once stood in for the land. Delayed by calms and baffling winds, it was 
not until the afternoon of Sunday, the 8th October, that he anchored on 
the north-west side of a deep bay, to which he afterwards gave the name 
of Poverty Bay, and almost directly opposite the present town of Gisborne. 
Cook immediately landed, accompanied by Banks and Solander, but an 
unfortunate skirmish took place with the Maoris, one of whom was shot, 
and the party returned to the ship. The next morning a landing was made 
