X1V PREFACE. 
Of the 1,763 species comprising the indigenous vascular flora of 
New Zealand, 1,329, or 75-4 per cent., are confined to the Dominion. 
Of the 434 species which are found elsewhere, 369 extend to Australia 
and 112 to temperate South America. The last figure includes 30 
species found in temperate South America and New Zealand but not 
in Australia. Of the 369 Australian species, 252 do not extend to 
South America at all, 82 extend to temperate South America, some 
being tropical as well, while 35 extend to tropical but not to temperate 
South America. There are 35 species of vascular plants found in New 
Zealand and some country other than Australia or South America. . |) 
The local distribution of the species is as follows: Found in both 
the main Islands, 847 species; found in the North Island but not in 
the South Island, 250 species (three of these also found in Stewart 
Island); found in the South Island but not in the North Island, 
528 species. The outlying islands contain many plants not occurring 
in other portions of the Dominion, though some may extend to 
Australia, South America, or other countries. In the Kermadec Islands 
are 25 species; in the Chatham Islands, 33 species (including 1 species 
also found in the Auckland Islands); in Stewart Island, 22 species; 
in the Subantarctic Islands, including The Snares, Auckland, Campbell, 
and Antipodes Islands, 56 species. (The localities of two species 
described in the present edition are unknown.) 
In correcting the proofs of Mr. Cheeseman’s Manual the work has 
been mainly to ensure that the manuscript has been printed correctly, 
hence I have come in contact mostly with the Government Printer and 
his stafl, and particularly with the Superintendent, to whom I tender 
my sincere thanks for many obliging acts. My thanks are also due to 
Dr. L. Cockayne and Professor H. B. Kirk for advice in selecting the 
matter which I have contributed, and to Mr. J. H. Maiden, Director 
of the Sydney Botanic Gardens, for supplymg dates for many refer- 
ences which were not accessible to me. 
I should also mention that shortly after Mr. Cheeseman died the 
matter of carrying on the work of seeing the Manual through the 
Press was referred to the Board of Science and Art, and by its decision 
I was selected. I have felt fully the responsibility of the honour thus 
bestowed on me. The task has proved somewhat long and arduous, 
but I trust that the errors which I have failed to detect will not 
detract from the value or appearance of Mr. Cheeseman’s work. 
W. R. B. OLIVER. 
