Page:Manual of the New Zealand Flora.djvu/15



history of botanical discovery in New Zealand falls naturally and conveniently into two periods of almost equal duration. The first commences with the year 1769, in which Cook made his first visit, and closes with the establishment of British supremacy and the commencement of systematic colonisation 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 will 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