Page:Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute - Volume 1 (2nd ed.).djvu/208

174 Never having had an opportunity of botanizing in the Provinces of Canterbury or Otago, I have felt unable to meet that portion of the Commissioners’ request which embraces a comparative view of the floras of the different provinces of the South Island. Under these circumstances, I considered myself extremely fortunate in persuading my friend Mr. Travers, lately of Christchurch, who is well known to all students of New Zealand botany as one of its most zealous and active promoters, to place at my disposal the result of his observations in this direction. Mr. Travers has botanized both in Nelson and Canterbury, and to his explorations among the mountains of both provinces, the scientific world is indebted for the discovery of some very beautiful and remarkable novelties. I cannot do better than append to this essay of mine the letter which he has kindly written me on the subject.

I forward also an account which I have received from Dr. Hector of the most striking features of the flora of the Province of Otago, more especially having reference to the grouping of plants in certain zones shown to be dependent on climatic conditions, these in their turn dependent upon altitude above the sea level, and the position and arrangement of the mountain masses, as affecting above all the amount of humidity in the atmosphere. I am sure that this communication will be read with great interest. The ground it enters on has been hitherto untrodden, and the well-merited reputation of the author, not only as a distinguished geologist but an acute and accurate observer in every department of natural science, must give to his remarks a more than ordinary interest, and be a guarantee for their scientific accuracy.

some hesitation in entering upon so difficult a subject as a comparison of the floras of the Provinces of Nelson and Marlborough on the one hand and that of Canterbury on the other; and but for the fact that you permit me to confine myself to the question in its very broadest aspects, I should at once have pleaded my inability to enter upon it.