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filiformis, were abundant, together with Selliera radicans, Cav., at the east end of the lake. Isoëtes Kirkii occurred in scattered patches in many parts of the lake, but was nowhere so abundant as at Whangape, nor did it make any approach to covering the bottom in those places where it grew; this is probably owing to the shifting sandy nature of the bed of the lake. The uliginal vegetation is similar to that of Whangape Lake.
The Waihi Lake is smaller than either of those just described; it has, however, a more copious vegetation than either. The very imperfect examination made of this lake, exhibited Elatine Americana, and most of the plants previously collected, together with an undescribed Cladium, with a much branched drooping panicle and long sheathing bracts, but the specimens were too far advanced to admit of an accurate diagnosis being drawn. A slender Utricularia, with weak stems two feet long, much divided capillary leaves, and rather large bladders on the leaves, was observed in several places at the bottom of the lake, but, of course, without fruit or flower at this season. It may prove to be a form of U. protrusa, Hook., originally discovered by Mr. Colenso in the Bay of Plenty, and which has not been found elsewhere.
Tetragonia expansa, usually confined to the vicinity of the sea, occurred by the marshes, and as an abundant weed on native cultivations; nearly every specimen was proliferous, a phenomenon I have not before noticed in connection with this plant.
At Taupiri, Rangiriri, and other places, the false acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia) is abundantly naturalized; it already forms coppices in many localities, and from its great diirability is likely to prove serviceable for fencing purposes. The ordinary cultivated fruits, the fig, peach, vine, Kentish cherry, strawberry, raspberry, and tomato, are abundantly naturalized in many localities; the tobacco and thorn-apple (Datura stramonium) are occasionally met with, and Navarretia squarrosa, Hook. and Arn., is plentiful at Ngaruawahia, whilst the vicinity of every township and military post is marked by a large number of exotic grasses and viatical plants, one of the most common being Lepidium ruderale, a littoral plant which has, of late years, spread largely over the interior of the British Islands, and is increasing rapidly in this colony.
Above Ngaruawahia the current of the Waikato becomes much more rapid, consequently the vegetation at the margin of the river is greatly diminished in quantity, forming a marked contrast with that of the sluggish Waipa, which is fringed with a dense margin of iliginal and paludal plants. Approaching Hamilton, the river runs between high banks, clothed with Weinmannia racemosa and other shrubs, mixed with luxuriant clumps of wharaekie (Phormium Colensoi); in fruit this plant is easily distinguished from P. tenax by its twisted and rounded capsules, which are invariably pendulous, never erect and angled as in P. tenax. The fibre is also much weaker, in fact,
