KAPITI ISLAND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3721, 23 October 1906, Page 4

KAPITI ISLAND.

ITS FLORA AND FAUNA. A Naturalist’s Visit.. Dr Cockayne, the well-knbwn naturalist, returned to Wellington last week after spending a fortjnight on Kapiti Island, which he visited on behalf of the Government in order to make a botanical survey. Interviewed last week by a “ New Zealand Times ” represen 1 tative, Dr Cockayne had some interesting observations to make as a result of his visit. “ The old method of investigating the vegetation of places,” remarked Dr Cockayne, “was simply to make a list of the plants and try to find out so-called new species. But that no longer satisfies modern requirements. Modern botany demands that you shall study the' plants as they grow, and as living organisms that you shall tty to find out how they got to where they are; how they are joined together into associations; and what features these various ■ plants possess in order that theji can live in their present surroundings, . I was the first, man in the Southern Hemisphere to wort botany on these lines. “ There are three islands sei apart by the New Zealand Govern

ment as natural museums, where the plants and animals are living in their primitive condition—-kit-tle Barrier Island is a magnificent example of the almost extinct flora of Northern Auckland. Resolu-j tion Island is an example of the; Western Otago flora, which is much more sub-antarctic in character; whilst Kapiti represents a portion ;of the flora of that part of New Zealand to, which I have given the name of the Central Province, and which lies between latitude 38. in the North and about the latitude of Westport in the South, Cook’s. Strait forming no barrier whatever between the ■floras of Wellington, Nelson and Marlborough. With regard to, this line, .latitude,3B, there is one very interesting point. The plants north of this line are very largely Australian, and the earthworms are Australian also ; while.south of this line the earth-worms are South American, some, for instance, being almost identical with those of Terra del Fuego and Kerguelen Islands. ‘ ‘ One of the peculiarities about the Kapiti forest is that it contains no shrubs of any kind, the shrubby growth so common in New Zealand forests being represented, by young specimens of the ordinary forest trees. There are very large

examples of the rata, which raise themselves many feet above the general level of the forest, but’in more than 60 per cent of cases , these trees which reach above the j forest roof are either killed out- ■ right or only their bases remain. The forest of Kapiti, as seep from the exterior, presents a study in greens. There is the dafk glossy green karaka ; the pale yellowish green mahoe; the bricht glossy green ‘ melicope ternata ’ ; and large areas of the dull, almost brownish green of the manuka, while here and there the scene is brightened by the wealth of white blossoms of a, ot olearia. The majority;"Of„th‘e. trees of Kapiti bear juicy hecnes Jl ;abd : this is a most importautmatter in an island where the protection of native bird life is as.essential. “ Speaking of the birds. The morepork is. wont to sit on the caretaker’s house. On neighbouring trees congregate the beautiful pigedns; everywhere in the bush can be heard the songs of birds and the whirl of wings. The robin—the ‘ bushman’s friend ’ as he is called—is, strange to say, the South Island aiid not the North Island species. On the lagoon at the north end of the island are ducks and teal. Mutton birds make their home near the summit of a mighty precipice which flanks the whole western side of the island. In holes near the shore the blue penguin has its nesting place. “ Kapiti, too, is interesting from the human standpoint. Here the fierce Te Rauparaha in days gone by had his stronghold; here in the j early days toiled the intrepid whalers. It may be said that this plant and animal sanctuary is not merely a most important asset to New Zealand, but its being set, apart for that purpose has been applauded and welcomed by the scientists of many nations. It is sincerely to be hoped that no stone will be left unturned to keep it intact, and as nearly as possible in