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1. Genebal Remarks. Few incidents are more to be regretted in the settlement of new countries than the more or less complete destruction —unavoidable in many cases —of the fauna and flora. This is especially to be deplored when the members of these are of a rare or peculiar character. Such destruction has taken place in New Zealand to an extreme degree. In the neighbourhood of towns, large and small; along most of the railway-lines ; everywhere, indeed, where the land has been specially suitable for settlement, the native animals and plants have been in large measure replaced by those of other lands. And these animals and plants are one of New Zealand's assets. Not a few of both classes have their like nowhere else upon the globe ; while, if we consider the plants alone, their manifold combinations, and the congregation of so many peculiar biological forms, can be met with in no other temperate region of equal area. These facts have been recognised more or less fully by various New Zealand Governments, while the recent one more especially has shown its interest in this important matter by the passing of the Scenery Preservation Act, which has set apart numerous areas throughout the length and breadth of the colony for the protection of their animal and plant inhabitants. More interesting still from the scientific standpoint is the fact that three islands have been for some time set aside as sanctuaries for plant and animal life. These islands belong to quite different categories, and have been chosen most wisely on that account. Little Barrier Island, situated in the Hauraki Gulf, is densely covered with forest, which is closely related to that of northern Auckland, and contains many characteristic northern New Zealand species. Of these the kauri (Agalhis australis), the pohutukawa (Metrosideros tomentosa), the houpara (Pseudopanax lessonii), the karo (Pittosporum crassifolium), Hymenanthera latifolia, Sicyos australis, and the mangemange (Lygodium articidatum) may be mentioned. Birds are extremely plentiful, and the almost extinct short-tailed bat and tuatara have there their home. Resolution Island has the typical vegetation of the West Coast sounds. It also is densely covered with forests, while on its high lands are rich meadows of alpine plants. Its flora, however, has never been investigated, so no precise details are available. From my personal observations I can only mention the beautiful shrubs which, dip almost into the salt water — Olearia operina, Senecio rotundifolius, Dracophyllum longifolium, and Veronica elliptica ; also the noble forest of various taxads and beeches, with an undergrowth of ferns, lichens, mosses, and liverworts, equalling those of a moist mountain-forest in the tropics. As for Kapiti, its flora is different from either of the above, and is closely related to that of the neighbouring mainland of Wellington on the one hand and Marlborough on the other, although the forest itself, like that of all small islands, possesses some peculiar characters and combinations. Although the reserve had been acquired in part by the Government for some time, it was only during 1906 that a caretaker was appointed, and that a serious attempt has been made to keep its birds and plant-covering absolutely inviolate. The sanctuary is under the direct control of the Department of Lands; and, in order to learn with some degree of definiteness of what its vegetation consisted, the Hon. R. McNab, Minister of Lands, intrusted me with the pleasing task of making a botanical survey of the island. This work is especially important at the present juncture, since it will enable exact comparisons to be made in the future, when the island shall have been cleared in large measure of all animals antagonistic to its purpose as a bird and plant sanctuary. Moreover, it is thought that this account may be of considerable use to any local or foreign naturalist who may visit the reserve; while to the colonists in general precise details as to the contents of the island —or, in other words, a catalogue of a unique natural museum —is one of the necessities of its existence. A special matter also, which lends additional interest, is that Kapiti, together with Mana Island and The Brothers, must be a remnant of the ancient land bridge which connected the North and the South Islands, and its vegetation be, in consequence, the remnant of one formerly much more extensive. My visit to the island was paid during the early part of October, 1906, and occupied about fourteen days. During that time I ascended to the summit of the highest peak and to the top of the cliffs further to the south, examined the forest in various localities and the coastal vegetation, visited the north end of the island, and the small outlying island, Tokomapuna. Unfortunately, as the Caretaker has no boat, I was unable to examine the extreme southern portion of the island. October is in many respects favourable for investigating the indigenous vegetation, but is too early for identifying a number of the introduced plants, notably the grasses, consequently my list of these foreign species is by no means complete; while, as for the indigenous species, it would be very unlikely had I not missed a certain number. Before concluding these preliminary remarks I must mention the great assistance I have received from Mr. E. A. Newson, the energetic and enthusiastic Caretaker, who spared neither time nor arduous exertion in assisting my work. My warmest thanks are also due to the Hon. R. McNab, Minister of Lands ; to Messrs. H. G. Ell, M.H.R.; T. W. Kirk, F.L.S., Government Biologist; R. Speight, M.A., B.Sc.; the Department of Lands, all of whom have rendered me valuable aid. 2. Physical Geography. The small island of Kapiti is situated in Cook Strait, at a distance of about three nautical miles from the adjacent coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It occupies an area of 4,990 acres, and is rather more than six miles in length, with an almost uniform breadth of a mile and a quarter. Somewhat oblong in shape, it rises abruptly as a high ridge out of the sea. Its westerly side is one huge precipice, reaching a height of 1,700 ft. in some places, and yearly wearing away rapidly—the rotten nature of the rock, the violence of wind and wave, and other causes leading to excessive weathering. On the eastern side very steep slopes, covered with forest for the most part, descend to the sea. These

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