Title: Early New Zealand Botanical Art

Author: F. Bruce Sampson

Publication details: Reed Methuen, 1985, Auckland

Digital publication kindly authorised by: F. Bruce Sampson

Part of: New Zealand Texts Collection

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Early New Zealand Botanical Art

[section]

This book, commissioned by the New Zealand Government, was published in l889. It contains 159 lithographic plates, of which seven are from photos, and illustrates 108 currently recognised species of trees and shrubs, including conifers. A good feature of the book is that any distinctive juvenile forms are illustrated. Most plants are depicted their natural size, but enlarged figures of flowers and fruits are frequently included. A less attractive feature is that "no attempt was made to arrange the species in systematic order", as it was intended that the work would be published in parts.

The plants chosen were all of economic or potentially economic value. Kirk's text describes each plant, its cultivation, properties, uses and distribution, and comments on each plate. His style of writing is superb, and the book makes fascinating reading, especially in its historical detail. One reads, for instance, that the heartwood of ake-ake (Dodonaea viscosa) is so tough that it was used, with good results, as a substitute for brass in machine bearings.

At least one copy of Forest Flora has (hand) coloured plates, and this is in the Turnbull Library, Wellington. Forest Flora sold for twelve shillings and sixpence, "in order to bring this valuable work within the reach of all" (George Didsbury, Government Printer).