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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 63

Note

page 336

Note.

Since the above Lecture was delivered I have observed that Professor Rolleston is reported in Nature (No. 47, Sept. 22, 1870, p. 426) to have made the following remark in addressing the Biological Section of the British Association, in September last, namely, "To this I would add that experiments with a positive result, and that positive results in favour of the second hypothesis, if hypothesis it can be called, are being constantly tried in our colonies for us, and on a large scale. I had taken and written here of the polygonum aviculare, the "knot" or "cowgrass"—having learnt on the authority of Dr. Hooker and Mr. Travers (see Natural History Review, January, 1864, p. 124., Oct, 1864 p. 619), that it abounds in New Zealand, along the roadside, just as it does in England as a glaring instance, and one which would illustrate the real value of the second explanation even to an unscientific man and to an unassisted eye. But on Saturday last I received by post one of those evidences, which make an Englishman proud in thinking that whithersoever ships can float thither shall the English language, English manners, and English Science be carried, in the shape of the second volume of the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute, full like the first, from beginning to the last page with thoroughly good matter. In that volume, having looked at its table of contents, I turned to a paper by Mr. T. Kirk on the Naturalized Plants of New Zealand, and in this, at p. 142, I find that Mr. T. Kirk prefers to regard the Polygonum aviculare New Zealand as indigenous in New Zealand. Hence that illustration which would have been a good one falls from my hands."

I regret to differ with Mr. Kirk in regard to Polygonum aviculare being indigenous in New Zealand. In common with others, who for upwards of twenty years have had large opportunities of observing the flora of this country over very extensive areas, I look upon it as an introduced plant. Dr. Hector and Mr. Buchanan in particular both concur with me on this point. The natives, moreover, who suffer much inconveniences from its spread, call it a "pakeha" or foreigner.—W. T. L. Travers.