higher and more perpendicular, with numerous huge caves, into which the seas broke with a deep hollow rear. Rounding the next point we entered a deep bay, that almost cuts the island into two, and in which we obtained good shelter from the heavy easterly swell running outside. We anchored abont a quarter of a mile from the shore, the depth being about 18 fathoms, and shortly afterwards landed with comparatively little difficulty at the head of the bay, on a rough boulder beach, everywhere encumbered with large masses of rock that had fallen from the cliffs above.
The cliff at the head of the bay is at least 350 feet high at its lowest point, and the chinb to the top, although by no means difficult, was steep and rugged, The first plants noticed after leaving the beach were well-known maritime species, such as th ice-plant (Mesembryanthemum australe), the wild celery (Apium australe), Spergularia rubra, Senecio lantus, Lobelia anceps, Isolepis nodosa, ete, Scrambling among the rocks were large masses of Sicyos angulatus, and the pretty white-flowered Angelica rosefolia. A little higher up, clumps of dwarf tea-tree were passed through alternating with patches of flax (Phormium tenax) and toetoe grass (Arundo conspicua). A few small trees of the rare Pisoni unbellifera were noticed, one of them covered with the viscis seed-vessels that so often catch small birds, such as the white-eye or fan-tail, that are so unfortunate as to touch them, Here too, a handsome new Pittosporum was gathered, allied to the karo (P. crassifolium) and to P. umbellatum. It differs from the first in the broader flat leaves, which are quite glabrous when mature, and from the second in the fewer flowers and very differently shaped seed-vessels. It has ornamental foliage, and its mode of growth is neat aud compact, so that it will prove an acceptable addition to our gardens. I have named it Pittsporum fairchildi, in honour of the well-known commander of the Stella. Two other shrubs deserve mention; Hymenanthera latifolia, a scarce plant in New Zealand, except on outlying islands of similar character to the Three Kings, but of common occurrence in Norfolk Island; and the glossy-leaved Coprosma baueriana, so very plentiful on maritime rocks all round the North Island. On some rocky ledges near the top of the cliff a handsome fern new to New Zealand was collected. It belongs to the genus Darallia, and is probably a variety of the well-known Australian and Norfolk Island D. pyridata. It was afterwards found to be plentiful over the greater part of the island. Reaching the top of the cliff, we found ourselves only a short distance from the head of another bay, stretching in from the south side, and which, with the one we had left, very nearly, divides the island into two. As we had not time to explore both portions, a start was made for the highest peak, which is situated in the north-western half of the island.
