50 MISS L. S. GIBBS ON THE FLORA AND PLANT FORMATIONS 
surrounding country. Kinabalu is also the watershed for the whole northern 
portion of the country, and it is its magnificent forest growth alone which 
restrains the terrific force of water that pours down from the granite core, 
restricting the same to the courses mapped out in the sequence of the ages. 
Once interfere with that growth and all the clay slopes of the mountain 
with the homes of the inhabitants, whom bitter experience no doubt has 
taught to respect the agent of their well-being, will be washed towards the 
coast and the granite core exposed in its uncompromising nakedness to the 
- unrestrained fury of the elements. The whole area of the primary forest 
should therefore be rigorously reserved. 
3. The mossy forest. 
Beginning on the southern spur at 6000' and occurring in intervals again 
at 7500’ and at 9000’. On the Maraiparai spur it obtains from 5500-8000’, 
losing itself on the granite core, whilst on Penibukan and Gurulau spurs it 
is found on the ridges at about 5000! in each case. 
4. The scrub formation on the exposed serpentine. 
Apparently limited to favourable conditions of illumination and un- 
favourable edaphie conditions, being found only on the disintegrating 
serpentine of the exposed ridges, which is converted into a clay soil holding 
water tenaciously, and forming a cold clammy substratum that limits 
all growth to shrubby plants. This serpentine being exposed on the 
Maraiparai at 5000-5500', we find the same association on that small area. 
In cases where the rock is not so exposed, as where the ridge broadens out, 
small spaced trees grow gregariously. 
5. The low sheltered forest. 
Of densely-growing trees about 7 m. in height, with little undergrowth, 
and what there is suggestive of prevailing acid conditions. Sandstone rocks 
occur in this formation and in parts standing water, which apparently does 
not affect the plant association. This formation extends from about 9500 to 
10,500' ; therefore Stapf's upper mountain zone would include the last three 
formations. 
6. The sub-summit dwarf forest. 
Fully exposed to the light and consisting of symmetrical dwarf trees in 
close association and about 3 m. in height, with no undergrowth, but showing 
a shrub sub-formation where the trees open out. 
7. The grantte core. 
Showing the open shrub-formation facies, members being limited entirely 
to the cracks in the exposed granite; the plants, chiefly shrubby, are reduced 
