484 MB. H. N. MOSELET OX THE 



dwarfed as it grows further and further from water. The two Lyco- 

 pods (Lycopodium Saururus, Lam., and L. clavatum, var. rnagellani- 

 cum, Sw.) were abundant, the larger species affecting drier situa- 

 tions than the smaller. Of the ferns the Lomaria alpina is the 

 most conspicuous, forming thick and wide patches amongst the 

 Accena and grass, and occurring abundantly everywhere. Aspi- 

 dium mohriodes, Bory, was found growing under sheltered banks 

 beside the small stream together with the other three ferns. Of 

 the Asplenium-like fern only one patch was found, in a dark cavity 

 under a fallen rock. The Aspidium is not abundant. Ih/meno- 

 pJiyllum tunbridgense and Polypodiu?n australe grow abundantly on 

 the sheltered sides of the projecting rock-masses already men- 

 tioned, but are dwarfed and almost hidden amongst the mosses. 

 They grow in greatest luxuriance on the damp banks of the stream. 



The mosses are in most striking abundance, and, in some very 

 wet places, form continuous sheets over the ground many square 

 yards in extent. Lichens are not in very great quantity, except 

 the incrusting forms, which are tolerably abundant on the rocks. 

 There was not sufficient time available to allow of these being 

 collected carefully* One Agaric was found growing on Azorella 

 apparently A.glebarum, described by Mr. Berkeley as growing on 

 Bolax in the Falklands (Fl. Antarct.). 



An attempt was made to reach the actual upper limit of vege- 

 tation, but failed from being commenced too late in the day. The 

 ascent was up the bed of the small stream already mentioned, 

 which lay at the verge of one of the modern lava-flows, where it 

 abutted on a low cliff exposing a more ancient flow in section. The 

 more recent flow had a very gradual inclination of not more than 8 . 

 The first scattered patches of snow were encountered at about an 

 elevation of 800 feet. A patch of Pringlea was met with at 1000 

 feet. The highest point reached was at about 1500 feet elevation. 

 Here the Ranunculus had disappeared, and where growing a little 

 lower down was very much dwarfed. The Azorella, with a few 

 mosses, formed the principal vegetation ; but the green was merely 

 dotted over the bare rock and stones. 



The patches of snow were here frequent. The Azorella appeared 

 from this point to be continued on for about 300 feet more, be- 

 coming scantier and scantier. The absolute limit of vegetation 

 may probably be placed at about 2000 feet. The part explored 

 was somewhat sheltered. A red cone of scoriae more exposed was 

 quite bare of green from about 1000 feet elevation upwards. 



