6 MR. H. N. RIDLEY ON PLANTS 
situated at 10,900 ft., and was the highest point at which trees were encountered, for 
though they occurred at slightly greater altitudes elsewhere, the remainder of the 
journey was made on slopes too rocky or steep to support large growths. The first 
naturally open country met with was between Camps XI and XII. 
From Camp XII the western slope of the ridge was descended to the valley of the 
Nusulanarong, where Camp XIII was set at 10,300 ft. The low dense scrub which 
covered the sides of the ridge was thickly clad with moss, and the party traversed it 
over a network of roots and branches several feet above the ground. 
With the exception of a small area of shrubs and small trees, 20 ft. high, in the centre, 
the valley was treeless; its northern and eastern slopes were dry, but the western area 
was swampy, and this was crossed before Camp XIV and the snows were reached. Scrub 
similar to that on the east clothed the western slopes above the bog to equal height: 
thence to Camp XIV, and almost to the edge of the snow, the steep rocky slopes of 
Carstensz were clad with moss of many brilliant colours and gradually diminishing 
small scattered shrubs; just below the snow-line the last flower met with was a 
daisy (Myriactis). ; 
The expedition to Mt. Carstensz followed a river whieh took its source from the 
snows: we were therefore ascending all the time, yet, as a matter of faet, some of the 
earlier camps were placed at a higher level than those succeeding them, because the 
route there had frequently to be taken along the crest of the river-valley or across 
spurs which dropped abruptly into it. It was not until crossing the Bandarong 
(4800 ft.) beyond Camp IX that the journey, having penetrated the frontal range, 
became a steady ascent, and we had the feeling that we were really on the slopes of 
the main range. 
These data will serve as an introduction to Mr. Ridley's analysis of the flora and 
his indication of its zones. Such zones, however, for the most part, must necessarily 
have very indefinite boundaries, for the mountainous country traversed was of a very 
confused and broken nature, and it was not until the main mass was reached that clear 
altitudinal zones could be traced. 
THE BOTANICAL REGIONS OF THE EXPEDITION. 
(1) The Coast Region.—The country between the Base Camp and Camp I may be 
regarded as a coastal or lowland region rising from the sea-level to 500 ft. Here the 
forest was swampy and dense, and the flora was of a Malayan type with a few more. 
distinetly Papuan plants. 
(2) The Foothill Area from Camp I to Observation Point and thence to Camps IV, V, 
and VI, may be considered as submontane, for though the latter localities are well within 
_ the mountain region from which plants might descend to them, yet, on account of their 
| low situation in the valley of the Utakwa, they should be included in this zone of 500 to 
S GE E TERRIER e 15 
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