39 
glinting red through the dark green foliage, a fortunate fact, deciding the 
genus of a very prevalent species of conifer, of which it was certain that the 
abundant seedlings in various growth-forms could only represent a new 
Dacrydium sp., but the search for fruiting specimens at lower altitudes 
proved unsuccessful. 
In reference to this exposed lichen-covered plateau a quotation from 
Lorenz (22, viii. (1909) 178) in “ Nova Guinea” suggests the presence of a 
similar association on the Charles Louis Mountains, while Mr. Stroeve of the 
Dutch Navy, whom I had the pleasure of meeting at Manokoeari after my 
return from the Arfak, described what seemed a very similar formation as 
vecurring on the mountains to the south of Geelvink Bay at about the same 
altitude, where not only the practice of burning obtains but potatoes are also 
grown. [heard later with great regret of the untimely fate of this promising 
young officer, who, after most successful exploration and surveying work 
on the Ruffaier River, was treacherously shot by arrow by Papuans on the 
Waroza River, near the coast to the east of Geelvink Bay (26, 782). 
PHYTOGEOGRAPHICAL CONCLUSIONS. 
These may be summarized as follows :— 
(1) New Guinea, the centre of distribution for many so-called 
Polynesian, Australian, and to a lesser extent Malayan types, of 
which the Papuan species are not only older in type, but also 
show extraordinarily pronounced specific differentiation. 
(2) Wide distribution in New Guinea of endemic Mountain types. 
(3) Low Mountain Forest formation approximates to the Ridge forma- 
tion of Mt. Kinabalu and the Philippines. 
(4) Mountain Forest Flora of the Arfak Mountains possibly represents 
the oldest Papuan type. 
(5) Pteridophytic and Bryophytic Floras are more Polynesian than 
Malayan in incidence and luxuriance. 
(6) Open “ Opportunity ” Plant Associations offer further proof of the 
autochthonous character of the Papuan Flora. 
1. NEW GUINEA THE CENTRE OF DISTRIBUTION FOR MANY SO-CALLED 
MALAYAN, POLYNESIAN, AND AUSTRALIAN TYPES, 
Evidence of New Guinea as the centre of distribution for many plant- 
types, so far considered Polynesian or Australian, has been strikingly 
confirmed on the present occasion. Emphasized by the well-known botanists 
who have worked out the results, such evidence has been a marked feature 
of recent Dutch and German exploration, and was also shown in Kloss’s 
Mt. Cartensz collections '. 
4 Ridley, H. N., “ Report on the Botany of the Wollaston Expedition to Dutch New 
- Guinea,” Trans. Liss. Soe., ser. 2, Bot. ix. (1916) 1-269, pls. i.—vi. 
