THE FORESTS. 37 



roots which grow into a solid " root-trunk" ; the former host is locked 

 in their embrace and stifled. The northern rata (Metrosideros robusta), 

 the tree-heath of the Chathams (DracophyUum arboreum), and in the 

 south the broadleaf (Griselinia littoralis) (fig. 13) frequently behave 

 in this most ungrateful manner. 



Though many plants are eager to get into the fresh air and sun- 

 light, others are the reverse, and have developed different adaptations 

 in accord with other aspirations. The interior of a thick forest has 

 an atmosphere charged with vapour not altogether unlike that of a 

 glasshouse. Plants living under such conditions are subject to much 

 the same environment as submerged water-plants, and have deve- 

 loped similar leaves, which are so thin as to be able to absorb any 

 water which may fall upon their surfaces. Such, amongst others, are 

 the filmy ferns (species of Hymenophyllum and Trichomanes), the 

 beautiful crape-fern Todaea superba, and its relative Todaea hymeno 

 phylloides. Plants like these can exist only in a moist atmosphere ; 

 the full rays of the sun or a dry atmosphere cause them to shrivel up, 

 and thev soon die when removed from their forest home. Manv 



V / 



mosses and liverworts also belong to this category, and mimic in their 

 forms the smaller ferns, to which, of course, they bear no relationship. 



THE FLOWERS OF THE FOREST. 



New Zealand forests are not distinguished for their brilliant flowers. 

 On the contrary, most of our forest blossoms are inconspicuous and of 

 a dull colour. But there are some notable exceptions. The northern 

 and southern ratas (Metrosideros robusta and M. lucida) bear mul- 

 titudes of crimson blossoms. The yellow kowhai (Sophora grandi- 

 flora and S. mierophylla) has been fitly termed the New Zealand 

 laburnum. The various species of trees known as lacebark (Hoheria 

 populnea, H. sexstylosa, and H, angusti folia) are, in their season, dense 

 masses of snowy flowers. Pennantia corymbosa (the kaikomako) vies 

 in its purity with any bridal flower. The putaputaweta (Carpodetiis 

 serratus) is a rival of the English may. The tawiri (Ixerba brexioides) 

 of the Auckland upland forest is so showy that the Maoris had a special 

 name, " whakou," for its blooms. The tree-manuka (Leptospermum 

 ericoides), with its multitude of white or pinkish flowers, quite equals 

 the popular Spiraea Thunbergi of gardens. 



The heketara (Olearia Cunninghamii) produces multitudes of daisy- 

 like flowers in the spring. The wineberry (Aristotelia racemosa, mako- 



