112 



NEW ZEALAND PLANTS. 



Bogs occur even on the scoria of the central plateau of the North 

 Island, if water oozes out of the ground in sufficient quantity. An 

 interesting plant of these bogs is a member of the gentian family 

 (Liparophyllum Gunnii), which has a very thick creeping stem and 

 profusion of tiny white star-like blossoms. It may be pointed out 

 that this plant is the sole species of the genus, which is found only in 

 this countrv and Tasmania. 



* 





"mm : 



miL .-'' 'f- v ?- ' : 



FIG. 53. Cushion of Gaimardia ciliata, growing on a bog in Stewart Island. 

 Lands Department.] [Photo, L. Cockayne. 



Very characteristic of bogs are the sundews (Drosera), and they 

 deserve, at any rate, a passing word. As shown above, the bog- 

 water lacks available nitrogen. The small, spoonlike leaves of the 

 sundews are provided with glandular hairs, at the end of which a 

 shining drop of fluid may usually be seen. This contains a substance 

 which has the power of acting on animal matter in much the same 

 manner as the gastric juice. Should a small insect alight on a drosera 



