2b NEW XE.U.AXD PLANTS. 



and to the latter the upland and subalpine beech forests and the 

 swamp forests of kahikatea. 



Let us consider first the ordinary mixed forests, the " bush ' 

 l>r excellence. These differ so considerably in their composition as 

 really to constitute different societies, but all have much in common. 



GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MIXED FOREST. 



With one or two exceptions the trees are evergreen, and consist 

 of many species belonging to diverse families. Occasionally the bases 



' V' 



i V * A 



FIG. 7. --Base of Kahikatea (Podocnrpiift dacrydioides), showing tlie rounded 

 l)uttresses. Ancient forest of Canterbury Plain, Riccarton. 



[Photo, T-. Cockayne. 



of the trunks develop plank-like buttresses (tig. 7), and their upper- 

 most roots frequently stretch over the forest-floor, half-buried, or at 

 times raised high above the ground. Such roots and bases of the 

 trees are closely covered with mosses and liverworts. In their inter- 

 stices humus lodges, in which many ferns and seedling plants find a 

 fitting home. 



The forest is made up of different layers, if we consider the general 

 level of the foliage. The tall trees form the uppermost layer : the 



