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dominant is a tier about 15 m. high composed chiefly of Palms 

 (e.g. Howea spp.), Screw-pines and a number of dicotylous 

 trees. Lianes are here abundant, but epiphytes rare. Of the 

 ground flora Carex gracilis and Pteris comaris may be particu- 

 larised, but the floor of the forest is frequently bare of vegeta- 

 tion, a feature attributed in the case of the Acicalyptus Forest 

 to the prevalence of pigs. Above an altitude of 300 m . the High 

 Forest gives place to Mountain Low Forest, also of Palms, Screw- 

 pines and trees, but with an abundance of Hedyscepe canter- 

 bury ana instead of Howea spp. As we ascend, this upland 

 vegetation is in turn replaced by Moss Forest characterised 

 by a dense shrub layer above which project Palms, abundant 

 Tree-ferns and Dracophyllum Fitzgeraldi. Tussock plants are 

 common, and there is a great variety of ferns, but where the 

 undergrowth is sparse the ground may be covered with mosses. 

 The outstanding feature of the Moss Forest is, however, the 

 universal abundance of epiphytes both Phanerogamic and 

 Cryptogamic. 



On exposed ridges and mountain cliffs the vegetation 

 consists, as in our own country, of Scrub, which here reaches a 

 height of from 1-2 m. Only occasionally is this sufficiently 

 sparse to permit of ground flora ; more usually it comprises a 

 dense growth of mixed shrubs. Similar scrub, but of different 

 composition, also occurs marginal to the Lowland Forest not far 

 above high-water level. 



On dry, rocky, exposed ridges of the northern hills, where 

 scrub is not developed, a herbaceous growth is found which 

 includes several members of the British flora, viz. Cynodon 

 dactylon, Gnaphalium leuteo-album, Oxalis comiculata, Poly- 

 carpon tetraphyllum and Sonchus oleraceus. 



The sand dunes are characterised by Spinijex hirsutus and 

 Ipomcea pes-caprce. The author appends a complete list of the 

 recorded species, together with notes upon their distribution 

 and habitats. 



According to Mr. Gordon (" Life History and Eradication 

 of Bracken," Trans. Highland and Agricultural Soc. of 

 Scotland, 191 6), the Bracken now has a much wider dis- 

 tribution in Scotland than formerly. It particularly favours 

 pockets of deep soil and southern slopes, but is intolerant of very 

 moist or acid conditions. The rapid increase of this plant 

 during recent years is attributed to reduction of the head of 



