382 Transactions. — 2Iiscellaneoits. 



They are very hilly and broken, and well watered with many 

 fine streams. The formation is partly granite and volcanic, 

 and partly sedimentary. The lower portions are usually 

 covered with bush, which consists mostly of mountain rata 

 (Metrosideros lucicla), which grows to a height of 30ft., and 

 sometimes has a diameter of 2ft. These trees have a very 

 pretty appearance from their dark-green shining leaves. There 

 is also the ivy tree {Panax simplex), the stink-wood [Goprosma 

 fostidissima) — so called from its bad smell when cut — and a 

 close-growing bush very similar to tea-tree. Open places are 

 covered with herbaceous plants of considerable size and great 

 beauty, such as Plcurophyllum speciosiim. This is allied to 

 the cotton-plant of the Southern Alps, but is more beautiful. 

 It grows several feet in height, and is covered with clusters of 

 purple flowers. There are two species of Ligusticum which 

 are very prominent. The flowers are pink and white, in dense 

 clusters, and the leaves are green, with sharp-pointed divisions. 

 They are closely allied to the aniseed plant growing in the 

 Southern Alps. Another handsome plant is called golden 

 lily {Antliericum rossi) by the sealers, on account of the 

 bright-yellow blossoms. Upon the hills the chief vegetation 

 is the tussock-grass, among which are a few flowering-plants, 

 the blue, red, and white veronicas being the most abundant. 

 The ground is often very boggy, and in other places we find 

 only barren rocks. 



We landed with a load of timber for a boat-shed. Some 

 sea-lions were amusing themselves on the sand, but they 

 walked lazily away on our approach. The shed was quickly 

 put up under the captain's supervision. The noise of the 

 hammers made animal life active. The sea-lions drew nearer, 

 looking on with surprise. Eabbits, which are very numerous, 

 raced about in all directions. Some wild dogs were si:ieaking 

 about, but would not come close to us. On Enderby Island 

 were several huts made of tussock-grass, bound together with 

 thongs of the sea-lion's hide. These were constructed by the 

 survivors from the wreck of the " Derry Castle." On the top 

 of the hill was a life-buoy, wdiich they had fixed on a long 

 piece of wood to serve as a signal. After a boat was put into 

 the shed and signboards fixed we steamed up the harbour 

 to the depot at Erebus Cove, landing several sheep, and sup- 

 plying the depot with provisions, clothing, matches, tools, &c. 

 Here was the boat in which the survivors from the " Derry 

 Castle " came across from Enderby Island. 



On the 25th we steamed up to the head of the harbour 

 known as Sarah's Bosom, putting up signboards to direct 

 shipwrecked sailors to the depot. We saw a boat painted blue, 

 also two columns 4ft. high and 1ft. 6in. square, with a flag of 

 cement bearing the inscription, " German Expedilion, 1874." 



