Poppelwell and W. A. Thomson. — Botany of Hollyford Valley. 147 



The hillsides are very steep, and give ample facilities for the growth of both 

 sun- and shade-loving plants. The bush -line ascends to about 2,800 ft. 

 or 3.000 ft. The trees throughout the valley are very high and have fairly 

 close tops, but the high rainfall helps the formation of a stronger under- 

 growth than is usual in beech forests. 



The Forest Association. 



Round about Lake Howden the forest is almost entirely a Nothofagus 

 one, but an immediate change is noticeable as soon as the descent to the 

 Hollvford is commenced. The principal beech-trees are Nothofagus Menziesii 

 and N. Solanderi, although N. fusca is found in patches and N. Blairii is 

 also present. Gradually the forest changes as the valley is descended, until 

 the taxads Dacrydium cupressinum, Podocarpus spicatus, and P. fenugineus 

 form a large part of the vegetation. P. Hallii and P. dacrydioides are also 

 found, but do not appear to be anywhere very plentiful in the valley. The 

 undergrowth consists of a second tier of smaller trees, the association being 

 principally Pittosporum, Colensoi, Nothopaiia.r Edgerleyi, Carpodetus serratus, 

 Metrosideros lucida (not abundant), Weinmarj,nia racemosa (comparatively 

 rare), and Griselinia littoralis, with a fair sprinkling of the fern-trees 

 Hemitelia Smiihii and Dicksonia fibrosa, and a considerable growth of 

 Coprosma scrub and ferns. The islands in the river are usually covered 

 with Coriaria ruscifolia. Cordyline australis, and Ann/do conspicua, while 

 Pratia angulaia and Helichrysum bellidioides cover the open spaces. 



Summary. 



Perhaps the most interesting of our " finds " are Metrosideros florida 

 Smith, and M . scandens Sol. Freycinetia Banksii A. Cunn. was common at 

 both Martin's Bay and Lake Alabaster. Wahlenbergia eongesta N. E. Brown 

 was noted at Martin's Bay, which adds to the few known habitats of the 

 species. The locality where found and relative abundance of the species 

 are mentioned in the list. The total number of species noted was 226, 

 belonging to 129 genera and 56 families. 



LIST OF INDIGENOUS PLANTS. 



PTERIDOPHYTA. 



Hymenophyllaceae. 



Trichomanes reniforme Forst. f. Forest ; not uncommon. 



venosum R. Br. Forest ; rare. 



Hymenophyllum sanguinolentum (Forst. f.) Sw. Tree-trunks. 



dilatatum (Forst. f.) Sw. Not very common. 

 ferrugineum Colla. Fairly common. 



tunbridgense (L.) Sm. On tree-trunks. 



demissum (Forst. f.) Sw. Not uncommon. 



fiabellatum, Labill. Not plentiful. 



Cyatheaceae. 



Gyathea medullaris (Forst. f.) Sw. Martin's Bay ; somewhat rare. 



Hemitelia Smithii (Hook, f.) Hook Throughout 



Alsophila Colensoi Hook. f. Not uncommon. 



Dicksonia fibrosa Col. Not plentiful. 



Leptolepia novae-zelandiae (Col.) Kuhn. Head of Hollyford Valley. 



