298 Transactions. 



alpine scrub. The alpine forms of Dracophyllum, Veronica, 

 and Olearia, so usual in similar alpine districts, were practically 

 absent. Celmisias, too, were few, only two species being noted ; 

 C. glandulosa and C. incana were nowhere observed. 



At the lower levels Astelia nervosa determined the general 

 appearance of the land, and at all higher levels Danthonia 

 Raoulii played the same role. On the high plateau no shrubby 

 growth of any kind was present, the heavy long-lying snows of 

 winter being no doubt responsible for this. 



Introduced plants have as yet hardly obtained any footing 

 on the alpine meadow of the Tararuas. In years to come, 

 when the wide belt of forest land on the slopes of the range has 

 been more largely cleared off, a free invasion may be expected, 

 and the changes that will then ensue will afford the cecologists 

 of the future an instructive field for research. 



It is not easy to combine a watchful regard for the plants 

 about your feet with that free range of the eye that is required 

 to note and dwell on scenic beauties, but the most absorbed 

 plant-lover could not be blind or indifferent to the grand and 

 extensive views that the high tops command. The western 

 plains as far as snow-capped Egmont and Ruapehu, the distant 

 ghostly outlines of the Kaikouras and the high ranges of 

 southern and western Nelson, the whole neighbourhood of 

 C)ok Strait, and the plains and hilly country away to the eastern 

 ocean, all lie spread out as it were at your feet. The most 

 pleasing feature of the noble prospect was the view of the many 

 prosperous towns and villages that dotted the wide and fertile 

 plains of the Lower Rangitikei and Manawatu. How changed 

 from the times of Ruaparaha, some two generations ago ! 



I append a list of the flowering-plants hitherto observed on 

 the higher parts of the Tararuas. In the case of plants observed 

 by Dr. Cockayne no indication of the height of the habitat is 

 given ; the remainder were noted by Mr. Aston or myself. A 

 very few are quoted on the authority of Cheeseman's " Manual 

 of the New Zealand Flora." The list is probably fairly com- 

 plete, though future exploration will no doubt add to it. The 

 names of the species are those adopted in Cheeseman's work 

 mentioned above. Many of the low-level plants enumerated 

 by Dr. Cockayne were omitted from my own list of the Mount 

 Hector plants, which purposely included little beyond alpine 

 and subalpiue species. Heights are given only with species 

 observed by myself, and are merely approximate. A few of 

 th" plants were collected only by Mr. Aston. 



