296 Transactions . 



the ordinary states of 0. lacunosa only in having slightly nar- 

 rower leaves, and in my judgment does not even rank as a 

 distinct variety. The narrower foliage seems to me a natural 

 adaptation to the very exposed situations in which the plant 

 grows here. It is a much-branched shrub, reaching a height 

 of 6 ft. to 9 ft., and is well worthy of cultivation, both for its 

 elegant habit and for its sweet perfume. 



Several hundred feet of alpine meadow have to be ascended 

 before Astdia nervosa ceases to be the predominant plant. On 

 its disappearance the grasses and other plants that share the 

 lower levels with it continue to a great elevation, and new 

 associates are gradually introduced. The most conspicuous 

 of these are Helichrysum leontopodium (the North Island 

 edelweiss), a most striking plant, growing in considerable pro- 

 fusion, and Celmisia hieracifolia, fairly plentiful in the drier 

 stations. Dracophyllum uniflorum appears sparingly also in 

 dry spots, and Helichrysum Traversii and Veronica buxifolia 

 were seen in a few places, also a luxuriant form of Bulbinella 

 Hooheri. Forstera (two forms, probably F. Bidwillii and F. 

 tenella) and Phyllachne Colensoi become fairly common in wet 

 stations, while Raoulia grandi flora puts in its appearance, to 

 become more and more plentiful as you mount towards the 

 tops. 



At an elevation of about 4.300 ft. a new whipcord Veronica 

 is noticed. It grows on well-drained slopes with a surface of 

 sand and finely or coarsely broken rock. Allied to V. tetragona, 

 it is smaller in all its parts, lower in growth, and more densely 

 and compactly branched. Fortunately it was in full flower, 

 so that its position in the genus could be determined with 

 certainty. Here Carex acicularis grows in the crevices and nooks 

 of the broken rocky western slopes. 



The grasses now receive fresh additions, as Poa Colensoi. Poa 

 Kirkii (var. McKayi), and Poa imbecilla (a short, slender alpine 

 form) make their appearance in fair abundance. On the rocky 

 faces on the western slope Raoulia rubra now becomes plentiful. 

 It grows in very dense, rounded, low cushions, and in low 

 flattened patches often a foot or two in diameter, and sends 

 down stout, tough roots to a great depth in the crevices and 

 joints. It was found in good condition, though rather past 

 flower, the flowering having been very abundant this season. 

 The present specie's, like several of its congeners, exhibits a 

 remarkable capacity tor retaining moisture, the cushions all 

 proving as wet as a half-saturated sponge, and this though 

 there had been a succession of bright, windy days. At this 

 level Myrsine nummular ia appears sparingly. 



At all levels of the alpine meadow Epildbium nummular)- 



