POPPELWBLL. — Flant-covering of Breaksea Islands. 247 



its close relation 0. Colensoi from tlie devastating effect of the salt-laden 

 wind. The steep rocky faces are, on the other hand, covered with Poa 

 Astoni, while here and there in the crevices Veronica elliptica ekes out a 

 precarious existence. On the south side of the island the principal plant 

 near the water's edge is Olearia aiujustijolia, but as we get farther in from 

 the shore on the steep face 0. Colensoi is found, with an occasional Senecio 

 rotundifolius and Dracophyllani longifoliiim. At an elevation of about 40 m. 

 above sea-level there is an open heath on this side, which is dealt with 

 under its appropriate heading. 



(2.) Forest. 

 When approaching the islands the physiognomy of the forest nearest the 

 coast presents a greenish-grey appearance. The roof is close, and its wind- 

 shorn appearance bears testimony to the severe gales which characterize 

 this region. This fringe is composed almost wholly of Olearia angustifolia 

 and 0. Colensoi. A little farther back isolated patches of bright green 

 attest the presence of Griselinia littoralis, while on the summit of the island 

 dark patches of Metrosideros lucida are visible. Upon a closer acquaintance 

 it is found that the soil consists of a deep layer of peat, fairly dry, and 

 honeycombed in all directions with the burrows of mutton-birds {Pufflnus 

 griseus). There can be little doubt of the efiect these birds produce on the 

 vegetation. Not only do their tracks ramify in all directions, showing the 

 physical efiect of their traffic, but their manure is everywhere in evidence, 

 while their burrows must greatly assist in the quick drainage of the surface, 

 and also help to aerate the soil and make it suitable for plant-growth. The 

 forest proper is chiefly Metrosideros lucida, which is not more than from 8 m. 

 to 10 m. high, and consists of excessively gnarled trunks, usually prostrate 

 for part of their length, and then turning their close twiggy tops upwards. 

 Grrovving among these trees, and frequently epiphytic upon them, one finds 

 Griselinia littoralis, Pittosporum Colensoi, Nothopanax Colensoi, Coprosma 

 areolata, Fuchsia excorticata, Rapanea Urvillei, and Olearia Colensoi, with 

 occasional plants of Aristotelia racemosa, Olearia arborescens, Coprosma 

 foetidissima, and Nothopanax Edgerleyi. Here and there the tree-fern 

 Dichsonia squarrosa grows in clumps, but is nowhere plentiful. 



The most marked feature of the undergrowth is the strong growth of 

 Stilbocarpa Lyallii, which practically covers the whole forest-floor. It is 

 very luxuriant, and in several places is over 1-5 m. high. The leaves, 

 from actual measurement, attain occasionally the great width of 63 cm. 

 This plant forms in most parts great continuous growths, acres in extent, 

 and in some places it is difficult to get through. Its great leaves, spreading 

 horizontally, exclude the light, and prevent other growth on the peat, which 

 is frequently so pierced by the mutton-bird burrows as to sink under one's 

 steps. Where sufficient open space allows, strong clumps of the ferns 

 Asplenium lucidum, A. ohtusatum, and A. scleropriuni will be found. The 

 last-named fern grows particularly strongly in several places where it is 

 undermined by burrows. In these places the ferns often have a distinct 

 caudex, and stand nearly 1-5 m. high. 



Patches of Polystichum vestitum are also occasionally seen, together with 

 patches of Histiopteris incisa. The tree-trunks are covered with Polypodium 

 diversifolimn and Asplenium flaccidum. In several instances Olearia Colensoi 

 had a tnmk nearly 75 cm. in diameter near the base, but quickly branched 

 into several strong-growing limbs which ultimately reached a height of nearly 

 10 m. Near the edge of the clifi — and, in fact, in most places where the 



