248 Transactions. 



strong light can reach the soil — clumps of Poa foliosa are common, and in 

 open places this becomes a thick mantle, under which the mutton-birds 

 burrow for nesting purposes. I also noted Richus aiistralis, but it is not very- 

 common. Here and there Dracophyllmn longijolium grew in the forest, but 

 was not plentiful in this association. Along some of the open tracks I also 

 noted the following small plants : Carex lucida, Plantago Raoulii, Cardamine 

 heterophylla, Blechnum durum, B. capense ; and the orchids Pterostylis aus- 

 tralis, Thelymitra uniflora, T. longifolia, Caladenia bifolia, Microtis unifolia, 

 and Prasophyllum Colensoi. In damp places Carex trifida is not uncommon, 

 and I noted one or two specimens of Carex lucida. 



(3.) Heath. 



On the south side of this island, where the full force of the prevailing 

 wind and sea strikes the coast, there is a considerable area of open heath. 

 This is on one of the highest parts of the island, and presents a somewhat 

 bleak appearance. The general aspect is as if fire had run over the ground, 

 the dead branches of the low scrub being bleached and Avhite. I do not 

 think, however, that fire has ever touched the island, the dry appearance 

 being a characteristic result of the stormy conditions. The soil is peaty 

 and in parts fairly damp, but could hardly be called boggy. The plant 

 association of this part is very similar to that found in exposed places on 

 some of the mountain peaty heaths in Otago where the water-content is not 

 high. Low stunted Leptospermum scoparium forms the principal shrubby 

 vegetation in the most exposed parts, the shrubs being fairly open. Draco- 

 phyllum longifoUum is the next most conspicuous plant among the shrubby 

 vegetation. These plants are dotted about everywhere, but do not attain 

 more than about 1 m. in height, except in the hollow and' sheltered places. 

 Here and there StypJielia acerosa and Olearia arborescens are common, while 

 between these plants Oreoholus 2)ectmatus cushions are common. Eed 

 patches of Drosera spathidata are plentiful. I also noted one plant of Dacry- 

 dium biforme. In the drier places Lycopodium voluhile was noted, together 

 with patches of Gentiana saxosa. Stunted Phormium Coohianum is also 

 present in isolated bushes. Oreostylidium subulatum is not uncommon, 

 while Anisotome inter media {"i) is also seen, together with Thelymitra uni- 

 Jlora, Pentachondra pumila, and Leptocarpus simplex. I also noted one 

 patch of Nertera depressa. The southern coast of the island is steep, 

 and is protected by the usual fringe of Olearia atigustifolia, 0. Colensoi, 

 Senecio rotundifolias, and Dracophyllmn longifoUum, while the shore ferns 

 Asplenium obtusatum and Blechnurli durum are common. There were no 

 signs of bird-burrows on the heath, no doubt on account of the wetness it 

 must experience in bad weather. 



(4.) Introduced Plants. 



Near the mutton-birders' huts, where a small clearing has been made, 

 I noted the following introduced plants, all of them growing luxuriantly : 

 Dactylis glomerata, Holcus lanatus, Rumex obtusifoUus, R. Acetosella, Stellaria 

 media, Sonchus asper, Poa pratensis, and Trifolium repens. I also noted 

 Cotula coronopifolia near the door of one of the huts, but, although this is 

 an indigenous species, it had all the appearance of having been introduced. 

 The above species have no doubt been accidentally introduced to these 

 islands on the annual visits of the Maoris when mutton-birding. None of 

 +hem have spread beyond the clearing. 



