80 Transactions. 



the scrub, the growth of lovely plant forms which greets the vision is 

 delightful. Here the coast-ferns Asplenium lucidum and Lomaria dura 

 grow to perfection, while straggling plants of Phormium Cookianum are 

 found seemingly somewhat out of their station, which is usually on the 

 coastal cliffs in this region. Great colonies of Stilbocarpa Lyallii make 

 their appearance, in places over 3 ft. tall, and with their large reniform 

 leaves suggesting more a tropical growth than a subantarctic one. These 

 latter plants are extremely abundant, the patches in places extending 

 over areas almost a quarter of an acre in extent. As we ascend the hill 

 the association changes. Asplenium obtusatum of large dimensions puts 

 in an appearance, along with Lomaria discolor, Hypolepis tenuifolia, Astelia 

 nervosa, Polypodium Billardieri, Nothopanax Colensoi, Myrsine Urvillei. 

 Coprosma lucida, and Dicksonia squarrosa. Here there is evidence of bird- 

 life. The burrows of the mutton-bird (Puffinus griseus) ramify in all direc- 

 tions through the peaty soil, and no doubt affect the plant-association by 

 draining and aerating the soil, while the traffic of the birds themselves 

 must destroy much of the usual undergrowth of the forest. What appeared 

 to be a direct effect of the nests of this petrel was noticeable in one place 

 where a mass of the fern Lomaria dura was growing on a heap of humus 

 which was literally honeycombed with burrows. The plants were much larger 

 than usual, and each had a distinct caudex about 12 in. high. At a height 

 of about 250 ft. the forest became more mixed and the undergrowth thicker. 

 Nertera dichondraefolia grew on the logs, Coprosma foetidissima became 

 common, and Aspidium vestitum was added to the former association. At 

 300 ft. the first Metrosideros lucida was encountered and Dracophyllum 

 became fairly plentiful. Nothopanax Edgerleyi also appeared, and Myrsine 

 Urvillei, Dicksonia squarrosa, and Nothopanax Colensoi became plentiful. 

 The forest-floor now became covered with Lomaria capensis and Lomaria 

 discolor, the former especially attaining large dimensions, while the speci- 

 mens of Asplenium obtusatum became larger also. As the top of the ridge 

 was reached Pittosporum Colensoi var. fasciculatum appeared, with a few 

 plants of Pteridium aquilmum and Rubus australis. From the top a fine 

 view was obtained to the south-west. Looking over the forest-top, one 

 could see the wind-swept appearance to the south-west, the principal plants 

 being stunted Metrosideros lucida, Olearia Colensoi, Senecio rotundifolius, 

 Dracophyllum longifolium, with occasional specimens of Myrsine Urvillei. 

 Proceeding along the ridge. Weinmannia racemosa became more plentiful, 

 and Astelia increased on the forest-floor, along with Lomaria capensis, 

 Aspidium vestitum, Asplenium bulbiferum, and A. obtusatum, the general 

 depth of the floor-covering being about 4 ft. In hollows where the 

 ground was damper a strong growth of fern-trees (Dicksonia squarrosa), 

 with No'hopanax simplex, IShefflera digitata, and a broad-leaved species of 

 Carex ternaria, was seen, while the logs became covered with Luzuriaga 

 marginata and filmy ferns. Here also a few examples of Podocarpus 

 ferrugineus were seen, and the tangled stems of the Rhipogonum scandens 

 blocked the way, and marked the edge of the forest proper. 



** The " Rimu-Kamahi " Forest. 



Lying to the back of the sandhills, an extensive area of forest of this 

 class is visible. Its outer fringe touches the sand-dunes, and it extends 

 to the highest parts of the island, although the trees become stunted on 

 the heights, and rocks show through the low scrub on the very summit 

 The lowland bush consists principally of Grisrlinia liltoralis, Muehlenbeckia 



