168 Transactions. 



Plant Formations. 



These can best be described under the headings (1) scrub, (2) rocks and 

 cliffs, (3) heath. 



1. Scrub. 



I have chosen the term " scrub " as it best describes the vegetation 

 of the steep sides of the island. Throughout this formation in the more 

 sheltered parts will be found patches which might be called " forest," but 

 as the majority of the plants are of the Olearia type, or much stunted, the 

 formation as a whole is best designated " scrub." On approaching the 

 island the general physiognomy is grey-green with yellowish-brown patches, 

 and, higher up, blotches of a darker colour. The grey-green patches are 

 of that peculiar globose appearance so characteristic of the Olearia scrub 

 formation of the Stewart Island coast. On a close examination it is at 

 once seen that the scrub consists of Olearia angustifolia next the sea, with 

 0. Colensoi abundant and Senecio rotundifolius behind the first fringe, while 

 the yellowish-brown colour is produced by Dracophyllum longifolium, which 

 is fairly plentiful. The darker patches, which usually occupy the sheltered 

 depressions, consist of Metrosideros lucida. The whole surface of this form- 

 ation is smooth and rounded, showing the effect of the strong winds 

 which sweep these islands. Here and there a green patch of Veronica 

 elliptica is visible, especially near the sea. This is more marked where 

 there has been some clearing round the mutton-birders' huts. In open 

 places considerable patches of Poa foliosa are found, with an occasional 

 tuft of Carex trifida or Microlaena avenacea. ' Under the scrub the ground- 

 floor is covered by patches of Stilbocarpa Lyallii, Asplenium flaccidum, 

 A. scleroprium, A. lucidum, A. obtusatum, and Polystichum vestitum, while 

 Polypodium diversifolium climbs over the fallen trees. Among smaller 

 plants I noted Stellaria parviflora and Nertera depressa. At a higher eleva- 

 tion the following species were added to the formation : Nothopanax 

 Colensoi, N. Edgerleyi, Metrosideros lucida, Coprosma foetidissima, C. Colensoi, 

 Astelia nervosa, and the ferns Histiopteris incisa, Dicksonia squarrosa, and 

 Hemitelia Smithii. 



2. Rocks and Cliffs. 



A typical cliff association was noted in a situation where the full force 

 of the wind strikes. The rocks were absolutely bare for a height of be- 

 tween 50 ft. and 60 ft.. when a grey-green fringe of Poa Astoni altered the 

 physiognomy of the granitic rock wall. On the cliffs Crassula moschata 

 was common, while Myosotis albida, Tetragonia trigyna, Mesembryanthemum, 

 australe, and Apium prostratum were sparingly found. This was succeeded 

 by Olearia angustifolia, under which the shore-fern Blechnum durum was 

 growing in considerable patches. Here and there were tussocks of Scirpus 

 nodosus. This association also contained some Scirpus aucklandicus and 

 Anisotoine intermedia var., but gradually merged into the scrub formation 

 above described. 



3. Heath. 



On a peaty saddle crossing over the top of the island and forming 

 a wind-funnel there was a most marked heath formation, consisting of 

 Phormium Cookianum, Leptospermum scoparium, Dracophyllum longifolium 

 (the two latter fairly abundant), Olearia arborescens, Styphelia acerosa, S. 

 empetrifolia, Hymenophylhim. rufescens, Veronica buxifolia, Gaultheria erecta, 

 Pentachondra pumila, Lycopoclium varium (in large clumps), Coprosma 



