94 Transactions. 



Art. VIII. — The Vegetation and Flora of Lord Hoive Island. 

 By W. E. B. Oliver. 



[Bead before the Auckland Institute, loth December, 1916 ; received by Editors, 30th 

 December, 1916 ; issued separately, 6th July, 1917.] 



Plates X-XVI. 



Contents. 



I. General. — Physiography — Climate — Animals — Anatomical Structure — Classi- 

 fication of Plant Formations. 

 II. Plant Formations.— Synopsis of Formations and Associations — Series I, Woody- 

 plant Formations (Climatic) : (1) Forest, (2) Moss Forest, (3) Scrub. Series II, 

 Herbaceous-plant Formations (Edaphic) : (4) Low Succulent Plants, (5) Sand- 

 binders, (6) Rushes, (7) Tussocks, (8) Herbaecous Plants. Series III, Marine 

 Formations : (9) Mangrove. Descriptions of Formations and Associations. 

 Geographic Relationships of the Forest Formations. 



III. Origin of the Flora. — Geological History of Lord Howe Island — Land Connections 



— Genera — Species — Geographical — Endemism — Ecological Groups. 



IV. List of Indigenous Species, with References, Descriptions, Habitats, and Distribu- 



tion. — (1) Lycopodiales, (2) Filicales, (3) Angiosperms. 

 V. Introduced Elements. — (1) Plants, (2) Animals. 

 VI. Literature and History. 

 VII. Species omitted. 



I. GENERAL. 



Situated in a tract of ocean which bounds three biological regions of the 

 globe, and on a submarine ridge connecting two of these, Lord Howe Island 

 is at once of intense interest to the biologist. This island, remarkable not 

 only for its biological productions but also on account of its geological 

 structure, lies about 430 km. eastward of the Australian Continent, in 

 S. lat. 31° 32'. Yet in the character of its animal and plant life it presents 

 a striking contrast to that of Australia, though, owing to the proximity 

 of the continent and consequent occasional accidental means of transport, 

 certain features of the continental life are stamped on that of the island. 

 Fundamentally, however, there is a wide difference. 



The present paper is based mainly on collections, notes, and photographs 

 obtained during a short stay on the island in 1913. I left Sydney on the 

 1st November in the " Makambo," and after a fine passage Lord Howe 

 Island was sighted on the afternoon of the 3rd, the two mountains, Gower 

 and Lidgbird, being visible at a distance of over forty miles. Being dark 

 when we arrived, anchor was cast outside the reef on the western side of 

 the island, but by the kindness of Mr. R. S. Bell, who was then residing 

 there, I was rowed ashore through an opening in the reef and landed on 

 the beach near Mrs. Nicholl's residence, which I made my headquarters. 

 Altogether I remained fifteen days on the island, and, despite some 

 bad weather, spent practically the whole time in investigating the flora. 

 I visited most parts of the island, from the Northern Hills to the western 

 base of Mount Gower. Four days were spent on the mountains, where, in 

 company with Mr. Bell, I camped in Erskine Valley. Twice from this camp 

 I ascended Mount Gower, once with Mr. Bell and his assistant and once by 



