Oliver. — VegcUition of the Kennadec Islands. 135 



"prenanthoides, Nephrolepis cordifolia, Adiantum hispidulum, Pellcea jalcata, 

 Ageratum conyznidrs, and dwarf plants of Myoporum IcBtum and Coriaria 

 sarmentosa. This part was included in the area destroyed by a volcanic 

 eruption in 1872. 



At the foot of the cliffs in Denham Bay steam escapes in several places, 

 killing the vegetation where it issues from the ground. Near by, on the 

 warm ground, is a dense growth of plants ^-1 m. high, consisting chieflv 

 of Nephrolepis exaUata, Polijpodium diver si folium, Paspalum scrohiculatum, 

 Lycopodium cernuum, and Psilotum triquetrum. The Polypodium and Lyco- 

 podium have tall erect fronds, the former measuring up to 105 cm., the 

 latter to 83 cm., in height. 



On Macauley Island deep ravines, cut through volcanic tuffs by the 

 action of rain-water, support on their precipitous sides a little vegetation. 

 Goats are unable to reach certain parts, and hence possibly a remnant of 

 the original vegetation is found here. These gullies afford shelter from 

 wind, but the porous nature of the ground allows water to percolate freely ; 

 hence the soil is usually particularly dry. The list of plants noticed in 

 these ravines is as follows : Boehmeria dealbata, Carex Forsteri insularis, 

 Asplenium lucidum, A. obtusatufn, Hypolepis tenui folia, Poa polyphylla, 

 Lobelia anceps, Gnaphalium luteo-album, Scirpus nodosus, Mariscus ustu- 

 latus, and Mesembryanihemum australe. 



(b.) Swamp. — Swamp occurs in Denham Bay and round the Blue Lake 

 in the crater. Typha angustifolia grows along the edges of Tui Lake and 

 the Green Lake, but there is no swamp formation. 



The swamp in Denham Bay is situated opposite the middle of the bay, 

 between the gravel flat and the high perpendicular cliffs some 300 m. further 

 back. It is somewhat oblong in shape, about 600 m. long and 200 m. broad. 

 The ground round the swamp is composed of pumiceous tuffs and gravel, 

 derived from the cliffs, which no doubt slipped down into the bay when 

 the sea washed their bases. The sea has since retired, being now some 

 400 m. from the cliffs at this part. Rain-water percolates these tuffs very 

 quickly, but under the swamp is a layer of blue and yellow sandy clay which 

 holds water for a considerable time, thus making possible the existence 

 of a swamp. The surface is everywhere spongy and gives under the feet. 

 In places, more especially after rain, water lies to a depth of 20 cm. 



The principal swamp-plant is Typha angustifolia. Its height varies. 

 Over the greater part of the swamp it lies between 1 m. and 1-5 m., and here 

 the ground, though springy, will support the weight of a man. In places, 

 however, it is tall, up to 2-6 m., and here one's legs sink in up to the knees 

 or deeper. After the Typha, Juneus effusus is the most important plant. 

 It grows in tufts, 1-5 m. high, and covers large patches in the drier parts 

 of the swamp. Blechnum capense (75 cm. tall), Histiopteris incisa, and 

 Paspalum scrobiculatum occur in small patches in several places. The 

 Ristiopteris forms rather dense patches + 1 m. high, with much decayed 

 vegetable matter underneath. Other swamp-plants noticed were Juneus 

 pmieiflorus near the edge, and Heleocharis acida in water. 



The character of the vegetation in the Denham Bay swamp appears 

 to be altering, forest-plants taking the place of swamp-plants. In fact, a 

 swamp formation is here in process of being changed into forest. Thirty 

 years ago there was an open sheet of water with Typha angustifolia growing 

 along the edge, from where gradually it spread until now there is no open 

 water. Parts, however, are much wetter than the rest, and here the Typha 



