20 Transactions. 



gentle slope trending towards the west, the ground - mass of which is 

 angular stones, are lanes of herbaceous plants growing with a regularity 

 which simulates artificial arrangement. The area of this would be about 

 3 or 4 square chains. There is a space of 6 ft. to 8 ft. between the strips 

 of vegetation, containing angular stones with but little vegetation, save an 

 occasional patch of Raoulia grandiflora, PhyUachne Colerisoi, and Drapetes 

 Dieffenhachii. The vegetation of the lane " hedge " is two species of Dan- 

 thonia (one of which is D. Raoulii), Lignsticum dissecfum, BulhineUa, Phyl- 

 lachne, Cehnisia spectabilis, Dracophyllum, Lignsticum aromaticum, Astelia 

 linearis (in beautiful red fruit). These lanes run in an east-and-west direc- 

 tion. We have been traversing a long stretch of gently rising country, 

 and, passing a tarn, arrive at a point 4,500 ft.. the lowest point betw^een 

 the flat land and the ridge leading to Mount Hector. Patches of Luzula 

 campestris frequently occur, and some stunted Olearia Colensoi, very fine 

 plants of Senccio Bidwillii, snow-grass (Danthonia), and masses of Raoulia 

 rubra on steep rubble slips, are the most noticeable botanical features. 



We now ascend the remarkable razorbacked ridge. On the north-east 

 face a Danthonia (snow-grass) meadow extends for several hundred feet 

 dowai the slope. Scattered through the snow-grass are Dracophyllwn longi- 

 jolium, Senecio Bidwillii, BulhineUa Hookeri, Aciphylla Colensoi. On the 

 south-west side is a steep shingle or rocky face covered in parts with Raoulia 

 rubra, patches of Ligusticum dissectum, Celmisia hieracifolia, Danthonia 

 Raoulii, and Helichrysum Leontopodium. The ridge is equally steep on 

 either face, and where it changes its aspect in zigzagging the flora also 

 changes : the Danthonia meadow now appears on the left-hand side, facing 

 the north-east, and the rocky slope on the right hand, facing south-west, 

 approximately, showing that the difference in vegetation is due to a climatic 

 and not to an edaphic cause. 



At 4,700 ft. the " razorback " disappears, giving place to a rounded 

 hill, covered on the south-west slope with a lane formation similar to that 

 previously described, and containing Danthonia, Ligusticum, PhyUachne, 

 and Celmisia spectabilis. 



At 4,800 ft., where the faces of the ridge again become steeper, are 

 noticed stunted Danthonia a«d BulhineUa on the north-east face, and in- 

 cipient lane formation on the south-west face ; and again at 4,900 ft. is 

 a rocky face on the south-west and Danthonia on the north-east face. 



A plant we have noticed all the way from Mount Alpha is Veronica 

 Astoni, usually found growing on the top of the ridge. 



At 5,050 ft. we at length reach the final slope of Mount Hector, and 

 now meet for the first time the gorgeous Ranuncuhis insignis in full bloom, 

 growing on shingle-slips. A mountain-tarn is almost hidden by the tall 

 Danthonia. Helichrysum beUidioides with very large heads and orbicular 

 leaves, Cctula pynthri folia ^ o.vA Ourisia ccespitosa we here collect. 



At 5,200 ft. by the aneroid, at 3.45 p.m., the summit is reached. Dan- 

 thonia, Aciphylla Colensoi, Ligusticum dissectum, BulhineUa Hookeri, and 

 Veronica Astoni occupy the north-east face, but the south-west aspect is a 

 steep shingle - slope with patches of Raoulia rxibra. Ranunculus insignis, 

 PhyUachne, and Ligusticum dissectum. A glorious view greets the eye from 

 every direction. The Wairarapa Plain is spread out to the east, Kapiti 

 Island and the Otaki beach in the west. Cape Palliser and Palliser Bay 

 can be seen in the south, followed by the Hutt Valley — Wellington Harbour 

 and Tupuaewainuku beyond. To the north the Tararua peaks block the 

 view. 



