158 Floristik, Geographie, Systematik etc. 



tion of the Vegetation by Coekayne and Laing. The first part 

 (p. 317 — 342) describes the mountain Systems, drainage, lakes and 

 glaciers, and the course of former glaciation. In connection with 

 Lake Heron special attention is given to the formation of shingle 

 spits, and to the action of ice in modifying the shores. The influence 

 of Moraines ancient and modern on plant succession is also dealt with. 



The Plant Ecology (p. 342 — 365) is the result of a comparatively 

 short period of Observation, but available literature is included. As 

 primary causes affecting the character and distribution of the Vege- 

 tation, the glacial period and the present climate are discussed. 

 The climate resolves itself into a forest-climate, a wetter region 

 of limited area, and a steppe-climate. The steppe Vegetation occurs 

 in drier parts, and also in certain not specially dry parts where 

 "ever-present wind", clear skies and strong insolation demand a 

 mugh higher rainfall before forest could establish itself naturally. 

 The winter snowfall influences Vegetation at above 1200 m. altitude; 

 frost at all seasons, and the recurrence of short rainless periods are 

 emphasised as important factors. 



The steppe-climate formations are divided primarily into a steppe 

 series and a rock fell-field series. 



A. The Mountain-steppe consists of hill-slopes, river-beds, ter- 

 races, moraines, and stream-fans. The montane and submontane 

 tussock steppe extends over much of the area; the growth-forms 

 include shrubs (15) subshrubs (12) herbs (76); evergreen creeping 

 shrubs and perennial tufted, creeping or rosette herbs predominate. 

 The steppe has originated from river-beds, rocks, stream-fans, boul- 

 der clay and other glacial debris, and from lakes turned into dry 

 land; the associations for these are described. The steppe is inter- 

 rupted by an association of trees {Gaya ribifolia). Forest of Nothofa- 

 gus cliffortioides although scantily represented in some Valleys, is 

 regarded as the climax association of the subalpine-steppe climate. 



B. Rock Fell-field: over extensive areas detritus from the rocks 

 accumulates and the edaphic conditions of the upper subalpine and 

 alpine zones are those of desert. The succession of Vegetation in 

 the order: rock, shingle-slip, fell-field. As a rock subassociation 

 Raoulia exima in cushions 1 m. or more in diameter is conspicuous. 

 Shingle-slip is the mobile stony slope, feil field the more stable. On 

 the former, summer-green, perennial, prostrate herbs predominate 

 {Haasria Sinclairii, Ranunculus spp., Lobelia Roughii, etc.). The 

 fell-field is not a closed formation and includes creeping shrubs, 

 herbs in cushions, rosettes, and tussock-grasses. 



Forest-climate formations: Rock-forest series. This begins on 

 rock, shingle-slip, and fell-field with shrubs and proceeds to sub- 

 alpine scrub and Totara forest. The scrub rarely occurs above 

 1200 m., with shelter from wind and humus in the soil; the shrubs 

 are evergreen and dwarfed, with xerophytic foliage. The forest with 

 Podocarpus dominant occurs at the base of mountain-slopes, below 

 970 m. The upper forest subassociation is distinguished by Liboce- 

 drus Bidwilli and elements from the subalpine scrub; ecological 

 notes are given. 



The floristic part gives the new species and a füll list of the 

 flora, with each plant referred to its association. There is an exten- 

 sive bibliography, and the memoir is illustrated by a series of pho- 

 tographs and two text-maps. W. G. Smith. 



