the south ti:mim;hate zone 



347 



branches of the trees, and form thick carpets on the forest floor, 

 and great cushions over every stump and fallen log. Big tussocks 

 of Sphagnum grow in the forest pools, and here and there are 

 colonies of the giant Dawsonia superba, the last word in moss- 

 evolution. 



The abundance and luxuriance of the liverworts is astounding; 

 it is doubtful if anywhere else in the world is a richer growth of 



Fig. 96.— Giant moss (Dawsonia superba), Kauri forest, North Island, New Zea- 

 land. Photo., Dr. L. Cockayne. 



these interesting forms. They include some of the giants of the 

 class, one in particular, Monodea Forsteri, being the largest liver- 

 wort that the writer has ever seen. 



The New Zealand rain-forests are rich in climbing plants and 

 epiphytes. Of the latter some are permanent epiphytes, others 

 begin life as epiphytes but later send roots downward and assume 

 a terrestrial habit. The permanent epiphytes include many m< — », 

 liverworts, lycopods and ferns, as well as a good many flowering 

 plants like orchids, Peperomia, Astelia and others. Several New 

 Zealand trees begin life as epiphytes. The seeds germinate on 



