198 Trcnisacfions. 



Of the lianes, the most noticeable are the bush-lawyer {Ruhus) and 

 supplejack {Rhipogonum) . These are frequently found stretching to the 

 tops of the tallest forest-trees, in such a position that we can only conclude 

 that they have attached themselves to the branches when the tree was young 

 and have grown up with the growth of the tree. Sometimes, however, in 

 place of ascending, these plants form an almost impenetrable network 

 through which neither man nor beast can pass. Other lianes are various 

 forms of rata-vines {Metrosideros), Parsonsia, Clematis, kiekie, &c. 



In damp places on creek-banks and on wet slopes great masses of 

 Elatostenwia rugosum, a succulent-stemmed prostrate herb with large vari- 

 coloured leaves, is a characteristic covering. 



Of epiphytes growing on the forest - trees the commonest and most 

 noticeable are forms of wharawhara {Astelia), among which various ferns 

 and lycopods are frequently found. On trunks and upper branches, too, 

 occur a few orchids — Earina (two species), Dendrohimn, Bulbophjllum, and 

 Sarcochilus. A prominent epiphyte is the rata-tree in its earlier life. As a 

 seedling it is often found in the clefts of branches of tall trees. As it grows 

 it sends branches upward and root - stems downward ; these, reaching 

 the ground, into which they penetrate and branch off, absorb nutriment, 

 causing their upper parts to swell out into trunks, coalescing one with another 

 until they crush out the life of the tree which for years gave them support. 

 The rata {Metrosideros rohusta) will, and often does, grow as a terrestrial 

 plant, but when growing directly from the soil never forms a large tree — 

 rarely, indeed, exceeding 25 ft. or 30 ft. in height. On Rangitoto Island, 

 near Auckland, the rata growing among blocks of lava forms shrubs only. 



Other epiphytes which grow in a more or less similar manner are 

 Griselinia lucida, whose large glossy leaves are often prominent objects in 

 the upper branches of tall trees ; Panax arboreum, usually on tree-ferns ;* 

 and a few others. 



It may not be out of place here to draw attention to the mistake often 

 made by many people of confusing the words " epiphyte " and " parasite." 

 Epiphytes, as the name denotes, merely live upon other plants, but derive 

 nothing in the way of nourishment from the substance of th§ supporting 

 plants, nor do their roots penetrate that substance. Parasites, on the other 

 hand, derive their food in part or entirely from the sap of the plant on which 

 they grow, and into whose substance their roots penetrate, or to whose 

 surface they apply their sucking-discs. We have not many parasite plants 

 in this district. Loranthus micranthtis and Korthalsella salicornioides are 

 not infrequent, and the curious leafless Cassytha paniculata occurs plentifully 

 on Leptospennum near the coast, attaching itself to its victim by means of 

 small suckers. 



The Kauri Forest. 



In the kauri forest that tree towers high above all others. There are, 

 as a rule, few other large trees, the most frequent being the towai {Wein- 

 mannia sylvicola), a few taraires, kawakas (Libocedrus Doniana), miro, and 

 tanekaha {Phyllocladtis trichomanoides). Of smaller trees and shrubs the 

 most conspicuous is the neinei {Dracophyllum. latifolium) ; others are species 

 of Coprosma, maire, Myrtus pedunculata, Panax anomalum, &c. 



Perhaps the most conspicuous feature of the kauri bush is the great 

 quantity of kauri -grass {Astelia trinervia), among which occur Astelia 



* Carse : "On the Occurrence of Panax arborevin on the Stems of Tree-ferns," 

 Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. 34, p. 359. 



