PoFPELWBLL. — Botany of Ruggedy Mountains. 281 



\vliere the full blast of the westerly wind Sweeps the mountain-slope, the 

 weather-worn rocks were clothed with a -stunted heath association, of which 

 the following were the principal constituents : Leptospermum scoparium 

 (plentiful and almost prostrate^ Olearia Colensoi, Dracophyllum longifoliwn, 

 small Celmisia rigida, Gaidtheria erecta (stunted), Melrosideros lucida, 

 Phormium Cookianum, Styphelia acerosa, S. empetrifolia, Pea Astoni, Penta- 

 chondra pumila, Dacrydium biforme, Forstera sedijolia, Senecio LyalUi, Oreo- 

 bolus strictus, Drapetes Dieffenbachii, Weinmannia racemosa, and Thelymitra 

 longi folia. 



This is the highest altitude we were able to attain, and to get so high 

 involved most strenuous climbing up almost precipitous rock-faces, clolhed, 

 where plants could get a hold, with the above association, the dif- 

 ferent plants varying according to shade and shelter, but all showing 

 evidence of much stress from wind and weather. At the height of 1,200 ft. 

 we came out on a rocky top, behind which a deep perpendicular-sided 

 ravine di\'ided us from the ultimate peak, perhaps 400 ft. above us. The 

 stunted forest climbed up to the highest peak in the crevices, and great 

 gaimt rocks stood up round us on every side. We had climbed direct from 

 Red Head, from which point the top is practically unattainable, although 

 from the east side I do not think there would be any insurmxountable diffi- 

 culty in gaining the Summit. There is, however, no open ground at the 

 top, and I am satisfied the above association is typical of the range. 



(2.) DUNKS. 



In dealing with the dunes, the only division necessary appears to be 

 that of (a) present dunes and (&) ancient dunes. The distinction here 

 drawn is one merely of stability. The present dunes are more or less in 

 an unstable condition except in parts, and are only found on the coast ; 

 while the ancient dunes extent some distance inland, and are for the most 

 part clothed with low forest or a definite heath association 



(a.) Present Dunes. 



A considerable area of dunes is found at Ruggedy River, and also along 

 the back of the beach at West Ruggedy. For the most part, these are 

 unstable towards the sea, and show evidence of considerable alteration from 

 time to time according as ihe wind bids them travel. At the highest, they 

 probably reach only about 100 ft. The association is very similar to that 

 noted by me in my paper relating to the botany of Codfish Island,* although 

 the greater area has resulted in the " dune complex " of Cocka^me's report, 

 and a much greater variety of plants is fomid in the wetter and more 

 Stable situations. The fore-dune is, as usual, covered with the yellow- 

 brown Scirpus frondosKS, mixed with Ei/phorbia glaiica, while the tops 

 are crowned with Festuca littoralis. In the wetter places Scirpus nods us 

 ia found, while here and there are patches of Carex pumila, Sonchus litto- 

 ralis, Selliera radicans, Crassula moscJiata, and Apium prostratum. On the 

 more stable dunes there is a considerable quantity of Linum monogynum,, 

 Poa caespitosa, and Hierochloe redolens. Coprosma acerosa, Pimelia Lyallii, 

 and Calystegia Soldanella spread over the surface and take the mat form. 

 In damper places Scirpus nodosus ia plentiful. A few plants of Geranium 



* " Notes on the Plant Covering of Codfish Island and the Rugged Islands," 

 Trans. N.Z. Inst., toI. 44, p. 77. 



