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ridges and hills, and the irregular mixture of mounds and hollows 
owles the dune-complex. The fore-dune (the well- 
known ridge by the sea shore) forms in some places an unbroken 
wall covered by Scirpus frondosus or Spinifex hirsutus. In addition 
to the above there is the wandering-dune, the fixing of which is 
one of the most difficult questions in dune-reclamation. Cliff-dunes, 
sand-plains, and swamps also occur. 
The wind-factor, so important in all dune problems, receives 
considerable attention, and the various ways in which this factor 
acts are clearly described. In addition to transporting sand the 
wind erodes, and it is easy to see that a dune area is in a constant 
state of change, construction and destruction going on together. 
Dunes that have become fixed frequently develop, through the 
irregular growth of the vegetation, sand-mounds and_tussocks. 
The intervening depressions are sooner or later attacked by the 
deep gulleys result, the plants are uprooted, and finally the 
entire sand-hill may be blown away. A very small patch of loose 
sand may set a dune in motion, and the author remarks that the ~ 
neglect by the farmer of wounds in the turf is perhaps the greatest 
source of danger to adjacent fertile lands. On account of the 
liability of irregular growth great care is necessary in the selection 
of sand-binders, the subsequent as well as the immediate growth 
having to be taken into consideration. 
An account of the leading New Zealand dune plants with 
remarks on their life-forms and adaptations is included, and also a 
description of the plant-associations of Western Wellington, the 
study of which locality forms the basis of the report. With regard 
to the plant-associations a physiographical classification is adopted, 
sand-plains, stony-plains, swamps and true dunes being dis- 
tinguished. Under the last heading the evolution of the “ sand- 
grass ” dune to the fixed dune is traced. The “ sand-crass ” dunes 
are distinguished by their instability and by the presence of Spinifex 
hirsutus and Scirpus frondosus (the latter being of special interest in 
that it belongs to an endemic section of the genus). 
an interesting account of the general principles upon which dune- 
reclamation depends. In addition to these principles it is obvious 
that a thorough knowledge of the special circumstances of the 
country are necessary before the final report providing a scheme of 
reclamation and afforestation can be drawn up. 
ADC: 
