110 NEW ZEALAND PLANTS. 
Myosotis Monroi ; and Notothlaspi australe, related to the shingle-slip 
penwiper-plant (N. rosulatum). Frequently shrubs are dotted about 
on the stony ground, especially a variety of the mountain-cottonwood 
(Cassina Vauvilliersit) ; the leafless prostrate Hxocarpus Bidwillie ; 
a variety of the box-leaved veronica (Veronica buxifolia); a variety 
of manuka; the open, rigid cushions of Hymenanthera dentata var. 
alpina, their ultimate twigs rigid and spine-like ; a prostrate needle- 
leaved heath (Dracophyllum rosmarinifolium) ; and, looking quite out 
of place amongst all these drought-resisting plants, a variety of 
Coprosma Cunninghamii with bright-green leaves. 
The above association is certainly of a drought-resisting character, 
but not so much so as is to be seen in much of the primitive 
vegetation of Central Otago. But on the Mineral Belt the adapta- 
tions are in harmony with the serpentine soil, while in Central Otago 
they are in harmony with the dry climate. 
On those mountains of the South Island particularly exposed 
to the western rainfall, and on many of the North Island moun- 
tains, the vegetation is far denser than that described for fell- 
field, and there is a continuous covering over greater or smaller 
areas. This may be termed “herb - field.” According to the 
average amount of water in the soil, the species will differ to 
some extent, so that wet herb-field and dry herb-field are two 
distinct classes of the plant-formation. To do justice to either 
fell-field or herb-field many pages would be necessary; here only 
a few more or less striking plants will be mentioned. 
On Mount Egmont the herb - field is distinguished by great 
colonies of the beautiful alpine foxglove (Owrisia macrophylla), 
accompanied by the noble Egmont buttercup (Ranunculus mivicola). 
There are also considerable breadths of the bog-celmisia (Celmusia 
glandulosa var. latifolia). 
On the Tararua and Ruahine Mountains a very striking feature 
is the prominent part played by the alpine astelia (Astelia montana), 
which forms enormous patches. Celmisia hieracifolia and the white 
mountain variety (C. incana) (fig. 63), making great mats, are 
abundant. But the special glory of these ranges are the sheets of 
the North Island edelweiss (Leucogenes Leontopodium) (figs. 57, 69). 
In the South Island the glorious feature of herb-field is the 
acres and acres of the mountain-lily (Ranunculus Lyallii) when in 
full bloom (fig. 1). Almost equally beautiful is Ourisia macrocarpa 
