32, NEW ZEALAND PLANTS. 
accounted for—that is to say, it is a remnant of a subantarctic 
plant-formation of long ago. 
On the Snares, mixed with O. Lyallii, is the rare and beautiful 
small tree the Stewart Island tree-groundsel (Senecio Stewartiae). 
Strange to say, though this plant also occurs farther to the north, 
it has not been found on Stewart Island proper, but only on some 
of the small islands in its vicinity. 
Some of the subantarctic seashore-plants are wonderful enough. 
Here, almost to high-water mark, comes a splendid tussock-grass, 
Poa foliosa, with broad, green, drooping leaves. On the rocks, 
almost where the sea washes, are large green cushions of Colobanthus 
muscoides, hard as those of the vegetable-sheep ; and near by will be 
frequently seen the shining green rosettes of a species of plantain— 
the Plantago carnosa of the “‘ Flora Antarctica.” Close by, where the 
kelp (Durvillaea utilis) heaves on the restless waters, swims, quite 
fearless of man, as it has done for ages, the little flightless duck 
(Nesonetta aucklandica). From the cliffs droop green draperies of a 
most strange pale-green soft-leaved grass (Poa ramosissima), while 
their summits are crowned with great green bushes of the sweet- 
scented shore-koromiko (Veronica elliptica). On the flat rocks 
beneath stands, sentinel-like, the Auckland Island shag (Phalacro- 
coraz Colensoi), conspicuous with its glistening black back, spotless 
white breast, and flesh-coloured feet; and accompanying it is the 
pretty little mackerel-gull (Larus scopulinus), with dove-coloured 
back, white head and breast, and brilliant red legs and beak. 
The herbaceous plants are the special glory of the subantarctic 
islands as a whole. Sir Joseph Hooker declared long ago that outside 
the tropics no such floral display is to be seen in any area of the 
same size. Several of these plants have exceptionally large and hand- 
some leaves, amongst which one walks knee-deep (fig. 88). The 
monarch of all is a majestic plant of the daisy family (Pleurophyllum 
speciosum), this genus being purely. subantarctic, though related to 
the asters of gardens. The leaves of this plant are of great size, and 
all are corrugated. In colour and general appearance they somewhat 
resemble pale-green velvet or plush, and are so arranged at times as 
to look like shallow goblets. These leaves alone are striking enough ; 
but when the beautiful purple flower-heads, each 2 inches in diameter, 
are raised 3 feet above the foliage, dozens at a time, side by side, 
the spectacle is magnificent. There are perhaps three other species 
