16 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



western ranges consist almost entirely of the various species of 

 Nofhofagus. In many districts of the North, particularly in 

 the south of Auckland Province, the tawa is found in immense 

 quantities. In swamps in both Islands large masses of 

 kahikatea (white pine) occur. In other places scattered through 

 the islands the rata is the prevailing tree. The coastal forests 

 usually produce a very great variety of trees. The beech, 

 rata, and kauri forests will be described more fully when the 

 trees themselves are dealt with. 



LlANES. 



" Exulting Nature so delights, 

 So riots in j)rofusion, she 

 Twice over does her work for glee ! 

 A tangled intricacy first she weaves, 

 Under and upper growth of bush and tree 

 In rampant wrestle for ascendancy, 

 Then round it all a richer overflow 

 Of reckless vegetation flings, 

 That here close-moulding on the shrubs below 

 A matted coat of delicate leaves, 

 Mantles the muffled life whereon it clings. 

 Into a solid mass of greenery. 

 There mounting to the tree-tops, down again 

 Comes wildly wantoning in a perfect rain 

 Of trailers — self-encircling living strings 

 Unravellable ; see how all about 

 The hundred-stranded creeper cordage swings ! " 



Domett. 



Plants which depend upon others for existence, and therefore 

 cannot group themselves into associations, are said to form 

 Guilds. * No description of the bush would be complete 

 without some reference to the guilds it contains. The chief 

 of these are the climbers or lianes, epiphytes, saprophytes and 

 parasites. Of these, only the first two need be considered here. 

 The climbing and creeping plants have had a special fascination 



*Ger., Genossensclmften. 



