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5,600 acres which make up its area, more than 5,000 are occupied 

 by these streams. Their surface is everywhere rough and difficult 

 to traverse, being composed of masses of basalt of all sizes and 

 shapes, rough and sharp-edged, and piled into ridges separated by 

 irregular depressions or chasm-like holes. That the lava is com- 

 paratively recent is evident ; and good judges have estimated that 

 not more than five hundred or six hundred years have _ elapsed 

 since the close of volcanic activity. No streams of water exist, 

 nor could such be expected, as the heaviest rainfall is at once 

 absorbed by the porous surface. 



Seen from a little distance the greater part of the island appears 

 to be covered with a low scrubby forest ; but once on shore it is 

 found that there are considerable areas almost bare of vegetation 

 except a few lichens and mosses. From the summit of the cone 

 these spaces stand out black and distinct against the dusky green 

 of the tree-clad portions. The most abundant tree is the " Christmas 

 tree," or pohutukawa (Metrosideros tomentosa), which probably con- 

 stitutes four-fifths of the ligneous vegetation. Outside Rangitoto it 

 .usually forms a tree 50 ft. to 60 ft. in height, but on the island it 

 is seldom more than 20 ft., and often much less. About Christmas 

 it is loaded with masses of crimson flowers. The broadleaf (Griselinia 

 lucida) takes the second place, its stiff and leathery yellow-green 

 leaves being everywhere conspicuous. Many other small trees are 

 common, but space will not allow a reference to them here. It 

 may be remarked, however, that Senecio Kirkii, one of the most 

 beautiful shrubs in the Dominion, which usually grows in the shade 

 of dense forests as an epiphyte, or more rarely on the ground, on 

 Rangitoto flourishes among bare basaltic rocks exposed to blazing 

 sunshine ! 



Growing in the shade of the Metrosideros or among the open 

 rocks are large masses of two species of Astelia. With these flourish 

 the orchids Dendrobium Cunninghamii, Earina mucronata, and 

 E. suaveolens, species usually epiphytic, but on Rangitoto mainly 

 rupestral. With them are associated many ferns and mosses, 

 including the club-mosses Tmesipteris and Psilotum, the systematic 

 position of which has been so often debated. Rangitoto is the 

 only locality in New Zealand where the latter is at all plentiful. 



One remarkable fact remains to be mentioned. Elsewhere in 

 New Zealand the various species of Trichomanes and Hymeno- 

 phyllum are essentially inhabitants of moist, shaded forests. On 

 Rangitoto alone the kidney-fern (Trichomanes reniforme) and three 

 species of Hymenophyllum nourish among the basaltic rocks exposed 

 to full sunshine. In summer the fronds are curled up, withered, 

 and appear to be dead ; in winter they are fresh and green and 

 vigorous, and apparently at home with their surroundings. 



Rangitoto has many points of interest to the lover of nature. 

 Its vegetation, save on the cinder-cone, is very much in its virgin 

 condition, and likely to remain so. It is a matter for congratulation 

 that the whole island is now an inalienable reserve for the benefit 

 of the people of Auckland. 



T. F. CHEESEMAN. 



