56 



land where a number of new plants appear, chief of which are the 

 conical-shaped kawaka or native cedar (Libocedrus Bidwillii} and the 

 small-leafed panax (Nothopanax simplex}. As Sullivan's dam is 

 approached the weeping-mapau (Myrsine divaricata) and the snowberry 

 (Gaultheria) become conspicuous members of the association, as are 

 numerous Coprosma and panax. From here to the top Coprosma 

 foetidissima, better and appropriately known as the " Stinkwood," 

 appears and becomes the dominant shrub, as the rimu, cedar, and 

 Nothopanax simplex are among the trees. 



A short distance beyond the summit of the Leith Saddle a dark 

 gate and turnstile mark the spot where the bush should be entered. 

 The bed of the creek when reached is followed for some distance, 

 and affords an excellent opportunity of seeing quite the majority 

 of the ferns of the district as well as a number of the less common 

 trees, such, e.g., as Panax Edgerleyi and the pokako (Eloeocarpus 

 Hookerianus}. The subalpine-shrub zone is entered on leaving the 

 bush, and the shrub-daisy (Olearia ilicifolia) here occurs in large 

 numbers, along with three varieties of tutu (Coriaria), a speedwell 

 (Veronica buxifolia], Cassinia, Gaultheria, &c. A very noticeable plant 

 -in this zone is the Spaniard or spear-grass (Aciphylla Colensoi) a 

 member of the carrot family. 



A short stretch of grassland containing numerous orchids, heaths, 

 and heath-like plants, as well as grasses, leads to the summit, where 

 will be found the sphagnum swamp that gave rise to the name 

 Swampy Hill. Here, unattached to any substratum of soil, are several 

 orchids, buttercups, cushion-plants (e.g., Oreostylidium], &c., while 

 near-by may be seen the only local examples of the divaricating alpine 

 wineberry (Aristotelia fruticosa), contrasting strongly with the large- 

 leafed species of the low-level forest. 



If one ha,s time and energy for a second excursion Maungatua 

 (3,000 ft.) is well worth a visit, if for no other reason than that upon 

 it may be gathered some forty-seven plants not met with nearer to 

 Dunedin. On the summit six of our seven species of grass-trees 

 (Dracophyllum) are found, five of our seven celmisias or mountain- 

 daisies, two of three gentians, seven sedges, four grasses, two speed- 

 wells, a buttercup (Ranunculus gracilipes), an eyebright (Euphrasia 

 Dyeri), a chickweed (Stellaria gracilenta], and sundry others. A copy 

 of the catalogue of the plants of the district, prepared by the 

 Dunedin Naturalists' Field Club, and procurable either from the 

 honorary secretary of that club or of the Otago Institute (price is.), 

 will be found a useful adjunct on such excursions as are indicated 

 in these notes. 



W. MARTIN. 



THE OTAGO UNIVERSITY MUSEUM. 



The foundation of the present collections of the Museum of the 

 University of Otago was laid by Dr. Hector (afterwards Sir James 

 Hector, F.R.S.), who organized a large and excellent natural-history 

 collection for the New Zealand Exhibition held in Dunedin in 1865. 

 This material formed the basis of the present Museum collections, 

 but it was not until 1877 that the central block of the present buildings 



