154 



J. MALCOLM MACLAREN^ ESQ., B.SC.^ ¥.G.S., ON 



Wlievever possible, the shores and mountain slopes of the 

 New Zealand sounds are covered by an extremely dense 

 and luxuriant impenetrable forest growth, the prevailing 

 sombre hues of which add not a little to the grandeur of the 

 fjord scenery. During Decembei', however, the hillsides 

 burst into a blaze with the crimson flower of the rata 

 {Metroslderos rohusta et al. sp.) the " Christmas tree " of the 

 colonists, which forms in places a not inconsiderable portion 

 of the forest growth. The luxuriance of the vegetation is 

 due to the extreme humidity of these regions, the average 

 annual rainfall being certainly not less than 125 inches. 

 The forest, at 3,500 feet, gives way to grassy uplands, and 

 these again, at a further 3,000 feet, to the perennial snow- 

 fields. 



4. Depths of the Fjords. — Probably the most remarkable 

 point of resemblance to the Norwegian fjords is that which 

 is apparent on mapping the isobathic contours of the New 

 Zealand Sounds. Like the former, they are, without ex- 

 ception, much shallower at their mouths than in the 

 interior. In no case is the depth at the entrance more than 

 7() fathoms, and the average depth there may be stated 

 at about 35 fathoms. The maximum interior depth yet 

 obtained is 288 fathoms, in Breaksea Sound. A reference to 

 the folloAving table will show these points clearly. 



* Entrance to Smith Sound. 



