﻿TOUR ON THE TABLE-LAND OF MOUNT ARTHUR. 9 



all round. This plateau varies from 3600 to 4000 ft. above the 

 sea-level, and is covered with mountain birch, traversed by many 

 singular openings, which support a dense growth of tussock- 

 grass and numerous alpine plants. The mountains easily 

 accessible are Gordon's Pyramid (4600 ft.), Mount Arthur 

 (5800 ft.), and Mount Peel (5500 ft.). The varying elevations 

 which are traversed in ascending these gives the naturalist a rare 

 opportunity of observing and collecting an extremely interesting 

 series of alpine plants and insects. Eespecting the former I can 

 give no information, but feel sure that a visit to the table-land 

 would amply repay any botanist who was not afraid of a little 

 hard work. As to the best means of reaching the table- land, it 

 of course depends entirely upon whether we make Nelson or 

 Motueka the base of operations : in either case a horse and trap 

 is required, but while a whole day's driving is necessary from 

 Nelson, less than half the time is needed from Motueka to reach 

 the Graham's Eiver. This is a small branch of the Motueka 

 Eiver, which rises in the Mount Arthur range, and flows into the 

 main stream about fifteen miles above the town. After crossing 

 the Motueka a short distance above the mouth of the Graham a 

 fairly good road takes us to Heath's, where it is usually con- 

 venient to stop the night before continuing the journey. Arrange- 

 ments can also be made with Mr. Heath to carry the bulk of 

 one's impedimenta by pack-horse on to the table-land, which is 

 a great assistance, especially as it is necessary to take provisions 

 for the whole time one intends to remain there, and an abundance 

 of clothing to put on during the cold nights. 



As soon as the usual hideous stratum of burnt logs, which 

 surrounds almost all cultivation in New Zealand, is passed, the 

 forest becomes extremely beautiful, and the views which one 

 obtains from the back, as it passes up the side of the Graham 

 Eiver, are really very fine. About four hours' hard climbing 

 from Heath's brings us to the saddle at an altitude of about 

 3000 ft. above the sea-level : here the source of the Eiver Pearse 

 is crossed, where several interesting Neuroptera can be captured, 

 a delicate species allied to Heinerobius being one of the most 

 conspicuous. Just before we cross this stream a fine view of 

 Mount Arthur is to be seen through an opening in the trees. 

 From this point the track gradually descends, following the sea 

 of Flora Creek for a matter of ten miles, and passing through 

 dense birch forest all the way. Here on favourable days in 

 January and February may be seen the rare and beautiful 

 Dodonidia helmsii flying quietly about in and out of the sunshine, 

 and settling on the branches just out of reach. I may state that 

 four specimens of this butterfly only have at present been taken, 

 and that the British Museum are much in want of a type ; so 

 perhaps visitors to this locality may be good enough to look out 

 for the insect, and obtain one for the National Collection. I 



