158 Transactions. 
From comparative meteorological observations, it would appear that four 
times more rain falls on the west than on the east coast; and this, as 
may be expected, produces a marked difference in the character of the 
flora. Moreover, owing to the influence of the mountains which thus inter- 
cept the moist winds, a comparatively arid district occurs in the interior of 
the province, which approaches to within a variable distance of the east 
coast, according to the form of the surface and the prevalence of dry, 
shingly soils. 
Whatever may have been the original botanical features of this district, 
it is now, atleast, characterized by an almost total absence of forest. That 
heavy timber at one time grew upon the ranges is indicated by the occur- 
rence of large half-consumed logs; but it is very improbable, from the 
nature of the soil on the flat basin-like plains, that they ever supported any 
other kind of vegetation than grasses and low scrub. 
In addition, therefore, to the division of the flora into zones according 
to altitude, it is intended, in the diagram, to represent the three parallel 
districts of the west, central, and eastern parts of the province. 
Zone A—consists of mixed bush. Al is the forest of the West Coast, 
that clothes steep slopes and confined valleys which open directly on the 
sea without the intervention of open or alluvial land. It presents no essen- 
tial difference of character between the sea level and an altitude of 4,200 
feet, (which is the highest limit ever reached by the sylvan zone in any part 
of Otago), while in many instances it ceases, without obvious reason, at a 
much lower elevation. 
As indicated by the prevalence of certain trees, the western forest may 
be subdivided as follows :— 
(a. Along the shore there is a profusion of shrub Veronicas and 
Olearias, and large Ironwood trees with gnarled branches. 
(b.) The flat land and low spurs are covered with the common species of 
Pines and Birch, such as Rimu, Totara, Weinmannia (Karmahi), and Fagus 
(Tawai), with a dense undergrowth, and many tree ferns, among which the 
most remarkable is the Mamaku (Cyathea medullaris), a Tree-fern only 
found in Otago, on the West Coast, though common in the northern 
provinees. 
(c.) From 1,000 feet upwards the Pines diminish in number but are still 
well grown; and in addition to the eommon kinds, the Toatoa, or Celery 
Pine (PAyllocladus alpinus), becomes abundant. The Rata (called Ironwood 
in the south) acquires an immense size on the loftier ridges; but, on the 
whole, the trees which predominate are the Red and White Birches, which 
gradually become dwarfed, and form, along with the heath-like and 
composite shrubs, the belt of dense scrub which always marks the upper 
EU WS ee, eee WIN vt 
