160 Transactions. 
patches of Dracophyllum and other heaths, many beautiful Veronicas, and a 
great variety of composite plants, principally Celmisias, Senecios, and 
Cassinias. It is comparatively narrow on the western slope, where it ranges 
from 4,200 to 5,500 feet; but on the opposite side of the mountains it 
expands so as to embrace from 3,500 to 6,000 feet, its lower limit conforming 
to the winter snow line of the region, which, in accordance with meteorolo- 
gical laws, declines in altitude as we advance from the western sea-board 
into the interior of the island, while on the other hand the summer snow 
line rises in elevation. 
It is in this zone of the western ranges that the large species of Ranun- 
eulus, with their magnificent peltate leaves and flowers, form such a striking 
object in the alpine landscape (R. lyallii and R. traversii). 
D2.—Where the open country of the eastern plains rises above an alti- 
tude of 3,000 feet, there also Snow-grass, Veronicas, Celmisias, and other 
plants characteristic of this zone displace the more nutritious pasturage of 
the lower grounds. 
Zone E—is the alpine region, which for a great part of every year is 
completely covered with snow, and where, in consequence, all the flowering 
plants (of which there are many species of great beauty) that form wood 
are nearly stemless, and in most cases are aggregated in the form of hard, 
hassock-like patches, in consequence of the slipping action of the snow on 
the sides of the mountains, forming what are known as patch plants. 
This zone ranges from 6,000 feet upwards, the highest plants having been 
obtained at a little over 8,000 feet, but which, however, is probably not the 
extreme limit of vegetation in this latitude. 
