Currseman.—On the Botany of the Pirongia Mountain. 821 
traversit were collected, but all long past flowering. In open mossy places, 
Hymenophyllum bivalve was by no means rare. 
The following plants were seen on the highest of the peaks on the 
Alexandra side of the mountain, altitude about 2,700 feet :—Rubus australis 
var. cissoides, Ixerba brewioides, Quintinia serrata, Weinmannia sylvicola, W. 
racemosa, Fuchsia excorticata, Epilobium pubens, Panas colensoi, P. sinclairii, 
Griselinia littoralis, Alseuosmia macrophylla, Coprosma lucida, C. grandifolia, 
C. sp., C. fetidissina, Gaultheria antipoda, Leucopogon fasciculatus, Draco- 
phyllum traversii, Myrsine salicina, Podocarpus totara (much dwarfed), Callixene 
parviflora, Libertia micrantha, Cordyline banksii, Cordyline ** hookeri,” Phor- 
mium colensoi, Astelia trinervia, A. sp. (a small species with very narrow leaves 
and few-flowered panicles, i t Y Gahnia hectori, Hymeno- 
Phyllum bivalve, H. polyanthos, H. demissum, Pteris incisa, Lomaria procera 
var. minor, Lomaria vulcanica, Polypodium australe, Tmesipteris forsteri. One 
of the most interesting of the above is Cordyline ** hookeri,” the toii of the 
Maoris, which, on several of the higher peaks, forms small groves of from 
thirty to forty individuals, usually from 6-10 feet in height. Its broad mas- 
sive foliage and striking habit of growth render it very ornamental. None 
of the specimens seen were branched, and no signs of flowers or fruit were 
observed. Two naturalized plants were collected on the extreme point of 
the peak, Hypocheris radicata and Rumex obtusifolius, seeds having in all 
probability been accidentally brought by the surveyors, who have cleared 
away the native vegetation in order to obtain an unobstructed view in all 
irections. 
The view at sunrise is a most extensive one. The whole of the western 
coast, from the Manukau Heads to Raglan, was plainly visible. Kawhia 
Harbour was shut out by the western side of the mountains ; but the sea 
again appeared between Albatros Point and Cape Teringa. Beyond this 
were the Tapirimoko Ranges and the mountains on the further side of the 
Mokau River. Over the latter the cone of Mount Egmont stood out clear 
and sharp against the sky, although over 100 miles distant. Looking east- 
ward, the Waikato plain was stretched out at the very foot of the mountain. 
Behind it, the view was bounded by the Maungatautari mountain and the 
Patetere plateau. Southwards, looking over the top of Kakepuku, were the 
Rangitoto Ranges and the broken and mountainous Tuhua country. And, 
looking over these again, the lofty snow-clad mass of Ruapehu was easily 
discernible, the upper part of the cone of Tongariro appearing not far from 
its side. Lake Taupo was hidden by the mountains surrounding it, but 
portions ’of the Kaimanawa Range on the eastern or further side of the lake 
were clearly visible. Northwards, the view extended down the Thames and 
Piako Valleys, and was finally closed by the Te Aroha Range and the moun- 
tains behind Shortland and Grahamstown. 34 
