T. Kimx.—On the Flowering Plants of Stewart Island. 215 
terminate abruptly at the base of the low hills which shut off the valley from 
the sea; but I was not able to visit the termination of either. These ter- 
races are chiefly composed of loose sand and contain water-worn fragments 
of slate-rocks; their faces are often covered with a dense growth of scrubby 
manuka. No traces of fossils were to be seen on the surface. 
In its lower part the valley is traversed from east to west by low ranges 
of sandhills from three to six feet high which, in many cases, run parallel 
with each other for two or three miles and are covered with a scanty vege- 
tation. B 
With the exception of the valleys already mentioned, and the elevated 
table-land south of Mason's Bay, there are no tracts of level land. The 
eountry is more or less broken and covered with forest. Much of the soil 
is of a peaty character, and not well adapted for general cultivation. Where 
the peat is mixed with sand, as at Mason's Bay, introduced grasses can be 
` grown with but little trouble. Mr. Walker has utilized this part of the 
island for a sheep run, and, after having had to face many difficulties, is 
realizing a fair measure of success, which will increase with the extent of 
land laid down in grass. At Halfmoon Bay, Horseshoe Bay, and Port 
William, the chief places of European settlement, the soil is of a fertile 
character, and introduced grasses are easily grown. At the Neck, which 
forms the southern head of Paterson's Inlet, a large acreage of excellent 
land is cultivated by the Maori and half-caste population. Two or three 
families reside as far south as Bravo Island in Paterson's Inlet, the extreme 
southern point of permanent residence in the colony. Port Adventure and 
places further south have long ago been abandoned by the Maoris, although 
Iam assured that peach trees and other cultivated plants still mark the 
sites of their gardens. 
No observations have been recorded with regard to temperature, amount 
of rainfall, prevailing winds, etc., so that no precise data exist by which to 
compare the climate of Stewart Island with that of other parts of the colony. 
The abundance of luxuriant tree-ferns, the luxuriance of the varied ligneous 
and herbaeeous vegetation, afford conclusive evidence of a mild, equable, 
and moist climate. In all probability the actual rainfall does not exceed 
that of Wellington or Auckland; but the atmosphere must be more con- 
tinuously moist. It will be necessary to return to this subject before the 
close of the paper; but a remarkable result of the great amount of moisture 
in the atmosphere may be recorded here: in many instances the duramen 
of old trees is converted into peat, while the alburnum is still 
its functions. Still more striking is the fact of the dense lower Toaves on 
the stems of Raoulia goyeni becoming changed into peat, while the upper 
leaves are performing their usual functions. 
