386 Transactions. — Botany. 



The highest peaks on this range in the district examined are Mamaepuke, 

 Whakairi, Kaitarakihi, and Pakirarahi. 



Each of these deserves special mention, but as Mr. Kirk gives a descrip- 

 tion of the first, it is only necessary to add to his remarks an observation 

 that appears worthy of attention. One of the approaches to Mamaepuke 

 (Mount Wynard) is by a steep ridge that rises to a height little inferior to 

 that of the mountain itself, and yet the deep gully that separates these 

 ranges also separates the characteristic main range vegetation from that of 

 the taua, hinau, and other common plants, on the lofty ridge that ap- 

 proaches it. 



The next high hill on the range in a southerly direction is Whakairi, or 

 Table Mountain ; and as it is within an easy day's walk from the Thames, 

 I have been several times on the summit which forms a broad plateau. 



The plants peculiar to the mountain are Celmisia longifolia and Epacris 

 dhchtirii. The Celmisia is in Mr. Kirk's list, but it differs widely from the 

 South Island plant of the same name. I have seen it only on a bare cliff 

 near the summit of this mountain, and there were not more than a dozen 

 plants. 



The Epacris was not flowering at the time it was gathered. It probably 

 flowers in November at the same time as E. pauciflora. 



The other plants found on Whakairi can be also found on the opposite 

 but much lower peak, Atuatumai, and from thence all along the ranges 

 that rise precipitously from the upper course of the Kaueranga. This part 

 of the river is not very well known unless to gum-diggers. Its course is 

 from west to east, and it flows right from the heart of the main range. It 

 bears some resemblance to the head waters of the Canterbury rivers in the 

 water-falls, the masses of rock in the course, and the narrow gorges ; but 

 the ruggedness of the precipitous walls of rock on each side of the stream 

 are clothed with an abundant growth of kiekie and Gahnia. The whole of 

 this upper course has the characteristic main range vegetation on the sum- 

 mits of the ranges, with abundance of Loxsoma cunninghamii and Lindsaa 

 viridis near the stream, and of Lomaria elongata near the cataracts. 



The next peak on the range is Kaitarakihi, which stands near the source 

 of the Piraunui Creek, a tributary of the Kaueranga. Like Whakairi it 

 rises in a series of plateaux, the characteristic trachyte formation. A stiff 

 climb is succeeded by a broad flat, and so on until the summit is reached, 

 which is very unlike that of Table Mountain, as it is very narrow. The view 

 from the top is perhaps more extensive tban from any peak on the peninsula. 



The plant peculiar to the upper part of the mountain, but not growing 

 near the summit, is Coprosmafeetidissima. This is a very rare plant on the 

 Thames side ; as I found it in one place only off the main range, and that 



