T. Kirk. — On the Flowering Plants of Stewart Island. 21 § 



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. 



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 

 country 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 

 I am 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 tbat of other parts of the colony. 

 The abundance of luxuriant tree-ferns, the luxuriance of the varied ligneous 

 and herbaceous 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 moisturg 

 in the atmosphere may be recorded here : in many instances the duramen 

 of old trees is converted into peat, while the alburnum is still discharging 

 its functions. Still more striking is the fact of the dens© lower leaves on 

 the stems of Raoulia goyeni becoming changed into peat, while the upper 

 leaves are performing their usual functions. 



