T. Kirk. — On the Flowering Plants of Stewart Island. 225 



Poafoliosa, Hook. f. The typical form; a noble species, producing an im= 



ruense yield of herbage. Observed only on Herekopere Island ; but a 



native informed me that it was to be found on several headlands near 



the South Cape. Plentiful on the Auckland and Campbell Islands. 



The total number of Phsenoganis observed on the island is about 380, 



one half being species generally distributed throughout the colony. From 



the small amount of variation exhibited in the plants of different districts, 



except under changed conditions, I see no reason to anticipate any large 



additions to this number, not more than from 12 to 15 per cent, at most, 



and in all probability less than 10 per cent. ; but amongst these additions 



several species new to science may fairly be anticipated, as well as others 



at present known only from the Auckland and Campbell Islands. 



The absence of many species of general distribution is most remarkable, 

 and in most cases not easy to be accounted for. Not a single leguminous 

 plant has yet been observed, although Sophora and Carmichcelia are found on 

 the opposite side of the strait. Dodonaa, Melieope, Pennantia, Hoheria, are 

 altogether wanting ; still more singular is the apparent absence of Oxalis, 

 Pelargonium, Daucus, Galium, Microseris, Scleranthus, and other genera. 

 The spear-grasses of the South Island are represented by a single endemic 

 species only, Aciphylla traillii. The white pine, Podoearpus daerydioides, does 

 not appear to occur on the island, the common name being applied by the 

 bushmen to Dacrydium intermedium. Podoearpus spicata is extremely rare, 

 and P. nivalis has not been observed. More remarkable still is the total 

 absence of the beeches, although Fagus cliff ortioides, F. menziesii, and F. 

 fusca descend to the sea-level on the opposite mainland. The absence of 

 the toatoa (Phyllocladus alpinus) is equally noteworthy. 



A striking peculiarity of the flora of Stewart Island is the occurrence at 

 sea-level of numerous species usually restricted to alpine or sub-alpine situa- 

 tions. Amongst these may be enumerated : — 



Claytonia australasica, Drosera arcturi, 



Hydrocotyle muscosa, lAparophyllum gunnii, 



Actinotus nova-zealandicB, Veronica buxifolia, 



Olearia colensoi, Drapetes lyallii, 



Celmisia petiolata, Dacrydium colensoi, 



Senecio elaagnifolius, ,, laxifolium, 



Oreostylidium subulatwm, Caladenia bifolia, 



Cyathodes empetrifolia, Centrolepis monogyna, 



Pentachondra pumila, Oreobolus stricta, 



Dracophyllum longifolium, „ pumilio, 



Gentiana saxosa, Uncinia rubra, 



Droseifo stenopetala, Hierochloe alpina. 



15 



