> 
134 The Plant Formations. 
certanity, but it is evident that some of the associations are more hygrophytic than 
others, while, where the struggle for existence has been observed in action, one 
tree or association can be seen replacing anöther. Leaving Nothofagus-forest out 
of consideration, perhaps Dacrydium cupressinum- and Podocarpus totara-forest 
are the most primitive, the one in the wettest and the other in the dryest forest- 
climate, But whatever totara-forest may be, D. cupressinum-forest cannot be 
considered a climax-association, since in the N. and C. it is being replaced by 
Weinmannia sylvicola, Metrosideros robusta and Beilschmiedia tawa and, inthe 
S.'), possibly by Weinmannia racemosa in some places and by Metrosideros lucida 
in others. A 
“ 2. Rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum) forest. 
General. 
This association extends from the high land S. of Hokianga Harbour to 
Stewart Island. In the Northern botanical province it does not ocur ta 
much lower altitude than 600 m, while in the Volcanic Plateau and East Cape 
; and the whole 
t- 
