Grass and Herb Formations. R 239 
The abundance of the herbs and subshrubs, nearly all prostrate or low- 
growing plants, depends upon the degree of moisture in the soil. Where dry, 
but few species are present, especially, — Sce/eranthus biflorus,. Muehlenbeckia 
axıllaris, Colobanthus Billardieri, Acaena inermis, A. Buchanani (Central Otago 
and Mackenzie Plain), Geranıum sesstliflorum var. glabrum, Pimelea Lyalliü 
agg., P. sericeo-villosa (North-eastern to North Otago), Drapetes Dieffenbacht, 
Hydrocotyle novae-zelandiae var. montana, Pratia macrodon, Helichrysum. bellı- 
dioides, Cotula pyrethrifoha, C. pectinata and Senecio lautus var. montanus. 
Fig. 74. Hymenanthera dentata var. alina growing on rock, Dunstan Mts., North Ötago distriet 
t about 270 m altitude in depleted ground originally grassland. Photo L. Cockayne. 
Moister places, especially where shaded, contain a richer vegetation, which 
of course may include many of the above. Green mats of Ourisia caespitosa 
(showy when one mass of white blossom) are characteristic. The following 
may also be present: Ranunculus Enysü, R. Monroi or var, dentatus, R. multi- 
Scapus, R. Sinclairü, R. gracilipes, R. gerantifolius (North-western district), Geum 
Parviflorum, Geranium microphyllum, Oxalis magellanica, Viola Cunninghamii, 
Drapetes Lyallüi, Epilobium peduncularevar., E. chloraefolium, Schizeilemahydro- 
cotyloides, Oreomyrrhis andicola agg., Anisotome aromatica, Gentiana patula, 
Myosotis pygmaea, Veronica Lyallii, V. Bidwillii, Euphrasia Mouroi, E. revoluta, 
