246 .; The Plant Formations of the High Mountains. 
Senecio Lyallii, Astelia montana and Viola filiformis are abundant. Veronica 
Laingit (cupressoid) is common and larger than in wet ground, 
3. Wet Herb-Field. 
This association is closely related to moor, but it varies nboniäiderakle in 
its water-content and especially in the relation to drainage. Where, for example, 
the ground is subject to drainage by rapidly flowing streams the flora and 
growth-forms differ markediy from those of more strictly boggy ground. A 
distinction then may be drawn between badly-drained and semi-drained wet 
herb-field, the latter carrying a tall sub-mesophytic association and the former 
one that is low and xerophytic. 
&@. Semi-drained Wet Herb-Field +» 
The dominant species in the South Island are very frequently tussocks of 
Schoenus pauciflorus and rosettes of the summer-green Senecio scorzoneroides, 
the flower-heads of which, especially if white, render the association most con- 
spicuous. Ranunculus Lyallii may be abundant. Green bushes of Veronica 
buxifolia may be dotted about, or form an actual scrub. A species of Ourisia, 
‚doubtfully referred to O. Colensoi, often forms wide patches. Other common 
he are: — Carex ternaria, Ranunculus foliosus, Viola Cunninghamü, Epi- 
lobium chlorasfolium, ER patula, Oreomyrrhis andicola, Celmisia petiolata, 
| Helichrysum bellidioides, pr of are Microseris scapigera, Senecio Lyallüı 
; and Taraxacum magellanicum. 
#1 3° The, vegetation of banks of an on the dry mountains is related to 
this formation. On such, the more mesophytic plants of the adjacent fell- 
field ‚grow with much ae luxuriance. Senecio en and Veronica buxi- 
er var. odora are characteristic plants. _ 
m Badly-drained Wet Herb-Field (Herb-Moor). 
| "This association might equally well be classed with moor from which. ae 
iS differs chiefly in the dryer ground, the absence of pools of water, Sphagnum 
and some other plants confined to actual bog, and the presence of plants 
which rarely or never extend on to boggy ground. As in moor, the abundance 
of cushions is a striking feature. The association attains its greatest development 
in Stewart Island, where it occupies all the mountains above the scrub-line a 
and. descends. to within a few metres of sea-level at Port Fe in the 3 . 
of the Island. 
Seen om. a ‚distance, the essen, as it occurs in Stewart-Isand, presents 
when walking. on it, one soon Be 
3 most even and smooth ‚surface, but ı 
:ofa mass a Se a en 
eir. former Pre. There is 
. 
