The Plant Formations. 261 
that Spinifex hirsutus is absent. Where the sand is stable comes dune-forest 
made up, near “he sea, entirely of Olearia Traversiü and Suttonia chathamica, 
but further inlanı, other trees occur. 
Where sand has blown on to flat rock-ledges the endemic Sonchus grandi- 
folius‘) grows luxuriantly (Plate LVI, Fig. 85), and, in its company the endemic 
creeping, xerophytic grass Festuca Cori, Salicornia australis, Apium prostratum 
and Samolus repens var. procumbens. 
4. Cliff and rock. 
A rocky coast-line is a frequent feature especially in the S. of the main 
island and of the smaller islands. Where there is a maximum of spray the 
endemic Veronica chathamica”) is characteristic and its companion-plants are: 
— Mesembryanthemum australe, Apium prostratum, Salicornia australis, Senecio 
radiolatus, stunted Olearia Traversii and the endemic Geranium Traversu, 
but this last seems hardly so tolerant of salt. Blechnum durum, in less Sr * 
phytic stations, forms extensive pure .colonies. | 
ear the margin of the great lagoon, there are benestne cliffs, in many 
places, which, at one time purely littoral, now bear a cevering partly coastal, 
partly inland. The most striking plant is the endemic Veronica Dieffenbachn’). " 
' Other common plants of this association are: — Adiantum affine (in hollows), 
' Phormium tenax, Geranium Traversü, Linum monogynum var. chathamicum, 
Acaena nerländibe; Styphelia Richei and Senecio lautus. 
Frequently, flattish rock is covered with peat which varies considerably 
in depth. In such places, a turf may be formed out of a close growth of, — 
 Seirpus cernuus, Triglochin striata var. filifolia, Ranunculus acaulis, Kreise 
lineata, Pratia arenaria and Selliera radicans. Meeeereh een ap 
