The Plant Formations. 263 
burning and the trampling of stock, so, although it was doubtless very similar 
to the table-land association’), this latter, being quite virgin in places, is alone 
dealt with here. 
e soil consists of peat which varies considerably in its water-content, 
this latter being reflected in the vegetation, so that the following successive 
associations can be defined, — Sphagnum.bog; Lepyrodia- Olearia bog; Olearia- 
Dracophyllum bog and Dracophylium paludosum association, this a connecting- 
ink between moor and forest. 
Sphagnum bog. 
ei A species of Sphagnum forms large, rounded cushions on which grow in 
the wettest portions, Scirpus inundatus and a species of Carex. Where a little 
drier are Hierochloe redolens, Pratia arenaria and the endemic grass Poa 
chathamica. Other associated plants are, — Gleichenia dicarpa, Eleocharis 
" Cunninghamü, Drosera binata, Myriophyllum pedunculatum, Utricularia monan- 
thos. The Gleichenia frequently establishes wide colonies. Tiny plants of Draco- 
phyllum paludosum and Olearia semidentata in bloom are not uncommon. 
Sporodanthus-Olearia bog. 
This association follows Sphagnum bog, as soon as the ground becomes 
a shade drier. The soil is peat, fully saturated with water, and, at a depth 
of 20cm, it has the consistency of porridge. The vegetation is extremely 
dense and consists of Sporodanthus Traversii?) mixed and entangled with Olcarıa 
semidentata and Dracophyllum paludosum, the mass averaging perhaps 1.5 m 
in depth. 
One Drossel bog. 
This association, which succeeds the last-described as the ground becomes ; 
drier, consists of about an equal amount of the Olcaria and Dracop} hyllum = 
while, in open places, are Poa chathamica, Drosera binata, Gentiana chatha- wi 
mica and the Urricularia. Possibly Phormium was originally an important 
constituent. When the Olraria is in full bloom the brilliant purple fl we 
heads, in hundreds on every bush, render-th Chatham Isl is’ moors T- 
fully beautiful. er De ; 3 se = a = 
ae paludosum association. ’ = &% ie, 
is a distinct transition between moor and a D. li & F : 
‚high is aaa and mixed with it here and there trees of D. arboreum Wie ; 
juvenile plants of this latter equalling D. palwdosum in height, but distingiushec 
by their broad ah are SDR On the en grow. Poa Gen 
seedli : sch Dra 
