304 The Botanical Subdivisions of New Zealand. 
the area affected by the average westerly rain. The river Waiau marks the 
southern boundary. The western boundary, as shown on the map, is provis- 
ional, and so with all similar boundaries mentioned below. 
Except on the eastern side of the Seaward Kaikoura Mts., the district has 
a highly developed steppe vegetation, the rainfall being lower in relation to 
altitude than elsewhere in New Zealand, Central Otago excepted. In con- 
sequence, there are a number of highly specialized endemic xerophytes. On 
the steppe-area unless near the coast, forest is absent except attimesin gullies; when 
it consists of Nothofagus cliffortioides. There is however luxuriant forest on the E. 
side of the Seaward Kaikouras containing certain North Island shrubs &c., e. g. — 
Rhopalostylis sapida, Melicope ternata, M. Mantellii and Coprosma grandifolia, 
so that this portion might be considered a sub-district. This view is supported 
by the fact of a North Island Corynocarpus coastal-forest following the shore- 
line. The cliff-vegetation of Olearia insignis, Veronica Hulkeana, Phormium 
Cookianum &c. is a striking feature of the district. The extent of shingle-slip 
in the mountains is truly remarkable, while fell-field is scanty and most open 
in character. The > number 722 of which the following are con- 
fined to the district: — ARanunculus lobulatus, Geum_ divergens, Chordo- 
spartium Stevensoni, Nerkösparniem Carmichaeliae, Epilobium rostratum var. 
Pubens, ee Ye. kaikourense, Gunnera cordifolid, Schizeilema Roughii, 
 Gentiana A Fracto-saxosa, Cuscuta densiflora, Myosotis Cockay- 
 miana, M. Ei Veronica nupicola, V. macrantha var. brachyphylla, Wahlen- 
bergia Matthewsi, W. cartilaginea, Olearia insignis, O. coriacea, Celmisia 
 Cockayniana, c: Monroi, Gnaphalium nitidulum, Raoulia cinerea, Helichrysum 
 Sinclairüi, H. Fowerakeri, H. coralloides, Cassinia albida, Senecio Monroi, _ 
iS Christensenii and S. Zapidosus. Haastia pulvinaris is especially characteristic, 
but it extends for a short distance into the North-western district, as ar un R 
some ‚of the other *endemic” species. 
10. . North-western South Island District (Southern province). 
‚as shown on the re 
a Ipine Vegetation. and Mora. with Feie herb-field. 
