158 Transactions. 



From comparative meteorological observatiouy, it would appear that four 

 times more rain falls on the west than on the east coast ; and this, as 

 may he expected, produces a m.arked difference in the character of the 

 flora. Moreover, owing to the influence of the mountains which thus inter- 

 cept the moist winds, a comparatively arid district occurs in the interior of 

 the province, w^hicli approaches to within a variable distance of the east 

 coast, according to the form of the surface and the prevalence of dry, 

 shingly soils. 



"Whatever may have been the original botanical features of this district, 

 it is now, at least, characterized by an almost total absence of forest. That 

 heavy timber at one time grew upon the ranges is indicated by the occur- 

 rence of large half-consumed logs ; but it is very improbable, from the 

 nature of the soil on the fiat basin-like plains, that they ever supported any 

 other kind of vegetation than gi\asses and low scrub. 



In addition, therefore, to the division of the flora into zones according 

 to altitude, it is intended, in the diagram, to represent the three parallel 

 districts of the Avest, central, and eastern parts of the province. 



Zone A — consists of mixed bush. Al is the forest of the West Coast, 

 that clothes steep slopes and confined valleys which open directly on the 

 sea without the intervention of open or alluvial laud. It presents no essen- 

 tial difference of character between the sea level and an altitude of 4,200 

 feet, (which is the highest limit ever reached by the sylvan zone in any part 

 of Otago), Avhile in many instances it ceases, without obvious reason, at a 

 much lower elevation. 



As indicated by the prevalence of certain trees, the western forest may 

 be subdivided as follows : — 



{a.) Along the shore there is a profusion of shrub Veronicas and 

 Olearias, and large Irouwood trees Avith gnarled branches. 



(5.) The flat laud and low spurs are covered with the common species of 

 Pines and Birch, such as Eimu, Totara, Welnmannia (Karmahi), and Facjus 

 (Tawai), with a dense undergrowth, aud many tree ferns, among which the 

 most remarkable is the Mamakii {CyatJiea mechdlaris), a Tree-fern only 

 found in Otago, on the West Coast, though common in the northern 

 provinces. 



(c.) From 1,000 feet upwards the Pines diminish in number but are still 

 v,^ell grown ; and in addition to the common kinds, the Toatoa, or Celery 

 Pine (Phjllocladus al])inas), becomes abundant. The Eata (called Irouwood 

 in the south) acquires an immense size on the loftier ridges ; but, ou the 

 whole, the trees which predominate are the Eed and White Birches, which 

 gradually become dwarfed, aud form, along vvith the heath-like and 

 composite shrubs, the belt of dense scrub Avhich ahvays marks the iq^pei* 



