Hectoh.- — Gcorjraplical Hofavij of New Zealand. 159 



limit of tlie foi-ests. Tlie most striking feature of this western busli is, 

 liowever, the wonderful luxuriance of cryptogamic plants, every shrub and 

 tree being loaded with damp lichens, mosses, and fungi, which rapidly 

 destroy the timber. 



A2. — The mixed bush of the East Coast presents a marked difference 

 from that on the west : on the whole, the timber is better grown and of 

 larger size, and there is a much greater A^ariety of Pines. Its most charac- 

 teristic development is around Dunediu, where it is rare to meet any Iron- 

 wood, Karmahi, or Birch, which are so common on the west, Black and 

 White Birch being wholly wanting. 



Zone B. — In crossing the alpine ranges to the eastern side, the upper limit 

 of the forest is at a less elevation, reaching to only 3,500 feet, and along 

 the eastern slope of the mountains consists nearly wholly of Birch trees, 

 with patches of mixed bush in favourable situations by the sides of the 

 larger lakes. The valleys in this district are generally occupied by a dense 

 scrub, consisting of Veronicas, Cassinias, and Olearias, resembling somewhat 

 the sub-alpine flora, while the woods are skirted by a luxuriant growth of 

 the handsome Lace-bark treg {PlagiantJius Ij/allii), vfith its delicate green 

 leaves and large white flowers. 



Zone Cl. — As has been already observed, the influence of the mountains 

 in intercepting moist westerly winds, has given to the district in tho 

 central part of the island a flora which possesses almost a continental or 

 arid type. 



Cryptogamic plants, which are generally so abundant in New Zealand, 

 are almost wanting, being largely reduced in relative percentage to the 

 phanerogamic flora. 



The plains are covered with grasses, the roots of which are gathered into 

 tufts or tussocks, intermixed with the Bayonet grass or "Wild Spaniard" 

 {Aciphylla Qolensoi), Toumatakuru (Discaria toumafoio), and a great variety 

 of the New Zealand brooms {Garmichcelid) , with small Orchids, Pimelias, 

 and ericaceous plants. 



Advancing towards the east, the grasses acquire a different character, in- 

 dicating the influence of moisture derived from the eastern sea-board. 



The yellow tussock predominates, and is intermixed with a rank growth 

 of fern {Pteris aquilina, var. esculentd), Tutu (Goriarki), several species, 

 Flax (PJiormium tenax), and the soft-leaved Spear-grass {Aciphylla squar- 

 rosa), all of which latter plants rarely occur in the interior or lake 

 district. 



Zone Dl. — This is the zone of sub-alpine plants, which is especially 

 distinguished by the prevalence of large bunches of Snow-grass, which term 

 includes various species of Dantlionia and Agrostis, intermixed with scrubby 



