160 Transactions. 



patches o£ Dracopliyllum and other heaths, many beautiful Veronicas, and a 

 great variety of composite plants, principally Gelmisias, Senecios, and 

 Gassinias. It is comparatively narrow on the western slope, where it ranges 

 from 4,200 to 5,500 feet ; but on the opposite side of the mountains it 

 expands so as to embrace from 3,500 to 6,000 feet, its loAver limit conforming 

 to the winter snow line of the region, which, in accordance Avith meteorolo- 

 gical laws, declines in altitude as Ave advance from the A\estern sea-board 

 into the interior of the island, while on the other hand the summer snow 

 line rises in elevation. 



It is in this zone of the western ranges that the large species of Banun- 

 cuhts, Avith their magnificent peltate leaves and flowers, form such a strikiug 

 object in the alpine landscape {B. Ji/allii and R. traversii). 



D2. — Where the open country of the eastern plains rises above an alti- 

 tude of 3,000 feet, there also Snow-grass, Veronicas, Gelmisias, and other 

 plants characteristic of this zone displace. the more nutritious pasturage of 

 the lower grounds. 



Zone E — is the alpine region, which for a great part of every year is 

 completely covered with snow, and where, in consequence, all the floAvering 

 plants (of Avhich there are many species of great beauty) that form wood 

 are nearly stemless, and in most cases are aggregated in the form of hard, 

 hassock-like patches, in consequence of the slipping action of the snow on 

 the sides of the mountains, forming AA^hat are known ?k^ patcli plants. 



This zone ranges from 6,000 feet upwards, the highest plants having been 

 obtained at a little over 8,000 feet, but which, however, is probably not the 

 extreme limit of vegetation in this latitude. 



