188 Ussai/s. 



instances of this, fourteen species of Hymenophyllum ferns out of fifteen 

 species known in New Zealand Lave been collected there, and thirteen 

 species of HooTceria moss out of sixteen species known in New Zealand. 



A descriptive sketch of the leading botanical features that occur in 

 passing up one of the principal valleys of the province, and the ascent of a 

 mountain on the central range, with the knowledge acquired by the previous 

 lists of plants known to exist there, will give an average idea of how they 

 are distributed over the whole, and the changes that take place by altitude. 

 For this purpose the valley of the Clutha will be selected. 



Before starting from the coast the littoral plants may be examined. 

 The principal plants of a large size, peculiar to the coast line, are Veronica 

 elliptica and Myoporum Icetum. Ziinum monogynum, although a littoral plant, 

 is often found inland with other littoral species, probably lingering on old 

 sea-margins. 



Sand-hills on the coast line have a peculiar vegetation of a remarkable 

 sameness in species all round New Zealand. The following are always found 

 there :- — Muj)Jw7'hia glauca, Pimelea arenaria, Scirjms marithmcs, DesmoscJicenus 

 spiralis, Convolvulus soldanella, Senecio lautus, Goprosma acerosa, Mesemh^yan- 

 tliemum australe, Cassinia leptophylla, Geranium inicrophyllmn. 



In little swamps near the mouths of rivers and along the coast will 

 be found such plants as Samolus littoralis, Salicornia indica, Lepidium olera- 

 eeum, Juncus mariUmns. Again on banks will be found Tetragona expansa, 

 Apium australe, Selliera radicans [JRuppia maritimci\, and many other small 

 plants. There is one fern remarkably abundant on the Otago coast, both 

 east and west, forming by its close growth little mounds (Asplenium ohtus. 

 atum var. obliquum). 



Proceeding up the river, the country for the first twenty-five miles 

 consists either of plains or undulating low hills of open grass country, with 

 patches of forest near the river or on the islands. Bush is also found in 

 patches on the slopes of the higher hills which bound the valley. The bush 

 here is a fair representation of that of the western region, consisting 

 of species of Podocarpus, Pacrydium, JSIeirosideros, Weinmannia, Pagus, 

 Sopliora, Panax, Plttospormn, and a sprinkling of all the lesser plants. 



Patches of scrub are also found along the river, composed chiefly of 

 Olearia virgata, species of Coprosma, Discaria, Peptospermum scoparium, and 

 CarmichcBlia. 



Swamps are frequent along the valley, in some places fringed by raupo 

 {Typlia angustifolict) . This plant continues encroaching and filling up lagoons, 

 and forming a bottom for many others, such as Car ex gaudicliaudiana, Car ex 

 ternarla, Cyperus ustulatus, Puzula campestrls, P. pumila, Carex virgata 

 (nigger-head of the settlers), and mosses, all playing an important part in 



