Cheeseman. — On the Botany of the Pirongia Mountain. 32l 



traversii were collected, but all long past flowering. In open mossy places, 

 Hymenophyllum bivalve was by no means rare. 



The following plants were seen on the highest of the peaks on the 

 Alexandra side of the mountain, altitude about 2,700 feet : — Etibus australis 

 var. cissoides, Ixerha brexioides, Quintlnia serrata, Weinmannia sylvicola, W. 

 racemosa, Fuchsia excorticata, Fpilobium pubens, Panax colensoi, P. sinclairii, 

 Griselinia littoralis, Alseitosmia macrophylla, Cnprosma lucida, C. grandifolia, 

 C. sp., C. fcetidissima, Gaultheria antijjoda, Leucopogo7i fasciculatus, Draco- 

 phyllum traversii, Myrsine salicina, Podocarpus totara (much dwarfed), CalUxene 

 parvifiora, Libertia micrantha, Cordyline banksii, Cordyline " hookeri,'' Phor- 

 mium colensoi, Astelia trinervia, A. sp. (a small species with very narrow leaves' 

 and few-flowered panicles, immature fruit alone seen), Gahnia hectori, Hymeno- 

 phyllum bivalve, H. polyanthos, H. demissum, Pteris incisa, Lomaria procera 

 var. miru)r, Lomaria vulcanica, Polypodium australe, Tmesipteris forsteri. One 

 of the most interesting of the above is Cordyline " hookeri," the toii of the 

 Maoris, which, on several of the higher peaks, forms small groves of fi.'om 

 thirty to forty individuals, usually from 6-10 feet in height. Its broad mas- 

 sive foliage and striking habit of growth render it very ornamental. None 

 of the specimens seen were branched, and no signs of flowers or fruit were 

 observed. Two naturalized plants were collected on the extreme point of 

 the peak, HypochcEris radicata and Rumex obtusifolius, seeds having in all 

 probability been accidentally brought by the surveyors, who have cleared 

 away the native vegetation in order to obtain an unobstructed view in all 

 directions. 



The view at sunrise is a most extensive one. The whole of the western 

 coast, from the Manukau Heads to Eaglan, was plainly visible. Kawhia 

 Harbour was shut out by the western side of the mountains ; but the sea 

 agam appeared between Albatros Point and Cape Teringa. Beyond this 

 were the Tapirimoko Eanges and the mountains on the further side of the 

 Mokau Eiver. Over the latter the cone of Mount Egmont stood out clear 

 and sharp against the sky, although over 100 miles distant. Looking east- 

 ward, the Waikato plain was stretched out at the very foot of the mountain. 

 Behind it, the view was bounded by the Maungatautari mountain and the 

 Patetere plateau. Southwards, looking over the top of Kakepuku, were the 

 Eangitoto Eanges and the broken and mountainous Tuliua country. And, 

 looking over these again, the lofty snow-clad mass of Euapehu was easily 

 discernible, the upper part of the cone of Tongaru'o appearing not far fi.-om 

 its side. Lake Taupo was hidden by the mountains sm^rounding it, but 

 portions of the Kaimanawa Eange on the eastern or further side of the lake 

 were clearly visible. Northwards, the view extended down the Thames and 

 Piako Valleys, and was finally closed by the Te Aroha Eange and the moun- 

 tains behind Shortland and Grahamstown. 34 



