Plant Formations.] 



SUBANTARCTIC ISLANDS OF NEW ZEALAND. 



491 



ternaria, Acaena, Rumex acetosella (sorrel), Geranium micwphyllufn, Stellaria media 

 (chickweed), and Efilohium conjertifolium. The last two mentioned are amongst the 

 first plants to appear between the bunches of Bulhinella. Not only does the Bulhi- 

 nella, under these circumstances, replace the tussock, but where the Dracofhyllum has 

 been cleared the ground is at first occupied by it, though afterwards, as the ground 

 dries and if it is not heavily stocked, the Bulhinella is to a large extent replaced in 

 turn by the common tussock. It is clear, therefore, that if the lower tussock 



Fig. 3. — Sheep in Paddock (Campbell Island) with Foa liturom. and Biilbincila. 



meadows were kept free from sheep for a year or two, and were drained where 

 possible, the tussock would probably recover itself. Failing some such treatment, 

 the greater portion of the island is likely to become barren within the next decade. 

 In a few places, where the ground has become hardened and is not saturated with 

 water, several of the smaller native grasses are beginning to form a turf. 



The Effect of the Sheep on the Larger Herbaceous Plants. 



It is perhaps worthy of note that most of the larger herbaceous plants which are 

 the glory of the island are being especially attacked by the sheep, which are reported 

 to eat greedily of Ligusticum latifolium, and grow fat upon it. Hence this plant is 

 becoming more and more confined to the faces of rocky cliffs and other inaccessible 

 places. Apparently they are as fond of it as of its New Zealand congener Angelica 

 Gingidium. L. antipodum is also attacked, but not so readily at L. latifolium. It 



