758 SUBANTARCTIC ISLANDS OF NEW ZEALAND. [Soils and Soil-formers. 



apparently slipped down the gullies, which may be considered evidence of the occur- 

 rence of bog-slides on the islands. 



These two soils, taken from localities about a mile apart as the crow flies, are 

 very similar in composition. 



J 810 is a soil taken to a depth of 9 in. in two places on the 24th November, 

 1907, which is closely related in composition to J 795-6, differing chiefly in the 

 amount of precipitate classed as iron and aluminium oxides, but which in this case 

 are titanium, zirconium, and other oxides of rare earths, precipitated by ammonia. 

 It was collected from the hill above Camp Cove, at 1,000 ft. elevation, and from a 

 locality facing the previous samples, being on the opposite side of Carnley Strait. 

 The flora was chiefly Danthonia bromoides, mixed with Gnaphalium, Acaena, Veronica 

 Benthami, Hierochloe Brunonis, Coprosma farviflora, Pleurophyllum Hookeri, Coprosma 

 cuneata, Celmisia vernicosa, Hymenophyllum multifidum. See fig. 11, p. 217, for a 

 view of the locality near where this was collected. 



Lowland Humus Soils (less than 10 per cent, inorganic). 



J 794, 797, 809, 816, 819, 825. — These are samples from similar localities as 

 regards altitude, flora, and distance from sea. The figures obtained are all very 

 similar, with the exception of those for iron and aluminium oxides, a point which 

 will be discussed elsewhere. 



J 797 was collected on the 22nd November, 1907, to a depth of 3 ft., on the 

 North Arm track to the west coast, about half a mile from the inland side of the sea. 

 The flora was chiefly Panax simplex, Cassinia Vauvilliersii, Danthonia bromoides, 

 and moss. 



J 809 was collected on the 24th November, 1907, to a depth of 1 ft., from two 

 places on Skua Gull Flat, situated on an open space of several acres, 150 ft. above 

 the boat-depot at Camp Cove. The flora was Danthonia bromoides, Cyathodes empe- 

 trifolia, Coprosma repens, Dracophyllum longifolium (stunted), Oreobolus pectinatus, 

 Coprosma parviflora, C. foetidissima, Cassinia Vauvilliersii, Suttonia divaricata, 

 Hymenophyllum multifidum, moss, and lichens. 



J 816 was the first 18 in. of a shaft which was sunk on the 26th November, 

 1907, to ascertain the depth and character of the subsoil on the highest part of this 

 flat (see fig. 3, p. xvi). 



J 819 was the first 18 in. of another shaft, sunk on the lowest portion of the 

 flat. 



These four soils are characterized by the excessive amount of organic matter 

 (96-97 per cent.), and the consequent minimum amount of inorganic or mineral 

 matter. They are, moreover, all collected from what will probably be known phy- 

 tologically as the " open-lane formation " of the Auckland Islands. The forest on 

 these islands is in many places cut into lanes, probably by excessive wind-action. 

 This is well seen in photos fig. 11, p. 217, and figs. 3 and 4, p. xvi. The lanes, or 

 gaps, support a sparse growth of scrub, and the ground is covered with herbaceous 

 plants, filmy ferns, lichens, and mosses. 



J 825 was sampled on the 29th November, 1907, to a depth of 1 ft., near sea- 

 level, on the Port Ross track, through dense rata {Metrosideros lucida) forest, the 

 predominant plants being rata, Dracophyllum longifolium, Cassinia Vauvilliersii, 



