258 DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS. 



next, Coffeaceai; two broad-leaved species of Piper seeming however 

 very generally diffused. In many places, the Freycinetia, in the form 

 of a decumbent shrub, almost exclusively constituted the undergrowth ; 

 besides inclining in long weak stems down steep declivities. 



As elsewhere in luxuriant forests, the ground between the stems 

 of the trees and shrubs, was chiefly occupied by a flourishing growth 

 of ferns ; here, however, in unusual variety. In the deep shade, large 

 ferns became more thinly scattered, and certain humble and tenderly- 

 herbaceous plants made their appearance: as, a DeHmocltceia ; two or 

 three (jrmuid Orchidacece ; a dentate-leaved Elatostema ; and even some 

 grasses, the Orthopogon, and gen. Poa-Uke. Again in the deep shade, 

 between the stems of all the above, the ground was coated with a 

 moist growth of diminutive Cryptogamous plants : consisting princi- 

 pally of intermingled Mosses and Hepatico;, and a moss-like Lycopo- 

 dium : the larger species of Fungi being by no means wanting. 



Openings devoid of trees and of considerable extent, were occasion- 

 ally met with : and were usually occupied by a dense bed of an Arno- 

 nmm ; three feet high, covering over, and almost excluding the sun 

 from the footpaths made by the natives. 



The crest of the Interior mountain-ridge, between Pupino Valley 

 and Lake Waihiria, proved the most productive botanical ground Ave 

 visited ; being, although extremely narrow, exposed to the sun. We 

 found growing upon it, Commersonia ec/iinata, Welnrnannia piarviflora, 

 an Alstouia, a Veratrum-like Ilainelinia?, Galmia sdicenoides, and 

 several singular epidendric Orchidacece and Ferns. 



Character and composition of the vegetable growth. There 

 seemed to be but two prevailing Families of plants : 



1. Fdices or Ferns. Dominant, as on other fertile ocean-islands; 

 and conspicuous in almost all situations, whether dry or moist ; not 

 only on the trunks and branches of trees, but on the ground in the 

 forest, and even throughout the open districts. 



2. UrtlcacecE. Next in order of frequency, and from their size, often 

 more prominent ; consisting chiefly of trees and shrubs ; but including 

 some herbaceous plants. 



The four following Tribes of plants were, however, of very frequent 

 occurrence: — Cofftacece, chiefly consisting of shrubs, some of them 

 arborescent, and one becoming a tree of medium size. — Myrtaceoe, the 

 Meirosideros abounding in somewhat elevated open situations. — Euphor- 

 hiacece, including one small tree and several shrubs. — And Orckidacece, 



