64 
PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. IV, January, 1950 
Fig. 1. Sketch map of part of the Wangaparoa Peninsula at the proximal end. 
major formations which, as Stephenson 
(1939) suggests, have a very wide distribu- 
tion. These four major formations are: 
A. Littorina formation of the upper lit- 
toral. 
B. Barnacle formation of the mid littoral. 
C. Mixed algal formation of the lower 
littoral. This is a new nomenclature 
but the belt is to be found in many 
parts of the world. In Stephenson’s 
work it would include part of the 
lower barnacle zone and part of the 
sublittoral fringe. 
D. Sublittoral brown kelp formation 
(sublittoral fringe of Stephenson). It 
seems better to recognise at this level 
at least two formations, one dominated 
by large brown seaweeds (kelps) be- 
longing to the Laminariales or Fucales, 
and one dominated by green, red, and 
brown algae. The former is to be 
found in colder waters and the latter 
in warmer waters where coral will 
grow. 
The following is a description of the vari 
ous zones as they occur at Stanmore (see 
Fig. 2 ) . 
Littorina Formation 
1. Melaraphe-Lichina association 
The dominant species are Melaraphe oli- 
veri and Af. cincta, which are closely allied 
to Littorina, and the maritime lichen Lichina 
pygmaea. The Lichina occurs in patches and 
there is no complete vegetation cover. A 
number of other species are to be found in 
the association. Bostrychia arhuscula occurs 
in the lower part of the zone; in the upper 
part a blackish belt of Brachytrichia quoyi, 
Hydrocoleus lynghyaceus, and Entophysalis 
granulosa covers the rocks and boulders. Still 
higher on the boulders Calothrix scopulorum* 
and Entermorpha procera f. novae-zelandiae 
are to be found. This association is not to 
