C.—ll

5

sidefos robusta). These wedges of rata, it may be remarked, occur on or in the vicinity of spurs formed by old flows of andesitic lava; and Hear Ohakune Station the rata abounds on the slopes between some small craters and the steep shell-limestone hill called Raetihi. In this locality, growing on an Ole.a lanceolata I found a solitary specimen of Pittosporum Kirkii, perched in the forks of the highest trees in this locality are frequently seen the epiphytic daisy shrub (Senecio Kirkii) which, when in full flower, looks like a mass of snow. The summits of the flat-topped hills Raetihi and Rongokoupa are clothed chiefly with Fuchsia excorticata, tawhero (Weinmannia racemosa) and broadleaf ((friselinia Kttoralis). Down the course of the Mangawhero River there is a considerable wedge of Fagus Solandri with some Fagus fusca and Fagus Menziesii. Around Ohakune and towards the Raetihi Township rimu is the prevailing large tree ; tawhero, matai, miro, black* and white maire are also abundant ; whilst white-pine (Podocarpus dacrydioides) is plentiful in the swampy parts. The accompanying undergrowth has several new accessions here : there is an increased quantity of Alseuosmia querdfolia ; Melicytus rwmvfiorus is fairly plentiful; (fahnia xanthocarpa is common, also Hoheria populnca var. lanceolata, Pennantia corymbosa, Paratrophis heterophylla, and tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa). Here alone in the region under description I found a solitary plant of the parasite Tupeia antarctica growing on Olea lanceolata. The ferns Asplenium Hookcrianum var. Colensoi and the orchid Adenochilus gracilis were also found in this locality. In the Ohakune locality, perhaps, a greater variation is to be expected, as the presence of several small craters proves that volcanic action has here been particularly great ; and when the original plant covering was destroyed the-new growth would be almost certain to contain some plants that were not formerly there. These craters are, features of considerable geological interest. They are not merely the small craters that are often formed when lava from a big volcano flows over a swampy piece of land, and the gas generated by the combustion of the underlying organic matter explodes, and forms a crateral hollow. The same convulsion which produced Ruapehu may have produced these craters ; but that they are otherwise unconnected with Ruapehu is. I'think, proved by the existence between them and Ruapehu of the Raetihi hill, which is composed of unaltered shell-limestone rock. From Ohakune to Rangataua there is practically no change from the last-described association of plants ; but beyond Rangataua to the end of the forest on the Karioi Plains the beeches have descended in full strength ; here, however, the black-beech (Fagus Solandri) is subordinate to Fagus fusca and Fagus Menziesii. Taxads are represented only by occasional rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum) and matai (Podocarpus spicatus). There is here little variation in the undergrowth; the beautiful lace-fern is not so plentiful, Lomaria. discolor, Lomaria Pattersoni, and Aspidium aculeatum var. vestitum sharing between themselves the ascendency. Coprosma rotundi/olia and Coprosma rhamnoides are common, and there is a greater, prevalence of the divaricating shrubs Myrsine divaricala, Panax anomalum, Elaeocarpus Hookerianus, and Aristotelia fruticosa ; the beautiful Cordyline indivisa is here, also, abundant. This beech forest continues uninterrupted for eight miles towards Ruapehu, giving out only on the appearance of Phyllocladus alpinus and Fagus cliffortioides. There is this, however, to be noticed : that on the lowest elevation Fagus Solandri predominates, on the next higher Fagus fusca, and then Fagus Menziesii, till the Fagus cliffortioides is reached at an altitude of about 3,600 ft. Why these plants should be found in the associations that they are found in can only be conjectured. As far as I have experienced, and from what lam informed by those who have a longer experience than lof the areas described, the climatic conditions all over are fairly similar. There is a heavy winter and spring rainfall over all the district; frosts in winter are severe ;| snow falls often ; and winds are, I believe, far less frequent here than in any other part of the Dominion : I have now spent in this district two summers and one spring, which are the windiest seasons in other parts of New Zealand, whilst here the usual condition has been one of comparative atmospheric tranquillity. That there should be a marked difference between the vegetation on the spurs and foothills of Ruapehu and that on a, plateau I,oooft. lower is easily comprehended: for in these cases, in addition to the marked difference in climate, there is also a great difference in soil-condition. On the slopes of Ruapehu the soil consists mostly of small particles of rock chemically little altered ; whereas on the plains the soil is generally a fine volcanic loam, which (though originally of the same composition as the other) has been more easily altered by the adtion of air and water, as the particles were finer. The "wedges of beech that penetrate the t'axad forest may be the result of a volcanic discharge of hot sand or lapilli which have destroyed the original plant covering ; the beech having succeeded as being the most suited to withstand the resulting exposed situation, and the (as yet) imperfect soil. A notable ieature, perhaps, of the district described is the number of plants with polymorphic characteristics. The photographs show specimens of the white hinau (Elaeocarpus Hookerianus), lancewood (Pseudopanax crassi folium), Panax arboreum, and Panax anomalum. Before obtaining its mature leaves, the white hinau bears three other forms of leaf ; sometimes all four forms are found together on young plants : but as a rule the leaves and habit of growth (very divaricating) of the young plant differ so much from the adult that many people, when told that the two plants are one and the same species, would be incredulous. Few, also, would recognise the very close relationship that there is between Panax arboreum, with its large, glossy, digitate leaves and open habit of growth, and the Panax anomalum, close-set, and with minute, lustreless leaves. I have already referred to the remarkable difference there is in appearance and habit of different specimens of Pittosporum rigidum. The lancewood is a tree so peculiar that most people have their attention attracted to it whenever they are in the bush ; but a complete stranger, seeing the young and the old tree for the first time, would find it difficult to believe they were identical in species. • A tree that is very plentiful in Waimarino forests is the tawhero, towai, or kamahi ( Weinmannia raccmosa) ; in fact, in many parts it is the dominant tree. It starts its life as a seedling in another tree that is decaying, and very often on a tree-fern. As it grows it sends down several aerial roots, which