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[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 20th August and 21st September, 1881, and 21st February, 1882.]
The present contribution to the Alpine Flora of New Zealand has been prepared from collections of plants made during Dr. Hector's geological visit to the Lake Districts of Otago in 1863–4, and more recently in the same districts including the mountains environing Lake Ohou, Canterbury, during Mr. McKay's geological visit there in 1881–2.
The first collection was submitted by Dr. Hector to Sir Joseph Hooker, for identification, and as many of the plants proved new to science they were added to the “Handbook of the New Zealand Flora,” then in the press. Unfortunately good specimens of this collection were not retained in the colony for comparison and identification of future collections, and all our more recent alpine collections have been worked out since from description alone.
The purpose of the present paper is not only to place upon record new species, but also to assist in naming them, by illustrations, those who take a popular interest in our beautiful Alpine flora; the spread of population towards the lake districts of the South Island having no doubt added greatly to the number of those who take advantage of their alpine neighbourhood to make collections. Many of our alpine plants are very beautiful when in flower, and when seen aggregated in close, often rounded masses, firmly adhering to rock surfaces in sheltered places of the mountains, where favourable conditions exist for their full development, they in many instances excel the gardener's art. It is doubtful, however, if they will prove a success under cultivation, as certain conditions of life necessary for their healthy development only exist at great altitudes. The nearest approach to these healthy conditions of growth would be found under glass with a warm temperature when growing and flowering, after which a long period of rest during winter under a low temperature would be necessary to prevent exhaustion.
The altitudinal range of the New Zealand alpine flowering plants extends from 3,500 to 8,000 feet, but there is reason to assume that, but for the presence of snow, they would attain a greater altitude. Latitude is no doubt an indefinite influence in plant distribution, being so much controlled by local influences that identical floras may be found on distant mountain ranges with botanical altitudes inverse to their latitudes. This may be
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caused by ocean currents of different temperatures impinging on opposite coast lines, or by local hot winds; but, whatever may be the influencing cause, representative plants of the North Island pass several degrees of latitude southwards on the west side of the South Island, which are not found on the east side of that Island, thus indicating a higher temperature on the west; and this is also consistent with the alpine flora of the North Island being found at higher altitudes on the mountains of the South Island than on those of the North.
The alpine flora as observed has a rapid development. This is no doubt necessitated by the short period which intervenes between the melting of the snows and the next seasonal fall. The intense heat of the sun at high altitudes, is no doubt an important element in hastening growth, but the chief cause must be ascribed in many cases to the advanced stage at which the plants have arrived before the melting of the snows in spring has uncovered them. Large plants such as Ranunculus buchanani were found 8–10 inches high, breaking through their snowy covering, with the leaves and flower-buds fully formed; no sooner, however, did the last film of snow melt from above them, than they burst into flower while the leaves were yet blanched and colourless, and it is probable that in favourable weather seed may ripen in a few weeks.
On the Mount Aspiring Range may be seen, covering patches of snow, that peculiar 1-celled plant—Protococcus, or red snow. This plant was observed by Captain Ross on one of his expeditions to the Arctic regions, covering the surface of the snow over large areas, and penetrating downwards several feet.