The second night we stopped at an empty hut at the junction of the south branch, fifteen miles from Chandler's. Near here we found good specimens of Hymenophyllum pulcherrimum and rufescens, Panax lineare, Olearia excorticata, and other more or less uncommon plants.

Continuing our journey the next morning, near the bridge were observed splendid specimens of Rubus parvus in fruit. This is a most striking plant, and little known. Both the leaf and fruit are very handsome; the flower I have not yet seen.

From the bridge to the saddle the track is steep. On the way several interesting plants were noticed, Cordyline indivisa being fairly plentiful. I fixed my camp in the redbirch on the saddle (3,300 ft.). From this point I despatched Mr. Bryant and the packer to a marl plateau at the head of the Mokihinui River, myself and Grant ascending Saddle Hill and Mount Nugget.

The timber is principally birch. Near the bush limit were fine specimens of Usnea barbata in fruit, whilst on the grass country above the bush we found a most beautiful display of sub-alpine flora, the Veronica macrantha and gentians being unusually luxuriant. Fostera tenella was also well in flower.

From the summit we obtained a view of a grand mountain, unsurveyed and unnamed, to the west of the Karamea River. On comparing notes with Mr. Bryant, I found the district visited by him had been found to surpass in its wealth of floral beauty that which I had visited: he described it as being one magnificent garden. Amongst other specimens he brought Veronica cheesemanii in flower, Celmisia lateralis, laricifolia, and sessiliflora, and fine specimens of Helichrysum grandiceps.

On the following morning a journey of several miles was made down the Karamea River, in which are some picturesque cascades. In a band of micaceous sandstone a number of fossils occur—Naticidœ, &c.—and curious spherical balls of various sizes.

Other hill-tops in the vicinity were visited, and on the return journey Mr. Bryant and myself camped on the banks of the Kiwi Creek, from whence visits were made to Mount Luna and Mount Patriarch. On the former there is a lake, as well as several tarns, and many interesting botanical specimens—Geum uniflorum and others. On Mount Patriarch Traversia baccharoides was plentiful; also Ozothamnus microphyllus, Veronica gilliesiana, and other sub-alpine shrubs and plants.

Just below the summit I found the shells of a mollusc—Flammulina thaisa. From its position it is evident the animal must pass at least seven or eight months of its existence under the snow.