ERRATA FOR * TANE? , Vol; 3, No* 1. 1950.

An unfortunate number of errors in last year's 'Tane' escaped notice in the haste of late preparation* Responsibility for them lies with no- Individual member, and it is hoped they have caused no incon• venienced A few obviously incorrect endings to specific names, in species lists9 have not been included in this list*

Page Line Correction

20 5k Haematoma Haematomma 21 1 Subcoriaceae Subcoriacea 2 Lepudinum Lapadinum 2k 18 Depanocladus Dr ep ano cla dus M Sextylosa Sexstylosa last Hedecarya Hedycara 25 17 Urtisa Urtica . 27 dxcortica excorticata 32 recurvatum recurvatum Col.* ko Ansurina . Anserina k3 Melicytis Melicytus k5 Filiforme Filifolium kS Leucopogen Leucopogon 60 Euprasia Euphrasia 26 18 (Forst i) (Forst*) Presl* 27 13 Lampocarus Lamp0carpus 19 Collospermum sp* 0. hastatum (Col.) Skottsb, k6 Colerata Colorata k6 Wintera Pseudowintera (J.R. & G.Forst.) Dandy. 28 25 Sextylosa Sexstylosa 37 Nerteroides Nerterioides 39 Exportica Excorticata M Erect Erecta hi 10 Imbirtus Imberbis 21 Mi cranthus Macranthus 30 Macrophylla Microphylla k& 16 After dissectum read var. glabraturn. 29 Dodonea Dodonaea k9 17 Haloragus Haloragis 1+8 Apocyanaceae Apocynaceae 50 11 - The Coprosmas acc. to Oliver 1935-. 29 Lagenphora Lagenophora 60 kk Strupurpurea Atropurpurea Gk 2 Nea; s Neaps 66 38 Glamyo Chiamys 67 if Bascanda Bascauda 12 Gmelin (Gmelin)- 68 ' 12 (Hutton) Hutton l+O (,Quoy and Gainnard) Quoy and Gainnard 69 Desmochoenus Desmoschoenus 70 6 Phylaecifolia Phylicaefolia 71 22 Diraniloma Dicranoloma 23 Hypopterigium Hypopterygium 76 26 Turnetella Turretella 81+ 33 Diptera Hemiptera 85 last Neoctamus Neoitamus CONTENTS

Editorial 2 Tane 3 Field dub Calendar 4 Lectures of the year 5 Olub Activities during the year. Lake Waikaremoana 12 Huia 1 4 Ooromandel 16 Stanmore Bay 17 Swanson 18 Russell 19 Field Work and Scientific Accounts Lake Waikaremoana The Freshwater Biology of Waikaremoana 20 Lichens of Lake Waikaremoana 20 Mossess and Liverworts of Waikaremoana 21 Vegetation of the Lake Waikaremoana Area 24 Waikaremoana Species List 26 Birds of Lake Waikaremoana 30 Insects from Lake Waikaremoana 33 Noises Islands The Vegetation of Otata Is,, Noises Is» Group 34 Noises Islands Species List 34 Bryophyta Species List 37 Bird Notes on the Noises Islands Trip 38 Algae Species List of Noises Islands, 38 Some Mollusca from the Noises Islands 39 Huia N The Vegetation of the Huia Region 43 Huia Species List 44 Ooromandel A Study of the Life of a Pebble Beach 31 Tide Pool Ecology 57 Survey of the Intertidal Region, Fletcher's Bay 63 Mollusca of Fletcher's Bay and Neighbourhood 66 Vegetation of North-East Ooromandel 69 Geology of North Ooromandel Peninsula 72 Stanmore Bay

Algal Survey of Stanmore Bay. 75

IIr.uraki. Gulf

iyrip'bn the Ikatcro« ?'6

An Introduction to tnc iinimal Plankton of the Auckland Region 77 Hydroids of the Auckland Region 80 Insect Records - 1950« 84

£ >js >Je »je if. $ >;« * vf. i\i >'f >l< '•>;• >'fi >l« *!« sic *i« >'fi EDITORIAL

This year an attempt has "been made to bring the Field Club publication up to the level of an efficient record of scientific work done by Club members. The previous volumes of Field dub Notes did very good pioneering work, and have encouraged us to take another large step in the direction of a University Club periodical, -which will satisfy the wants of undergraduate field -workers in the natural sciences. Many of the keener members of the dub are planning -work to Honours stage in Botany, Zoology or Geology, and all agree that practice in clarifying ideas, and planning a written account mil be of some value in their future University work. Added to this, is that from our camps, often we are able to reach areas little'known scientifically, where even the most elementary species listing is new and valuable. In fact, so little is known of natural populations of animals and plants in New Zealand that the definite'record of the presence or absence of a species is bound to be worth recording"; permanently. Little experience or training is required to do this, only a-careful regard for accuracy in identification. Accounts of a more descriptive nature, require more experience in observation and sound interpretation. This work Is not beyond advanced students who may find they have the field to themselves. Such work may be exemplified by annotated species lists of plants or animals for a res• tricted and defined area, descriptions of circumscribed vegetational types such as coastal bush,., swamp etc,, geological accounts and so forth. Some students, even in their first stage, find time to specialise on a small branch of one of their subjects. While fully aware of the danger of this work leading the un• suspecting student, fascinated, away from his syllabus work, we must admit that some of our most interesting articles this year have come from such specialists. Without them, accuracy in identification is often impossible in the. field. No one can bring everything back as specimens to go to the experts at the University or Museum for identification.

In connection with species records, one fault has made itself evident from previous field work done by the Club. Many lists have been made, lost,, and made again during later trips to the same area and then never published. Even if-it be said that the most important aspect of field work is the knowledge it gives to the worker himself, such repetition of previous work must be regarded as senseless when it occurs within one and the same club. lie have tried to. correct this by carefully going through previous records made by the Club before any old hunting ground was visited again this year. John Sumich's review of the Mollusc records from the Noises Is. made In 1934 and 1935, is an example of this work we are new doingc It will make future Mollusc collecting at; the Noises Is. more progressive- - new records being added and old records enlarged upon. It is hoped. that in this, way, it may be possible, to finally publish in a more widely circulated scientific journal, the virtually completed list with full ecological annotations.

Similarly all previous records have been included in the plant species lists, such sources of information being duly acknowledged. Future work on these should be accumulative, as many of them deal with areas near Auckland often revisited. When a survey of some importance was made, such-as that from.. Waikaremoana or Mt. Moehau, Coromandel, all previous records that could be found: were gone through and valuable information has been; brought together..

The above deals only with the scientific activities of the Club, but it must not be forgotten that the Club's main object is to provide outdoor recreation. The first part of 'Tane' has been devoted to accounts of the camps. Each has been written by a member present, -and these records give an essential description of Club life through the year.

Further Club activities have been a series of addresses. Inmost cases we have asked the speakers themselves to give a brief summary of their talks, thus ensuring that full justice be done to the subject matter of the lectures. For the trouble taken in these summaries we are most grateful, and feel sure of. their interest and value to. -. outside readers of 'Tane'. These contributions came from members of the staff of the Natural Science Departments, a research student and club members themselves. It, is hoped that these will stimulate interest in the work being done at the College, ; -. 3 -

In conclusion we wish to thank-the Club members who have worked so hard to make this year a success. But'especially we would like to thank those in the Club who have contributed articles to 'Tane. ' - as we had hoped, it has been- a work of. many, not just one or two, acknowledgement S.

The committee wish to acknowledge assistance given to the Club over the past year by many people. ' Thanks are due:

To Dr. W. R. B. Oliver', Dr. C. R. Laws, Mr. (J. O. K. Sainsbury, Mr. V. W. Lindauer, Mr. A. W, B. Powell Mr. E. G. Turbott, Mr. R.: Cooper, Mr. V. J. Cook, and. Mr. W. J. Butler for expert advice and identification of material.

To the Marine Fisheries Department, Captain Duthie and Mr. M. Cassie, for making available the research trawler 'Ikatere'.

To the Botany Department staff and especially Professor Chapman for the use of the department's facilities.

To two old Field Club members, Alex Corban and John Sumich, for their generosity and help.

To Mary Lokes, who'has given much of her own time in the preparation of 'Tane', the Club is especially indebted.

TANE

The choice of "Tane" as a name for'the Field Club's Magazine is most appropriate because of the rich background of natural history lore-relating to Tane, Authorities in referring to the departmental deities of the Maori con• sider Tane the most important, for he was the male parent of many natural, denizens of this world, including trees and birds. By many tribes he is re• garded as the originator of human life itself. '

Tane had the highest 'standing of any of the sons of the primal parents Rangi (the sky) and Papa (the earth), His control of the forest is noted in the numerous incantations (karakia) in. which he1 is addressed by name. A tree felled in order to fashion the hull of a war canoe was referred to symbolically as Tane*. 'Despite numerous other titles appended to his name, he was commonly referred. to in the abbreviated form and was known not only in New Zealand but also to many other Polynesian peoples. " Thus Tane -was known as a deity in Mangaia (Cook Islands), Tahiti and also in the Hawaiian Islands, where he was -referred to as Kane. In certain other groups, though demoted from spiritual control, he was regarded as a historic person of whom many heroic deeds were recorded. •' - Mr. V. F, Fisher, Auckland Museum. - 4 -

FIELD CLUB CALENDAR - 1 950

Dec. 30> 1949 - Jan, 3, 1950. Swanson Hut - New Year Camp.

Feb, 17-22, Huia - End of Christmas Vacation Camp,

March 9. Annual General Meeting.

March 26. Swanson Hut - working bee.

March 30, Presidential Address - "Peculiar? -hies of New Zealand Insects,M by Dr. I. E. Woodward.

April 2, Noises Is, - Excursion,

April 9-13, Huia - Easter Camp,

April 27i. "Opportunities in Field Zoology. " - Lecture by Mr. J. E. Morton.

•May 10, Swanson Hut - working bee,

May 15-23. Fletcher's Bay, Coromandel - May Vacation Camp,

June 8, "The Notornis Valley,, " - Lecture and 2 films by Mr. Turbott,

June 25, Rangitoto - Excursion.

June 29. "Interesting Plants and Animals of the United States.1 1 Lecture by Professor J. H. Davis,

June 30««July 2. Stanmore Bay, Whangaparoa Peninsula - Weekend Camp.

July 6-9, Swanson Hut - Mid-term break Gamp.

July 13. - "Maori Plant Lore, " - Lecture by Mr. V. F. Fisher,

July 27. "The Three King's Islands, " -Lecture by Mr. A. W. B, Powell,

August 3, FIELD CLUB NIGHT. T.. Lecture by "Alpine Vegetation in New Zealand. " - Fulton Fisher "Hydroids of New Zealand, " - R. G. Kulka. "Submarine Geology. " - G. T. Mackadam. Film - "The Waikaremoaners. " *- 2 selected shorts. August 13. Bethells, West Coast - Excursion,

August 18-25« Russell - August Vacation Camp in conjunction with the Botany Department, A. U. C.

(Arrangements are well in hand for holding After-Degree Camp this year at Whangaparapara, Great Barrier Is. ) LECTURES OF THE YEAR

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS; , 30th March,

INSECT ODDITIES IN. MM ZEALAND. - Dr. T. E. Woodward.

Peculiarities of the New Zealand insect fauna were considered, particularly in respect of problems of origin and distribution, the absence of certain groups, and the presence of certain primitive or annectent forms.

A striking characteristic is the total absence of many of, the fam• ilies, especially the 'higher' ones - the more recently evolved in their res• pective orders - which occur in Australia, the nearest large land mass and the one with the insect fauna most closely allied to our own. For example, following Tillyard's figures, of the 73 families of Coleoptera (beetles) rep• resented in Australia, 18 are entirely absent from N. Z. On the other hand, only one of the 56 families present in N. Z. does not occur in Australian Similarly, in the order Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) there arc 65- families in Australia and 36 in New Zealand, only one of them not recorded in Australia, and this a peculiar and primitive group to be discussed later.

New Zealand is particularly poor in butterflies, which arc a com• paratively recent evolutionary development from moth ancestors, parallelling the rise of the flowering plants. Their paucity, and the absence of'many.. ' of the more recently evolved families of other orders, is largely accounted, for by the complete separation of New Zealand from Australia since about. the. late Cretaceous or early Tertiary, The butterflies occurring inN«Z* fall into four main groups based on the time and mode of their arrival: (1) Widespread, strong-flying, migratory forms the Monarch (Danaida plexippusj and the Blue- moon (Hypolimnas bolina). (2) Those identical with or closely related to present-day Australian species, e. g., the Australian Painted. Lady (pyrameis cardui kershawi) and the Australian Admiral (P. itea). The N. Z. Red Admiral (P. gonerilla)~~probably became differentiated here from a species which mig• rated from Australia. The members of this genus are good fliers, and a few, assisted probably by wind, could occasionally have managed to cross the sea since the isolation of N. Z. Similarly, in the family Lycaenidae, the small blue, Zizina labradus, is found both in Australia and in the North Island and Nelson, while in the rest of the South Island its place is taken by the closely related Z. oxleyi. The Lycaenids5 though rather small, are rapid and active fliers, and many cases of mass migration are recorded. (3) Recently intro• duced by human agency (shipping; •- the white butterfly (Pieris rapae), (4) An interesting group of Antarctic origin: e. g., the alpine tussock butter- flics of-the family Nymphalidae (Argyrophenga and Erebia), entirely restricted to the South Island. These must have reached us from the south when N.. Z. was connected with this region about the early Tertiary. Examples from other order were given of groups indicating Australian, Melanesia!! and Antarctic affinities.

The long isolation of New- Zealand has resulted, not only in the ab• sence or poor representation of many of the higher insect families, but also in the survival here of several archaic groups. which have disappeared from all or most other parts of the world. For example, the Micropterygidae, an ex• tremely primitive family of tiny moths, showing close affinities with the Trichoptera (caddis flics), from which the Lepidoptera are considered to be derived is much better represented in this country than anywhere else. The allied family Mnesarchaeidae is found only in New Zealand. The Peloridiidae, an archaic and rather aberrant family of the suborder Homoptera, is restricted to a clear-cut Antarctic distribution - Patagonia, Tasmania and East Australia, and -New Zealand - living in very wet surroundings on or near the forest floor, typically in association with beech (Nothofagus). - 6 -

27th April. OPPORTUNITIES IN FIELD ZOOLOGY - Mr, J, E. Morton.

In generous response to a request for guidance in future field pro• jects Mr, Morton described several natural animal communities suited to such study* As he left soon afterwards for England for a period of research at Birkbeck College, Mr, Morton was unfortunately unable to give us a written account of his address himself. However, it is hoped that the following will do it justice.

Mr* Morton first gave a brief account of the history of field zoology pointing out that this study is almost British in origin as in it Britons were pioneers. He noted the fact that evolutionary studies had resulted in organisms being studied as a moans to an end and not as individuals. However, lately biological studies have risen in importance and good work is being done, much of it in England, Mr. Morton showed examples of recent papers as illustrations of the modern technique of presentation.

The study of animal communities is an immense one and as yet has barely been touched. Mr. Morton firmly believes that there are many studies that would repay Field Club's attention and having made this clear by numerous examples of research programmes that could be entered upon he proceeded to in• dicate a means of approach. His main objection with regard to our present organisation is the lack of sustained direction. Guidance for Field Club can• not come from within, that is from the students, as many of them can only be members for 3 or 4 years and if worthwhile work is to be done long term views are necessary. He suggests that a member of the University staff should take the position of director of activities, a person who could, by providing leader• ship, give the Club's work some sustained and unified purpose. A series of projects each of say 3 or. years length could be undertaken, direction for each being given by a specialist in the field under consideration. Such a study, he said, should be detailed and localised, each worker concerning him• self with a certain aspect of the whole work. Mr. Morton considers that the aim of final publication would be an all important stimulus to the work, pro• viding a goal towards which the efforts could be directed. However, he pointed out that Field Club should curb its ambitions to stop within its limits of time, finance and experience.

Having thus given us his views as to organisation, Mr, Morton cont• inued by outlining several exemplary studies in his own field of Marine Biology, He described the fauna of soft bottom areas of the Auckland sea-shore in brief; in this field in particular he is an expert. Later he showed sections of recent papers published in England on this subject, indicating their method of attack. Other communities he mentioned were those of the rocky shore and of ' wharf piles-; here he enlarged considerably on the latter, showing how pract• icable a study of it would be and giving examples of such studies. There are also many aspects of fresh-water biology and other fields of study.

Following the excellent address enthusiasm was high and Mr, Morton was looked upon to provide the subject matter for our first long-term project. In spite of his preparations for leaving Auckland he soon brought out a detailed plan of campaign for a study of the soft-bottom communities of Cheltenham beach complete with full references. This project was discussed at a meeting held the next day and Professor Chapman, who was present, suggested that, as research students in his department were engaged in work on algal ecology of rocky coasts of Auckland, work be directed towards understanding of animal communities in such an area, i. e. hard-bottom communities. This was agreed upon as a good suggestion, and Mr. Morton's proposition that Milford reef be the one studied was also accepted. Soon afterwards Mr. Morton produced another typed set of directions for such a project and a party Visited the reef, becoming acquainted with its locality. Since Mr. Morton's departure another visit has been paid to the reef and a more detailed inspection carried out. His original plan has been modified somewhat by Miss Dellow's suggestion that the survey be more gen• eral and extensive to include the coast from Milford reef to Takapuna beach. It is proposed that several traverses be laid down and the results will be cor• related with exposure differences along the mile of rocky coast involved. It has been proposed that the different members of the Club specialise, each taking as his responsibility a single group of animals or plants. In connection with - 7 -

identification Mr. A. W. B. Powell of the Auckland Museum has generously offered all the help he can give, including an as yet unopened collection of sponges from Rangitoto fully named by the British Museum.

However, the work on the Milford project will unfortunately have to wait a few months until the period of degree examinations is over. Then it is hoped the traverses will be laid down and collection begun in earnest,

*. * 8th June, THE NOTORNIS VALLEY -Mr* E. G. Turbott, Auckland Museum,

The valley west of Lake Te Anau in which Dr. G. B. Orbell re-discovered Notornis in November, 1948, has now been visited by several expeditions, which have been carefully planned in order to record the birds' life history and habits at all times of the year. An important aim of these investigations has been to discover as far as possible whether the prospect is good or bad for the future, and to answer at least some of the questions which arise out of the measures taken to safeguard the colony.

The films shown were taken on two of these visits, the first by Dr. R. A. Fall a in December, and the second my film in August, 1949. & remarkable contrast is thus shown between the summer scene during the nesting season in December, and my visit in the depths of winter.

The. Notornis colony is situated in a hanging valley some 2000 feet above the level of Te Anau. The basin of the Valley is occupied by a small lake, the shores of which are surrounded by a gently sloping expanse of snow- grass Danthonia flavescens) broken at intervals by patches of colourful sub- alpine scrub. Above this the steeper slopes of the valley walls are clothed in beech forest, leading at higher levels again to the bare crests.

In summer the birds live mainly in the open snow-grass. It was observed at an early stage that the snow-grass itself and associated herbaceous . plants-, provide the main food supply of Notornis, and large quantities of this tough if nutritious material are evidently required for a sufficient diet. A characteristic litter on the ground marks the spots where Notornis have been feeding, the birds having pulled up the tussock and sedge in order to nip off the succulent leaf bases. It is also of interest that Notornis droppings are such conspicuous objects, clearly indicating the presence of the birds and marking the location of the nest site. These are cylindrical, measuring g- inch in diameter and up to six inches in length; and consist of a tightly compressed mass of undigested fibrous material.

The birds undoubtedly prefer the drier parts of the Valley, and the nests found on visits in December and January were situated beneath the shelter of the tussock on these same well drained snow-grass slopes. Observations during the breeding season so far include records of nests, eggs, chicks and half-grown young. One general impression is that the survival rate after the breeding season is comparatively low, although it is impossible to say whether this should cause concern as to the population level of the colony.

An important aspect of the investigation is that some evidence has been obtained of depredations by stoats and deer, the former being liable to attack eggs and chicks, and the deer to crush eggs or chicks in the nest in feeding on the tussock area. The control measures with respect to these ani• mals undertaken by the Department of Internal Affairs must be regarded as of considerable importance.

Turning to the winter expedition, I accompanied two officers of the Wild Life Branch, Department of Internal affairs, to the Valley in August, 1949. The film shows the bleak weather conditions prevailing in winter, the effect of the constant snowfalls which are normal in this mountain country being acc• entuated by the westerly aspect of the Valley. The lake was heavily frozen over, and the tussock on the site of the. summer nesting colony was deeply covered. - 8 -

The "birds would evidently have been unable to obtain sufficient food in the Valley, although there wore traces of attempts by the few which remained to tear up tussock partially exposed during the periods of thaw.

There was some evidence of the presence of Notornis in the forests surrounding the Valley, where they might feed on the mosses of the forest floor, and possibly to a certain extent on animal material. Under these conditions, however, there was little opportunity of exploring far into the forest. Other• wise it was evident enough that the summer population must disperse to some neighbouring area in winter; and it is perhaps significant that the earlier specimens, especially that captured on the shore of Lake Te Anau on 7th August, 1898, were found at much lower levels.

Visits were also made on this expedition to an adjacent valley, 1000 feet lover, where Notornis has been discovered during the previous Jan• uary. Here conditions were milder, with less snow lying on the ground. Our observations here indicated that the small population of Notornis observed in January probably remain during the winter*

(it may be worth mentioning that a record number attended this lecture - over 100 being present. )

29th June. INTERESTING- PLANTS AND ANIMALS OF THE UNITED STATES.

- Professor J. H, Davis, visiting Fulbright Professor of Botany from Florida University, U. S. A,

This was an entertaining and highly informative address in which the Professor introduced us to the wild life of America,,

13th July.

MAORI PLANT LORE - V. F. Fisher, Ethnologist, Auckland Museum,

The Maori was a keen naturalist. and his knowledge of and interest in the forest is well illustrated in the numerous references to. plants in songs-, place names and proverbial sayings as well as the many practical purposes for which the products of the forest were employed. Tane was the departmental deity on control of forests and his name occurs, often with additional titles, in many incantations. On special trees personal names were bestowed, such as Hine-hopu, a matai on Hongi's track (between Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoehu), and Te Potiki-o-te-Ropu, a totara planted on the occasion of a gathering on Mt. Eden in 1927*

Of frequent occurrence on maps is the place name - taumata, which is usually applied to a-resting place on a ridge, thus giving rise to such names as Taumata-tutu, Taumata-totara, Taumata-mahoe.

Amongst forest trees the totara was the most highly prized, the trunk being fashioned into the hull of a war canoe often 80 feet in length, and the timber utilised for decorative doorway lintels and carvings generally, Esentially a "rakau rangatira" (a tree chieftain), it was emblematical of chieftainship and authority. An eminent person in a tribe was often designated as "a descendant of heart totara" and no greater compliment could be applied. The bark of the 'totara was manufactured into containers for holding preserved birds. Likewise the bark of the tanekaha was used for a similar purpose, and the tanekaha saplings "were valued as fishing rods and canoe masts, while the young branches radiating from the parent trunk were exploited to provide a spreader for fish hooks. The - 9 -

kauri provided timber for canoes and the gum (kapia) when soft was chewed and in a semi-fossilised form burnt to provide, when mixed with soot and other mat• erials, a pigment used, for tattooing. Oil was expressed from titoki berries and the timber provided suitable wood for adze handles.

Although the flax supplied a fibre most commonly used the cabbage tree (ti-kouka) leaves provided a fibre which was specially prized for anchor ropes and fishing lines, while the leaves were used for sandals, baskets, cloaks and snaring loops. A famous cabbage tree known as Te Ti Tutahi, formerly grew at Newmarket, but it was destroyed in recent years to make way for roading improvements. At the base of this ti travellers used to deposit a spray of leaves.

Ferns were not neglected for the stems of the springy mangemange provided suitable material for making eel traps (Hinaki) and long lengths twisted together were used for lashing. Young uncurled fronds of the mauku were eaten and the fronds were of ceremonial importance at the felling of a tree for any special use. The white undersurface of the ponga tree fern fronds served as a good trail marker when exploring heavily forested areas. From the upper part of the interior of the trunk of the black tree fern (mamaku) a soft substance free from stringy fibres was made edible by steaming in the earth oven (hangi).

In addition to the four main cultivated food crops, the kumara, taro, hue and, yam (uwhi), many small fruits obtained in season from the forest were eaten,. Fruits sought for included tawa, taraire, rnaire-tawhaki, tata- ramoa, konini, poroporo. From the hinau fruit a mealy substance was freed from the skin and stones by pounding and then worked into a cake and steamed* The fleshy exterior of the karaka could be eaten with impunity, but the poisonous properties of the kernel were removed by prolonged steaming in the earth oven-,

27th July.

THE THREE KINGS ISLANDS

- A. B. W. Powell, Assistant Director and Zoologist, Auckland Museum.

Mr, A. B. W. Powell gave an interesting lecture on the above subject subject during the second term. He spoke first of the location of the islands which are forty miles north-west of Gape Maria van Dieman. The group was discovered by Tasman in 1643* and consists mainly of four large islands i Great Island; South West Island; West Island; and Worth East Island. At the time Tasman visited the islands they were inhabited by the remnants of the Ngapuhi tribe. This occupation lasted for three and a half centuries and. had an important influence on the vegetation. The islands have been unin• habited since 1840,

Various explorers have since visited the group, the first scientific investigation being by Cheeseman in 1879. Several new plant species were identified, and important large land snails were discovered there. The islands were purchased by the Crown from the Maoris' in 1908, and declared a sanctuary in 1930.

Several deep water dredging expeditions have been made to the loc• ality, and new species and genera have been discovered. Difficulties due to weather and. the inhospitable shore-line have been experienced by parties in- tending to land on the islands. The ravages of goats have reduced the number of rare endemic species growing there. However, many new species have been found, including species of Pittosporum, Brachyglottis and Suttonia.

A new sub-group of bellbirds was found on the islands by Dr. Falla in 1934? and in 1948 Mr. Peter Bull found breeding places of the rare Kermadec Petrel, - 10 -

. The goats were completely exterminated in 194-6 by an expedition org• anised by the Wild Life Department which spent five or six weeks on the islands. Mr, Turbott marked out quadrats which will be Useful in noting regeneration* This has been remarkable since 1946. Species of Carex have grown. waist-high, and Meryta Sinclairii is regenerating after being almost exterminated* The Three Kings Islands should provide over the years an interesting study in the rehabilitation of native vegetation in a community which has suffered severe Setbacks due to human agency.

3rd August* FIELD CLUB NIGHT

As usual, this event provided an opportunity for some Field Club members to give lectures to the club on their particular interests. This year three talks were given, one on Submarine Geology by G, T. Mackadam, an advanced Geology student, another by a first-year student, Dick Kulka, on Hydroids, and a third by a research student in the Botany Department, Mr* Fulton Fisher, who gave an account of Alpine Vegetation in New Zealand,

Mr. Mackadam's talk was illustrated with plates from many modern papers on the geology of the ocean floors. Some of the recent researches carried out during the war mapping the Atlantic Ocean floor were used as examples of the modern methods.

In Hydroids Mr. Kulka had a group of animals of great beauty to describe and some valuable old books on the subject were presented for the audience to inspect. The address was illustrated by plates from several books and by Mr, Kulka's drawings of some local hydroids. Some of the material of the talk is Contained in the article on "Hydroids of the Auckland Region" in this volume of Tane,

Mr. Fisher has kindly consented to give us an account of his talk in some detail. It is felt that this will be of use to Field Club members when they visit sub-alpine areas in the future.

ALPINE PLANTS OF » ZEALAND - Fulton Fisher,

Of course everyone realises that as in most tilings of value any• thing referring to New Zealand is really referring to the South Island*, This is especially true for Alpine plants where 80% of New Zealand's' high mountain plants are confined to the South Island, Only 6fd are so confined to the North.

Anyone looking at mountainous areas across several miles of lowland country might easily imagine that snow-clad rocky heights would be very-inhos• pitable for life of any kind and that plants, if any, would be relatively few. Nothing could be less true for New Zealand anyway, for there-. are many more- kinds of plants found in the high mountains than in the lowlands* About 600 are confined9 or almost confined, to the mountains; about 520 strictly con• fined to the lowlands, and about 350 are found in both.

In any journey from low levels up a mountainside one notices most of all signs of increasing exposure to wind and cold, the plants becoming smaller and smaller and covering less and less of the ground until at the highest levels, where plant life can be found, only sheltered crevices in the rocks remain suitable for habitation.

Lowland forest is probably the type, of vegetation most familiar to members of the club so that a hypothetical journey up a mountain might best begin there. In the higher levels of such forest, at about 3000', certain in• dicator species appear which are never found at lower levels. Cordyline in- divisa is a notable one often seen in the North Island while various species of Olearia and tree Senecios are also common. "When conditions further on become too harsh for these, a belt of sub-alpine scrub appears, this usually being re-

* The author is a graduate from Canterbury University College - Ed, -11 -

garded as the "beginning of the alpine zone ~ about 3500 Dracophyllum species t Leptospermum and Discaria are common components. Above such a zone tussock grassland is found, in the lower parts consisting of shorter forms which are displaced at about 4000' by a sharply marked boundary of the Snowgrass - Danthonia.. raoulia. In these grassland zones small herbs occupy the ground between the tussocks, e»g, Gentiana, Anisotome or Chrysobactron, the Maori Onion,

At about 5000' even the snowgrass is unable to hold out against the wind, snow and cold, and the ground is covered by very short, closely packed plants which constitute the Herbfield. In sheltered places large Ranunculi may be found. R, lyallii in the South Island and B. insignis or R, nivicola in the North* Cushions of Celmisia sp« are often dominant at this level, a genus almost wholly endemic to New Zealand,

The herbfield form of vegetation may be found up to 60001, where the amount of soil between the stones reduces the amount of vegetation to small clumps. At this level one finds such plants as the New Zealand Edelweiss (Leucogenes sp, ) and Cotula Such scattered vegetation gradually merges at higher levels into rock vegetation, where only a few crevices provide enough soil and shelter for growth. Such rock plants include Anisotome pilifera and Raoulia grandiflora.

Throughout such a series of zones may be found the closely adapted scree plants growing only upon the streams of unstable rooky fragments which have accumulated upon steep slopes. Such plants as Ranunculus haastii, Epilobium pyenostaohyum^ Lobelia roughii and others are found "in this" situation, all of them possessing enormous root systems and small fleshy shoots*

Such a picture as the above is very generalised but should serve to show what kind of situations, and what kind of plants growing in them, may be found upon the highly mountains of the South Island, Rock crevices

6000' Tall Snowgrass

Short Tussock

^4000' Average Winter Snowline, Forest 3500;

6000

MOUNTAIN VEGETATION Diagram of the kind of plants met with in ascending a mountain. Above •« gently sloping stable mountainside, Right — steeper, scree slope of the kind found on Eastern Canterbury Mountains. - 12 -

CLUB ACTIVITIES DURING THE YEAR

AFTER -DEGREE CAMP - 194-9 LAKE WAIKAREMOANA Nov. 14th - 23rd.

Lake Waikaremoana was a new venture in the way of a Field Club After-Degree camp. This was an ambitious undertaking hut was well justified by the record number. of 40 attending.

The main party assembled at the University early on Monday morning (14th). A bus was hired from the Auckland Bus Co. and throughout the holiday it proudly bore the destination sign "Cemetery Gates". Our driver, Bill Bickley, was most obliging in every way, taking us out on trips -and bearing up well under all our misdemeanors - which at times must have been rather a trial. Gear, girls and guys were all piled aboard indiscriminately and we were on our way by 7»30 a. m. Lunch at Rotorua reinforced us physically for the long grind over the Urewera Country,. although parts of the steeply winding road were an obvious strain on the mentality of the majority. Near 5 p. m. the welcome sight of the lake evoked cries of rapture from those who were not too stiff to move to the windows and thoughts of dinner and bed from those who were. The advance party of eight., which had left by the Herald bus in the early hours of that morning, were there to meet us and offer us a typical F. C, meal which rendered at least one person sleepless that night. Accommo• dation at the motor camp was good, consisting of ten cabins each holding four people plus an odd tent for the keener types. Monday night was our last early night for ten days,

Tuesday.. We awoke to a heavenly day, sunny and calm, but burnt porridge for breakfast soon brought us down to earth sufficiently to set about the prosaic business of tramping, The organised trip for the day was to Ngamoko Trig Station on a leading ridge behind, the Lake House. The sign-post gave the distance as 2-g- miles - if we'd been crows We might have agreed. The route is by a blazed trail through the beech forest. From a saddle about half-way to the Trig there is a splendid view of southern Hawke's Bay, From the Trig at 3, 644 ft. a magnificent panorama of the surrounding country could be seen. This extends from Mahia peninsula in northern Hawke's Bay across a huge area of treeless and eroded farming country to the heavily forested ranges round.; Lake Waikare-iti, while to the south lay Lake Waikaremoana with-, the mountains beyond, and Panekirikiri Bluff rising sheer from the lake. It was, a stiff climb but the triumph of having got their compensated for the trouble in getting, and by the time we'd admired the view, taken photographs,, left auto graphs in the traditional bottle and eaten enormous quantities of bread and cheese, we were quite recuperated and made short work of the return to: camp,. After tea we adjourned to the camp hall where Neil Butler was. given a party in honour of his 21st. After the toast and a delicious cake (supplied by Neil) the evening passed'in a riot of dancing, singing, "Stripping the Willow" and general confusion punctuated spasmodically by suppers and eventually fading out with a game of 1winks1. That night 3 hardy souls slept under the stars.

Wednesday. This was a free day - everyone wandered around following their own particular interests (unspecified), A few boats want out on the lake, manned by gallant gentlemen, but at least one returned under the capable hands of a female. Another party went off to the Aniwaniwa falls - a splendid series of falls, on the lower Aniwaniwa Stream. In the afternoon the Ranger took half a dozen bods on an interesting trip around the Lake to the Mokau Falls on the back of his truck, one of the party returning complete with a black eye inflicted by an indignant bird. That evening the rear guard of the party arrived, including Dr. Godley who received a somewhat warmer welcome than he'd expected. The evening passed in another uproar of songs, games, dancing and suppers*

Thursday. The weather was wet and dull but spirits remained high. More people ventured out in the boats to improve, or in most cases to acquire, some muscle, - 13 -

while others wandered off in various directions with specimen bags and that botanical look in their eyes. After lunch Bill collected up any willing people into his bus and took us around to the Kaitawa Power station, built in 1947, the highest and first hydro-electric station in. the chain of three that draws water from the lake. On the way back we watched in open-mouthed amazement ' while a diver was hauled out of the lake, and after much shedding of parapher• nalia turned out to be an ordinary, average sized, male human being. Lake House had pictures on that evening but the projector broke down at the first onslaught of the villain and the 30 odd bods returned to camp, piled 3 deep into one cabin, lit a fire, hauled out the food and the gossip, thus filling in the evening and themselves. Those who hadn't gone to the pictures spent a hilarious evening "Colwynising" (with apologies to Professor Spooner), inadvertently setting a kapok mattress on fire and consuming mugs of an unidentifiable, evil tasting liquid believed to be endemic to Field Club,

Friday, Old "Cemetery Gates" was called into action to-day and every one bowled off to Lake Waikare-iti, a satellite lakelet to the north, at an elevation of about 500 ft. higher than Waikaremoana. This lake was somewhat warmer than Waikaremoana (perhaps it was just psychological) so more people ventured in swimming than had done previously. Mr, Frank Smith, the launch skippers- took some of the party around in the outboard dinghy to Te Kooti's altar * a "blood-stained" rock - the blood stains proving to be an encrusting red alga, a species of Porphyridium. Something had gone wrong with the lunch arrangements that day so it was a very hungry party which finally arrived back at camp only to find that the meat ordered for tea hadn't arrived] However bacon stew and "onions went down very well except with the sobbing onion peeler. After tea pictures were on again at Lake House so the majority went off once again while the remainder soothed themselves into a fit state for nightmares with a book of Edgar Allan Poe.

Saturday. This was the highlight of the trip. The weather was perfect and the whole day was spent on the Lake on the launch loaded well below the plimsoll line and positively bulging at the seams. The trip took us round the northern shores of the lake and through the Narrows to the land-looked arm of Wairau-moana, which forms the southern end. of the Lake. Here we disembarked and had lunch and then continued on to another stop directly under Panekirikiri Bluff. From here, extremely sunburnt and hungry, we returned to camp where a surprise awaited us. We not only got dinner - we got dumplings. 'I A never-to-be-forgotten delicacy henceforth, along with flapjacks, banished forever from Field Club menu. We don't take our iron constitution too literally. After adjourning to the hall the excitement of the evening was much heightened by the appearance of a rather substantial looking "ghost" at the window - still unexplained - although Toffee and Ross were notably absent.

Sunday.

"Cemetery Gates" once again saved our wearying feet on a drive round the Waikaremoana power station system where we investigated the intricacies of "what makes it work". After lunch beside the Lake those who could take it set off up the Panekirikiri Bluff by a route involving a steady climb through Rimu- Beech forest. Only two reached the summit (over 4000')> where an element of alpine vegetation was found, and these returned to camp with heads visibly swollen by their achievement.

After tea a huge bon-fire, built up during the day at the Lake's edge, was' lit and everyone gathered around for a sing-song and a barbecue which lasted . well after midnight. Three conclusions were drawn that night: (1) its mighty cold swimming in Lake Waikaremoana at 11 o'clock at night; (2) the only way to get into a sleeping bag is feet first; (3)- the glow-worms around these parts evi• dently stop work at mid-night. It is thought that these might be some help on future F. C. trips to this area.

Monday. The whole party was beginning to look as though it had been having as hectic a holiday as they actually had and the queue" for breakfast, wasn't quite as long as usual. However three boats went out on the lake rowing - with the - 14 - males obviously weakening. The greatest excitement of the day was caused by John Sumich and Jim Wadham who came wandering laconically down from the direction of Lake House with the information that exam, results were out. With a concerted roar half a dozen worried minds set their legs into action and ran frantically up to the House to have a look at the paper. Twenty minutes later they returned with ominous faces and unrestrained indignation to find that the two informers had slunk quietly away until the storm had blown over - the exam, results were there alright, but they were for Victoria College. ' After tea everyone dressed up as respectably as was possible (some of the boys even had ties) and rode in state up to Lake House where the manager, Mr, Scott, had kindly lent us his Hall for a dance which was a noisy success.

Tuesday. A free day and a very wet one. However there was still a little energy left - in a minority - who continued their collecting, while the remainder hardly had the power to get out of bed. On Tuesday night a farewell concert was held in the camp hall - Field Club talent is amazing in its range, both vertically and horizontally. Even Toffee proved to have quite a poetic strain in his nature. A mock-court was held but would much rather be forgotten by all those incriminated, especially the "judges" who were the instigators of the gravest felony of all - the exam, results scare.

Wednesday, Up at 5 a, m, to clean up the cabins preparatory to breaking up camp. Some continued their journey southwards while the majority returned to Auckland in a more or less comatose state depending on the amount of sleep they hadn't had.

All who attended will agree that Waikaremoana was a great success and our thanks are due to Field Club's 1949 Secretary, Neil Butler, for his excellent organisation of the camp. Lake Waikaremoana should be included in the future places for a Field Club After-Degree Camp.

- George Mason and Mary Lokes*

if if $ if if if if if if if if if.

NEW YEAR CAMP - SWANSON HUT. Dec. 30th - Jan. 3rd.

The week-end at Swanson over New Year proved such a bedlam that no-one wishes to claim authorship to an account of its happenings in case they are accused of having been there. Consequently it remains a blank..

EASTER CAMP - HUIA. April 9th - 13th,

Field Club decided to hold its Easter Camp at Huia this year, since this is an interesting locality not well known to the majority. of the Club's members. As 25 people were attending a special bus had to be hired and we left for Huia on Sunday morning complete with large quantities of luggage. Sunday afternoon was spent in arranging stores at the hut, cutting bracken for outdoor beds - or pinching it from someone else who had, swimming in the frigid Huia stream and collecting algae, mosses, lichens, insects, molluscs and even some higher plants.

We spent Monday on a fairly easy trip up the Karamatura, coming down from Nuggets Lookout to Huia dam. This night we retired fairly early in pre• paration for the long tramp to Karekare on Tuesday, but our good intentions were foiled by a mysterious astronomical phenomenon - flying sausages.

On Tuesday morning rain seemed likely and some decided to stay at the hut while the others made the two-day trip to Karekare and Whatipu. Those who stayed at Huia made the tramp up Christie's Track on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, which was wet in Huia, was. highlighted by an ice-cream eating competition lead by John Commons, ~ 15 ~

The rest of the party made the trip to Karekare in fairly good time, stopping for lunch at Odlen's farm and arriving at our destination at about. 3»30 p. m. The most strenuous part of the trip, agreed on unanimously, was the steep climb from Huia dam to Nuggets Lookout. At Karekare we had an ex• cellent camping site, and though there was some rain during the night, most of us managed to keep dry*

On Wednesday morning we had a swim in the breakers and then walked round the coast from Karekare to Whatipu, stopping for lunch at Pararaha. On the way we collected algae and molluscs and noted that the rook pools were much more colourful than those on the East Coast. The rearguard of the party making the trip arrived back at the Huia hut late that night, completely exhausted.

On Thursday morning we were honoured by a visit from Dr. Woodward, Mr, Puller, Mr, Morton and Mr. Thornton, from the Zoology Department, but were unfortunate in that we had to leave for town too early to be able to take ad• vantage of their assistance in the sphere of collecting small animals, as we had originally planned.

On arrival back in Auckland those who could still stand a little more had an immediate "re union" by taking ourselves, boots and all, to the pictures to see "Whisky Galore" - a fitting conclusion to a very enjoyable holiday.

- June Neville.

SWANSON HUT- WORKING., May 10th.

Several of the Field Club members devoted a day of their May Vacation to an effort to finish the project already started on March 26th, i. e. improving the Swanson Hut.

In March a whole week-end had been spent on it, the boys painting the roof - generally getting themselves rather green in the process, and creasoting the walls, apart from the space occupied by the bee-hive, which, in deference to the bees, they politely left untouched.

The girls, armed with needles, cotton, thimbles and plenty of spirit, attacked the mattresses, patching even the tiniest hole in every mattress. A suggestion was even made that we actually make curtains for the windows, but with exams, coming relentlessly nearer such projects have had to be shelved for the time being.

However, the day was well spent and Field Club is proud of its efforts - the hut looks almost like new again, or rather it did before Mid-- term Break anyway. Even Digulater appears to have been somewhat disconcerted by the change and his appearances since have been much less "spirited". - 16 -

MAY VACATION CAMP - FLETCHER'S BAY, N. -E. COROMANDEL.

15th-23rcl. May.

Monday. Twenty-three Field Club members left the Northern Wharf on hoard the 'good' ship S. S. Onewa at 1 p. m, on Monday, 15th May. Crossing the Hauraki Gulf there was a fairly heavy northerly swell and the boat rolled and pitched and several typos heaved while others spent their time balancing at odd angles to the perpendicular studying dolphins.

We berthed at Coromandel Wharf at dusk, where a bus was waiting to take us to the night's billet—the local church hall - cum dance hall - cum picture theatre. Those rostered for tea duty had a holiday as everyone dined at the local fish and chippery.

Tuesday. Our cream lorry arrived at 8 a. m. on Tuesday and we all packed in. With the addition of one hitch-hiker from Auckland, imagine 24 bods, plus the driver and a week's food and gear in a truck of tare weight 2l tonsI The first part of the journey was good, but after leaving Colville, the road rapidly det• eriorated, and was often merely a muddy track winding around the cliffs. The truck stuck. ' The truck became unstuck. * Eventually we could not go much further than Cape Colville, so it was necessary to tramp the rest of the way to Fletcher's Bay in pouring rain. The heavier gear was' kindly picked up by Mr. Jackson's Land Rover "Mildred".

Field Club was soon settled into the shearer's hut and the woolshed, '.. -here most comfortable (?) beds were laid out on sacks of superphosphate.

Wednesday. Some looked for a site for a marine traverse while others looked for suitable spots for pool ecology. (A. colony of shags was nesting in a pohutukawa tree overlooking the main traverse. Look out below, ') Other hardy types went swimming, and- that night, eight members forsook the phosphate for a pine plantation.

Thursday. Several keen types began tide watching, starting at 7^. 30. a. m. Before low tide, the work on the traverse and pools was begun,. but heavy rain came on early in the afternoon, preventing much more work. -'The rain continued all afternoon and most of the evening, but that was all Fletcher's/Bay exper• ienced of the famous Port Charle's cloudburst. Toffee Mackadam and Rewi Moynihan went off this day to Mb. Moehau and spent the night at the summit, out in the deluge.

Friday. Those who were not interested in marine biology tramped about the hills behind Fletcher's Bay while the 'workers' continued their scientific act• ivities. (Studies of marine species were carried on far into the night in face

of much abuse. )( After a lunch of salty soup, a second party of five males left for the assault on Mt. Te Moehau - 3000 ft. After climbing through low cloud on the hills behind our base camp, the mist cleared and the serious erosion following the cloudburst at Stony Bay was disclosed to us. A series of photographs wore taken, recording the damage. After fording the swollen stream, afternoon tea was kindly provided by the Bronlunds, where we heard of their [previous night's ordeal. A wonderful night's rest was had up in the bush, our sacks being laid out on punga fronds,

Saturday. The Moehauians awoke to a magnificent sunrise in the direction of the Great Barrier, Wo were away by 9 a. m. and the sub alpine scrub was reached by noon. To our disappointment the mist had descended, by the time the summit was reached and only an occasional glimpse was had of the coast - down towards Coromandel and once out to the Little Barrier. After lunch we crossed to the windswept peek, Little Moehau, where specimens were frantically collected of its most unusual alpine vegetation. Moehau was left at 3 p. m. and a quick descent of our former route enabled us to reach the Bronlund's homestead by 5. 30 p. m. After a cup of tea, the long grind home round the 7 mile coastal track in driving rain and darkness began. Even distant Mokahinau light was blotted out at times by the rain squalls. Near 10 p. m. wo were mighty glad to see the lights at base camp -where it was revealed to us that our coastal 'road' over which we had just stumbled (blissfully ignorant) had almost been washed out and was little better than a goat track. I party that day had also been to Stony Bay, and discovered much of the road had. been washed into the sea. - 17 -

At "base camp news had arrived during the day about the cloudlburst it Port Charles and many hoped that the Coromandel road, was blocked so that we could not go heme. However, only the telephone lines were down. Traversing pooling continued with (un)civil war being waged between travorsists and oolists. The fish, which had been biting so well before, had now disappeared because tit all the mud coming up the coast from Port Charles and Stony Bay,

1 iffi»-.,ty .;ri ; 4, BKiall party left for Jackson a Bay where arrangements were made 'or ota? fti$&m tSfip next day. The party wandered over the. sand dunes to the ille loUg le&oh which sweeps £ouhd the bay in a semi-circle. This beach is no of the most perfect to be aeon. They oohtinued on to Cape Oolvillo point ihplfc. home #ver the hills.

Bf.nWf the. sfcseieU lists tfam well on the way to. completion,1 m and at a on the; foots and waver s@a brought together. Packing and .sortSnJ our par wag' sta#t©d.,, as1 it was planned to loavo at 7 a.ui, next morning* fey. The dtapos :pftHt$P wore up at 5 &*m.» while the others yawned for mtik&v five miaautes. Improyoment in the weather conditions enabled our truck i 0'* tfOttD•jp :e0M>. down to Fieteher^s Bay, and departure time was 7*15 o*ra# After tô©t&$r 'IteÊ^»13&£tfing journey, Ooromandel was reached at 11 a»m. There was $e- of gear from the truck to tho old Onewa. The. journey home pa*sant, wit ftra

•ended another exciting £iôld Olub camp, - Heather' 1&&ptm* ..•

• ' v $ # t'i # *p- ¥' * n? V- * 4* * # 'H4 if *

MEfflW- EXQS&SION, June: 25 th, ' ii ~i~rin » liminiiiliiiiinii i A asBcord number o# abo&t 50 mombors made this excursion which was ?ldi'invGonJHBa.Gtion with tho Botany Department and [provided, mgch enjoyment., ^fe'te-môii^&n'. a littJt-o. eiftiĀ#frfrti.cm> .for the crowd.

* * * * * * * $ * # $ * * * *• *• v .*

^pj^-g^^..TOK EHD» July 1g&-2nd.

• Through the .generosity of John. Sumich, we- were able t.© have the use a comparatively palatial,,bach at Stanmore Bay, Eleven of us left Auckland <'7*45';;;pim.,con Friday and ultdmately reached the. bach about 9, JO p..?m,

-•Stiaaamore- Bay is situated on the Ihangaparoa Peninsula;, -aeS. #aces app­ iXimate.ly north, that is, more, or loss exposed to the open sea,.- :0n the

iti^d^yyBKS­^jing we made a survey of the beach, examining, the :.irji£3;• }aj$d vljihe i ; Cfe;';:eixp"os,ed, along the beach. Sum and Heather recorded the rmoSblusjjp ppp^.ent^ il;e

sed'la­drj&dge (barb­wire etc.,.) and rowed, around in Sum's 'M^$&y;> "but were ^r;^0jqwscessful at dredging and so gave it­up as a dea^'loss,.

­Meanwhile the others; were busy carrying put:­'.l$ne•• -:&#an.s.!e®ts;-and­VsitudyLiig

;erZ0nMion..;;of the algae and- associated, animals, ColVfyn;, ?ies,, /and'­fjeather were

sy-ôn;Hthew¥est Headland*, while. Viv.. and June, plus George.,and ,CQ,. ;made line anseotsponuthe vvave.^out. platform of: the last Headland,. ^§n--;.w# /-gpt­lback to e^babh^'^^were all^very hungry and were glad to sit down­:­to a dinner of tender?

eaki.:€t^';ti .The rest? of the night was comparatively une.ve^£yd:,, -$WG '..stories being ; : ad, , the./: "Sequel" proving most'­'amusing, the other'most ,boMn^..,.;-.and ­ thus to sleep,­

ft Sunday dawned fine, and in the morning several of us had a look at the Q'grove''•swamp and .dune associations. In the afternoon little was achieved ough ai'few of us had a look at the coastal forest anJ its associated species, the bus­left at 6 p.m. we had an early tea, followed by some hectic packing 3. we managed to catch the bus'with plenty of time to :.:>' rt;, We arrived back Auckland'about 8 p.m. tired but happy, after a jolly good weekend, ( ­ Ron Close, - 18 -

MID-TERM BREAK - SWANSON July 6th - 9th. (Theme song - "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes". ) Mid-term break is a period of rest between two spells of hard work. Field Club has other ideas. The camp started quietly enough on Thursday. ''at 2 p. m. wrhen John Davenport arrived at the hut to find it locked up. At, 7?*30 p. m. still quiet, Mary Lokes and Rod Bieleski arrived with the key, to be followed closely at 8 p. m. by Alex and George Corban, complete with the latest jokes. Supper was served. Time went, then the Corbans* As, Mary was worried about Digulater the doors were barred and the shutters put up, and all was silent till 1 a. m. when a far from ghostly bashing at the door marked the arrival of John Edwards and Ian Nicholson. Once again supper was served, the fire was lit and conversation commenced. At 3 a. m. supper was served yet again, and as the fire had started smoking John and Rod went out on the roof to see if the chimney was blocked. Discovering no obstruction they clambered down again to find themselves locked out. As it was cold, Rod sat on the chimney top to warm up, while John exercised himself running around the hut closing the windows that those inside persisted in opening. After 10 minutes of such warming ex• ercise the other 3 came out to join them as for some unknown reason the room had become very rapidly filled with smoke. By 6 a,. uP sleep seemed the logical thing, so it proceeded unchecked until about. 8 a. mc when appetites gained the upper hand. The day was grey and moist, and activities wero confined to walking up Peripatus to the Cascades, then to Pukematekeo, thence back to the hut where Rex Mirams, Karen Thomson and Brian (Hank) Hannken had arrived in tome to start cooking tea. While tea was being disposed of in the approved Field Club manner George Mason and Ross Robbins arrived.

"By 10 p. m. the survivors of the previous night were in their sacks, and John Sumich, Ivan Pickens, Dick Kulka,. Colwyn and. Jane Trevarthen, Heather Halcrow and Unmitigated Racket had arrived, the latter staying until midnight.

The second day was similar to the first except that the route to the Cascades was through the Waitakere Tunnel, electrically lit by 3 torches and 29*997 glow-worms and that two rare specimens (Dr. Godley and Prof. Davis) were found near a big Kauri. Meanwhile at mid-day Barbara Bickers, Keith Wise and Toffee Mackadam had arrived at the hut. Two or three gentle little F. C. games ended the day and speeded the departure of John Edwards, Ivan Pickens and Ian Nicholson who had apparently had enough.

Sunday smarted slowly and smokily with Sum, Mary, Rod and Colwyn on breakfast chores. Due to an excess of availc"1 food this was. -hot. finished until 11, 30 a. m. by which time John Wadham had arrived accoiuj- ni. êd; by; his' car. Then Dick, bursting with some inexplicable desire to be Santa Claus. i '"his way to that well trodden ground, the hut roof, where he started stuffing Kapok from an old pillow down the chimney. Immediately abusive objections from "the cooks resulted in a battle in which the water tanks and roof were clothed in a white mantle of kapok and Mary was heard to announce that it was snowing. By: this, time the lack of sleep was beginning to tell, so apart from cleaning up the hut, action was at a minimum the only other energetic event being to put Heather in the luggage rack on the train home.

- Rod Bieleski.

BETHELLS, WEST COAST - EXCURSION* August 13th.

Field Club's second attempt to get to Bethell's succeeded on the first Sunday of the August vacation. (The first effort was made by a valiant party of half a dozen on a very rainy King's Birthday "^- L^ny only got as far as Swanson station. )

The peacefulness of Swanson was shattered by the arrival at 10. 15 a. m. of 24 Field Club types. Peace again descended on Swanson when ten minutes later the party moved off to Bethell's in a cream lorry* After inhaling several pounds of the road in the form of dust, we eventually arrived on the beach. Here the party split up, some going around the rocks, but the majority heading for the lakes, which have been formed by their outlets being blocked by moving sand dunes. The weather was cool but sunny and the majority seemed content to wander around in the bush and enjoy the scenery in preference to collecting. Low tide was - 19 -

just before 4 p. m. and by then most of us were down at the shore collecting algae . and molluscs, or tricing photographs of the spectacular surf from a * relatively' safe distance.

The departure of the truck was slightly delayed by the late,, arrival of three of the party, but by 5 p. m. the truck was on its way back to Swanson, Then and only then was the party introduced to Ben Zene, a large black 'petrel', very dead, and a friend of John Davenport - the usual corny jokes followed this introduction. Swanson station was reached in time, and here Sum. astounded everyone by shouting all of us to a bottle of soft drink. The train was fairly full and our party was forced to split up into various carriages. This resulted In our sing-song being not up to its usual standard. However our uneventful journey was shattered by the antics of one of our more rowdy members (female) and there was little peace till the train arrived in Auckland.

- Rod Bieleski.

(. A plant species list was compiled from records taken on this trip, and this makes another contribution to our species record of the Auckland area. Ed. )

RUSSELL CAMP. August 18th - 25th.

We had a wonderful trip up in the dreadful Ardmore transporter marred only by the facts that: the road was awful; it was wet and dull; and Russell was cold and windy when we arrived. At Hananui House double beds and 2 sittings of meals awaited us. Some spartan men lived on the floor of the local school house,

Our mornings were spent on trips round the coast studying the algal communities.. On Saturday we went on the excursion to Waitangi. We would not pay, much to the caretaker's annoyance, so retreated to a very pebbly beach for lunch of 4 small sandwhiches between the whole party. Two other noteworthy excursions were on Sunday, when we puddled round in the Mangrove swamps with Prof. Davis, followed by a trip to the Russell bush. Some hardy souls scrambled round Tapeka on the Wednesday and arrived famished to the 2nd and 3rd sittings of lunch.

In the evenings entertainment of various forms-was provided for us. We went to the pictures twice and sat in the cheap seats among the children. One night the Lindauers' organised an evening for us - a talk by Prof, Davis followed by a glorious home-made supper and a dance. We have to thank the Lindauers for all they did for us, including afternoon tea after our excursion to the Russell bush - and afternoon tea for 25 hungry workers was no mean task.

We had two budding romances on the spot which some of us did our best to foster while contact with the Botany Department was kept up some extremely long letters and one or two very short ones. The last two evenings were spent in bed and hotel wrecking and other general pranks and we could almost hear the whole township breath a sigh of relief as our bus departed for Auckland,

The trip home was uneventful except when we were held up by a traffic cop and our driver was found to have committed six offences. Those in Mrs, Chapman's car did their best to warn us by flying long knitted red underwear (which had greatly increased in size during the week) out of the car window, but we did not 'catch on' till it was too late.

- Barbara Steen. - 20 -

FIELD WORK AND SCIENTIFIC ACCOUNTS

LAKE WAIKAREMOANA

A considerable amount of scientific material was obtained during this camp. Attention was given to many fields in biology, but most of the work done was on the vegetation and bird life of the area. Neil Butler also did some work on the freshwater biology of the lake.

A BRIEF NOTE ON THE FRESHWATER BIOLOGY OF WAIKAREMOANA - N. -J. Butler.

In Waikaremoana there are two species of trout introduced which are the main attraction of this lake for sportsmen. These are Salmo trutta (Brown trout) and S. gairdnerii (Rainbow trout). Some plankton collecting was done but the results did not justify any deduction being made. However, the following plankton, organisms were recorded?- Staurastrum sp. (Desmid) was the most abun• dant, Volvox sp. (Chlorophyceae) and Ceratium 2 spp. (Dinoflagellate), Zoo- plankton was very scarce, being represented by a few individuals of Copeopods and CIadocera (Water flies).

A few filamentous algae were collected from various places around the shore of the lake, from Waikare-iti, from bottom dredging, and from Aniwhaniwa Stream. Genera present were: - Chlorophyceae: Spirogyra, Zygnema, Ulothrix, Chaetomorpha, Vaucheria, Trente- pchlia, Cladophora, Cyanophyceae: Scytonema, Tolypothrix, Gloeocapsa, Phormidium. Rhodophyceae: Porphyridium sp. This is a unicelled red alga and forms a crust on one of the rocks in Waikare-iti. When it is wet it shows up as a brilliant red crust and tourists in the course of the launch trip around this lake are told that this is the spot where Te Kooti made a sacrifice and that the blood stains have remained there till this day.

Of th^ ^perm water plants, Potogameton (polygonifolius?) and Myriophyllum sp. V'G*- n, both in shallow water of the lake-side.

ICHENS OF LAKE WAIpREElOANA - John Wadham.

The cni "I p tion of Lichens at Waikaremoana was not carried out with the idea of compiling a species list, therefore the collection is neither comprehen- sive nor representr' Lve, most of the specimens being the larger frank epiphytes, All generic identic: '"•vbions on specific identifications in Sticta, were made using Dr. H.H. Allan's ke;. n in Tuatara, Vols. I and II» Other specific identifications were made from Hook^ r-s "Handbook of the N.Z. Flora", 1882. The Handbook is obviously out of dat o and incomplete, and many of the determinations, particular^ Cladonia, we."e mr do more for convenience than for the accuracy with.which the specimens fitted the d e s c r ip t io ns.

LIST OF LICHEHS COLLECTED.

Sticta oor-iacea T.E. * (a) •Qladonia capitellata G, (a) variabilis T.E. (f) pyxidata G. (a) . offloreseons T*E, (f) furcata G. (f) homocophylla T.E. (a) decortioata G.. impressa T.E. (f) machilenta G. lacera T.E. corucupoides G. floto;,dana T.E. (f) retipora G. Panekiri Bluff (f) latifrons T.E.

coronata T#E. (a) Stereocaulon australis (a) in places, aurata T.E. (a) 1 alee-side. B'inuosa T.E* (f) Sphaerophorus oompre ssum T.E,-G. (a)

filix T.E# (f) Peltigera sp. G. episticta $»2» Haematpma sp. (rock - lake-side) - 21 -

Iticta subcoriaceae T.E. G-raphina sp. T.E. Lecanora parella (rook - lake-side (f) Thelotrema lepudinum T.E, 3-raphis sp. T.E, Thelotrema monospora T.E. Biatora sp. T.E.

* T.E. s trunk epiphyte: G. = ground: (a) « abundant: (f) = frequent.

Note:. Cladonia retipora was found only on Fanekirikiri Bluff, The liohen dis• tribution of New Zealand has not been worked out to any great extent, but Cranwell and Moore (Rec. Auck. Inst. Mus., Vol. I, No. 2? 1931) mention it as a fell-field lichen at this latitude, while Martin (p. 68 "Flora of N.Z.") describes it as alpine. Its restricted accurrence on Panekirikiri fits in well with the un• usual flora found there.

if. sje # # tjf if $ # * sp # '4 >? * V ifi * * '!< #

THE MOSSES AND LIVERWORTS OF WAIfo\REMOANA - N.J. Butler.

Lake Waikaremoana and its environs offer good prospects to the bryologist. The various stations from the shores of the lake to the almost subalpine heights ' enable him to collect representative mosses and liverworts of the open country and shady bush even while on a brief visit.

The type of mixed beech forest leads to an open canopy resulting in a rich flora on the florest floor.

Owing to lack of space even the brief ecological notes made with each specimen have had to be omitted, the list being more of a check list of species found. Full records and specimens are in the author's herbarium except those marked with an asterisk. Thanks are due to Mrs. E.A. Hodgson (hepatics) and Mr. K.W» Allison (mosses) for help in naming "difficult" species.

HEPATIGAE: JUNGERMAIfuALES: Acrogyne. Epi go nanthac eae.

Plagiochila fuscella (Tayl.) G-.L. et N. Chiloscyphus trie ant hus (Tayl.) St. P. fasciculata Lindb. C. normalfs (St.) Hodg. P. stephensoniana Mitt. Lophocolea grandistipula Schiff. P. deltoidea Lindb. L. leucophylla (Tayl.) Syn. Hep. P. conjugata Lindb. L. subporosa Mitt. ? Jamesoniella sonderi (G-.) St. L. lent a (Tayl.) Syn. Hep, J. tasmanica (Tayl,) St, L, bispinosa (Tayl,) Syn Hep, Geocalyx novae-zealandiae Herz. L. lamellioalyx Herz,

Schistochilaceae

Schistochila nobilis Nees, Schistochila balfauriana (Tayl,) St. S. repleta H. f & T, Balantiopsis diplophyllum Mitt.

Trigonanthaoeae

Bazzania adnexa L. et L. Lepidozia concinna Col. Lepidozia laeyifolia (Tayl.) Syn Hep. M&rgu^id: via egj^gtuia Col,

Ptilidaoeae

Isotaohis lyallii Mitt, Trichocolea australis St. Lepicolea scolopendra Nees. T. lanata Nees. Lepidolaena tayl or i G-.

Radulaceae

Radula allisonii Castle. R, levieri St, - 22 -

Forellaceae

Porella (Madotheca) stangeri G.

Frullaniaceae Frullania aterima (Tayl.) Syn, Hep, F, pyonantha Mont, F. rest rat a "(Tayl.) Syn. Hep,

JUNGMlMi\MIAIJ3S j Anacrogyne, Monocleaceae Monoclea forsteri Hook*

Dilaenaceae

Symphyogyna hymenophyllum Mont, S. opovata (Hook.) H.f & T»

Met zgeriaceae Metzgeria sp, Hymenophytum flabellatum (Mont.) St,

Aneuraceae Riccardia micropinna St, Riccardia. eriocaula Hook.

MARCHANTIAIJES i Marchant iaceae. Marchantia foliaceae Mitt, M, "berteroana L, et L. (syn, M, tabularis Nees,

Qporculatae

Fimbriaria (Astcrella) australii F. tonella Mitt.

AKTHDGEROTAEs

Anthocerotaceae. Anthoceros sp. Megaceros sp.

MJSQINBAE

Polytrichaceae

Gatharinaea muelleri Havnpe & CM, Polytrichum juniperinum Willd. Dendroligotrichum dendroides (Hedw.) Polytrichadelphus magellanicus Mitt, Broth, F i s s ide nt ace ae

Fissidens asplenioides (Sw.) Hedw. F. rigidulus H.f & ¥. F. adiantoid.es Hedw. F. taylori CM.

Grimmiaoeae Gr immia apocarpa liedw,- Zygodo_ n intermedius B* & S. Rhacomitr ium crispulum (H.f & ¥.) H.f & ¥.

Dicranaceae

Campylopus clavatus (R.Br.) H.f & W. D, pleurisetum (CM,) Dix. G. introflexus (Hedw,) Mitt, D, fasciatum (Hedw.) Par. Oeratodon purpureus Br id, D. menziesii (H.f & W,) Par. Blindia magellanica W.P, Schimp. & C. Mull. Dicranolorna Toillardieri (Sehwaegr) Par. Ditrichum elongatum (H.f & W,) Mitt, D. cylindropyxis (C M.') Dix. *Dicranella vaginata (Hook,) Card. var. clathrata H. f & W. - 23 -

Dicnemonaceae Leuoobryaceae

Dicnemon calycinum (Hook,) Schwaegr. Leucobryum oandidum (Brid,) H.f & W.

Pottiaoeae Tortella knightii (Mitt.) Brid, Tprttaa- pfaaea (H*f & F.) .Dix. T. oalyoina (Schwaegr.) Dix. Tridontium tasiaajiicum Hook, Tortula rubra Mitt. Weisia viridula Hedw.

Orthotrichaceae

Macromitrium gracile (Hook.) Schv/aegr, pus ilium Mitt4 M. longipes (Hook.) Schwaēgr•

Funariaceae Funaria hygrometrica (L.) Sibth,

Bryaceae Bryum caespiticium L, ? B. truncorum Brid, B, chrysoneuron CM. B. laevigatum H. f & W. B. huttonii K.Br, ter. Orthodontium sulcatum H.f <& ¥#

Leptostomaceae Leptostomum inclinans R. Br. *L. macrocarpum (Hedw.) R.Br,

Mniaoeae

Mhium rostratum Schwaegr.

Rhizogoniaceae

Hymenodon piliferus H.f & W. R. distichum (Sw.) Brid, Leptotheca gaudichaudii Schwaegr. R. mnioides (Hook,) Schimp. Rhizogonium bifarium (Hook.) Schimp,

Bartramiaceae

Bartramia papillata H. f & W. Philonotis australis (Mitt.) Jaeg. B. norvegica (Gunn.) Lindb. ?. tenuis (Tayl.) Jaeg. Breutelia pendula (Hook.) Mitt.

Hypnodendraceae

Sciadocladus sp. (sterile) *Hypnodendrori arcuatum (Hedw,) Mitt,

Rhacopilaceae

Rhacopilum strumiferum CM. R. robustum H.f & ¥.

Ptychomniaoe ae Ptychomnion aciculare (Brid.) Mitt. Glyphothecium sciuroides (Hook.) Hampe. Gladomnion ericoides (Hook.) H.f & W,

Lepyrodontaceae Lepyrodon australis Hampe.

Neckeriaceae

Weymouthia cochlearifolia (Schwaegr)Dix. Orthorrhynchium elegans (H.f & W.) Reichdt W. inoliis (Hedw.) Broth Homalia falcifolia (H.f & W.) H.f & W. Papillaria crocea (Hampe) Jaeg. Neckera hymenodonta CM. P. flavo-limbata (CM, & Hampe) Jaeg. Thamnium pandum (H.f & W.) Jaeg.

Echirodiaocae,

Ichinodium hispidum (H.f <& W.) Jaeg, - 24 -

Lembophyllaoeae

Caiaptochaete arbuscula (Hook.) Jaeg. C. gracilis (H.f & W.) Tar. *0. ramulosum (Mitt,) Jaeg. G. pulvir^ta (H.f & ¥.) Jaeg. C. angustata (Mitt,) Jaeg. Lembophyllurn clandestinum (H.f & 1.) Lindb. Hookeriaceae

Distichophyllum ambylophyllum (H, f & W.) Mitt. D. rotundifolium (H.f & W.) Broth. Fterygophyllum dentatum (H.f & YiT,) Mitt. P. quadrifarium (Hook.T Brid.

Hypopterygiaceae

Hypopterygium filiculaeforme (Hedw.) Brid. H. novae-seelandiae CM. H. setigerum (?. Beauv.) H.f & ¥, H. rotulatum (Hedw.) Brid. *Catharomnion ciliatum (Hedw.) H.f & ¥.

Thuidiaceae

Thuidium furfurosum (H.f & ¥.) Jaeg. T. laevisculum (Mitt.) Jaeg.

Ambly s tegia.ce ae Acrocladium auriculatum (Mont.) Mitt. Campylium relaxum (H.f & W.) Broth. Amblystegium riparium Tb.) Bry. *DepanoGiac"i.us aduncus (Hedw.) Moenek.

Brachytheciaceae

Brachythecium plumosum (Sw, B. & S. Rhynchostegium laxatum (Mitt.) Par.

S ematophyllaoeae

Acanthocladium extenuatum (Brid.) Mitt. Sematophyllurn amoenum (Hedw.) Dix.

Hypnaceae Plagiothecium denticulatum (L.) Bry. H. cupressif orme var.... filiformis Brid. Gatagonium politum (H.f ~¥.) Dus. H. ohrysogaster CM, Hypnum cupr e s s if orme Linn.- Oterddium pubescens (H.f & ¥«•) Broth.

THE VEGETATION OF THE LAKE WAIKAREMOANA AREA.

- Colwyn Trevarthen and George Mason.

Waikaremoana is a mountain lake, 2,015 ft. above sea level, situated on the eastern side of the Urewera Country (East Cape Botanical District). The greatest length of Waikaremoana is 1 2 miles, the widest part is 6 miles and its total area is about 21 square miles.-. A short distance to the north is the satellite lakelet, Waikare-iti, possibly the highest lake of any size in the North Island. The countryside is rich in Maori history and legend.

On the road through the wild Urewera Country, before reaching Wai• karemoana, it was noticed that the forest consisted of beech (mainly Nothofagus menziesii) with which was mixed various Podocarps such as P. hallii, P< ferru- gineus, p. dacrydioides and Dacrydium cupressinum. Beilschmiedia tawa and Ixerba brexioides were also abundant, and epiphytic on many of the trees was Senecio kirkii, often in flower. Other species particularly noticed were Weinmannia racemosa, Hoheria sextylosa, Cordyline indivisa (near the track to JR.ua'a Stronghold (Maungapohatu) and Metrosideros robusta.

Near the lake itself, the most noticeable change is the rise in im- ^ portance of the mixed podocarp element. In the valleys and on the slopes of the ridges round the lake, the vegetation often closely approaches the mixed forest found in the Y/aitakere Ranged', Auckland, with, of course, many species

noticeably absentf e.g. Rhopalostylis sapida and Freycinetia banksii. Here beech maybe scarce, the dominant trees being the podocarps and tawa. Other characteristic species are Rhipogonum scandens, Hedecarya arborea, Aristotelia i

- 23 -

racemosa, Metrosideros robusta, Schefflera digitata, Pitto sporurn tenuifolium.,, Suttonia australis, Coprosma robusta, C. lucida, C„ australis, Braohyglottis rcpanda, Cyathea moduliaria and Dicksonia squarrosa..

Higher up on Ngamoko Ridge "beech becomes dominant, the species being Nt menziesii which is also occasionally found near the lake. Several' inter• esting changes occur with altitude, in the distribution of certain species ,in the

ascent, of Ngamoko. The beech forest Coprosmas (C. foetidissima, C. t-enulfolium3 C. banksii and G, cclensoi) come in at about 2500 ft. or possibly higher in the case of the first two species. The open forest floor (here even more so than usual, due to the influence of deer and pigs) is characterised at about 2800 ft. by the two species of Leptopteris, L. superba and L. hymenophylloides (the comm• oner) , also Dicksonia fibrosa, Blechnum discolor (very common), B. patersoni, B. lanceolatum and B. fluviatile. Other trees noticed Y\rere Podocarpus hallii, occasional large Metrosideros robusta, Bcilschmiedia tawa, Ixerba brexioides

with one or two Ramusk Also becoming frequent at this level were Nothopanax colensoi and Griselinia littoralis. Various Hymenophyllum species were abun- • dant, and present on the forest floor-were the following herbs: Urtisa ferox (abundant), Care'amir.-p heterophylla and near the summit were Nertera dichondrae- f olia, with Enargea parviflora and Libert ia pulchella. On the track-side, ' ff-floinis- caespitosa, U, australis, Carex ternaria and Microlaena avenacea were abundant,

The boecii forest along the track to Lake Waikare-iti differs consid• erably from that near Waikaremoana. The dominant here is Nothofagus fusca as giant trees, this being the finest bush in the area.. Also conspicuous were the Coprosmas, Nothopanax colensoi, N„ edgerleyi, Griselinia littoralis, Dicksonia fibrosa and Aristotecai racemosa (near streamsJ. The stream gullies were char• acterised by almost pure communities of Fuchsia excortica. Along this track many beautiful ferns, both terrestrial and epiphytic, were found, while the mosses and liverworts were extremely luxuriant. Near the landing, round the shore of" Lake Waikare-iti thr- forest floor was characterised by a luxuriant covering of Collospermum cp.v ... together with Cardiomanes reniforme, Hymenophyllum demissum and H. flabellatum, above which grew Dracophyllum recurvatum, small Phyllocladus glaucus .and scattered trees of Nothofagus fusca, N. menziesii and Ixerba brex- ioides.

Near Lake Waikaremoana, the flats, recently extended by the lowering of the lake level, are characterised by a covering of many different sedges, rushes and grasses, The lake shores often provide a rich and varied 'weed' flora of herbs such as Lagenophora pumila, Gnaphalium luteo-album and several species of Epilobium, Other interesting local records from this type of comm• unity were Poterti.Ha ansurina, Pratia perpusilla, . Gratiola peruviana and Triglochin striata var. filifolium. In places behind the lake shores is an open bush somewhat 'coastal' in character, consisting of Brachyglottis repanda, Melicytis ramiflorus, Pittosporum tenuifolium, Vitex lucens, Edwardsia.tetraptera, Aristotelia racemosa, together with Parsonsia heterophylla and Muehlenbeckia australis. Other areas are covered in a dry scrub consisting of Leptospermum sooparium, Pteridium esculentum, Leucopogen fasciculatus, Cyatnodes acerosa,

G-auItheria antipoda; with Lycopodium volubile and L, scariosum.

However, the most interesting records came froin Panekirikiri Bluff (approx. 4000 ft*). On the southern slopes, the hooch forest (N. menziesii) considerably opened up by deer, at 3500' gives way bo a type of sub-alpine vege• tation of. Wintera colorata with scattered trees of W. axillaris. Near the summit of the Bluff towards the lake was an exposed scrub vegetation-..dominated by Lept o spermum s c op a r ium. Also common were Dracophyllum filif orme (possibly subdorninant), Griselinia littoralis, Weinmannia racemosa, Coprosma robusta, Olearia arborescens, Cordyline banksii, Phormium colensoi and Gahnia paueif1or-a (in dense clumps very reminiscent of the tussock at National Park).On the open floor Blechnum discolor was abundant.

Present; at l;he top of the Bluff was a truly alpine component to this vegetation, the species being: Celmisia spectabilis (2 plants), Ourisia macro- phylla (often frequent), Euprasia cuneata (several plants) and Pterostylis australis (locally abundant). These records will add further to our present knowledge of the high mountain vegetation between the more northerly Mt. Hikurangi (5606*) and the Kaimanawas to the south. .­ 26 ­

Unfortunately it was not possible to make a complete survey of the summit, but a future visit to the area would possibly add further valuable re­ cords. Perhaps then a comparison could be made with the alpine vegetation of Maungapohatu, *

WAIKARĒMOAMA. SPECIES LIST

PSILOPSIDA Tmesipteris tannensis (o)

LYCOPSIDA

Lyoopodium varium (o)~ beech forest. Lycopodium bil 'I nirai rr] e ri (f) L. fastigiatum (a ­ edge of Bluff) L. scariosum (f) Scrub. L. volubile (o) ­ roadside etc,)

PILICOPSIDA

Ophioglossum coriaceum (lake edge flats ). Hymenophyllum rarum (f) forest epiphyte . Hymenophyllum sanguinolentum (forest) H. pulcherrimum (near Waikare­iti) H. dilatatum ^ō) PI. demissum (f f forest. H. flabellatum (f) forest ­ often dry. H, bivalve (f) or (al) Trichomanes venosum (o) forest Cardiomanes reniforme (Porst.) (a) Dicksonia squarrosa (a) ­ forest. Dicksonia fibrosa (f) Waikare­iti. Cyathea medullaris (f) Polystichum richardi Dryopteris pennigera (a) Lindsaya cuneata (o) Asplenium adiantoides (o) A. bulbiferum (f) A. lucidum (o) ­ forest. A. flaccidum (a) Blechnum patersoni (o) Blechnum discolor (a) B. fluviatile (a) B. lanceolatum if) B. penna­marina (once) beech forest. B.. procerum (Forst.fj' (f) Adiantum affine (f) Pteris macilenta (f) P. trernula (o) Histiopteris incisa (a) open places Pteridium esculentum (Porst.) Diels. (a) Paesia scaberula (a) Polypodium billardieri (f) Polypodium granpitidis (o) P. pustulatun (oj diyersif oliuiir [oj P. novae­zelandiae (?) (once) Cyclophorus serpens (f Leptopteris hymenophylloides (o) Leptopteris superba (o

SPERMATOPSIDA

CTMOSPERMAE T axaceae Podocarpus totara (o) to 2500' Podocarpus hallii (f) above 3000* P. ferrugineus "7f) to 2500* P. dacrydioides(o) Dacrydium cupressinum (f) Phyllocladus trichomanoides (r) P« glaueus (al) fa'ikare­iti.

ANG­IOSPERMAE: ­ Monocotyledons. Typhaceae Sparganiaceae Typha angugtifolia (r) (fir) Spafcganium antipodum ­ near Waikaremoana

Haiadaceae Potamogeton polygonifolius (?) (ol) Triglochin striata var. filiform. Gramineae Arundo conspicua (f) lake shores Microlaena avenacea (f) tracksides. Trisetum antarcticum (a) open spaces ilopecurus geniculatus (o) damp ground Qplismenus undulatifolius (o) Danthonia semiannularis (a) Danthonia cunninghamii (o) Agrostis sp, (?Dyeri), (once) - 27 -

Cyperaceae

\farisous ustulatus (f) lake side flats Eleocharis acuta (o) lake side. Scirpus inundatus (f) E. sphacelata S. cernuus Gahnia pauciflora (f) Panekiri Bluff. Gahnia lacera (o) Uncinia caospitosa (f) beech forest U. australis (f j "beech forest ,Carex secta (f&l) swampy flat near lake. Carex gaudichaudiana (f) lake-side C subdola (o) beech forest C. tcrnaria (o) lake-side C. lucida (o) lake side C. disaita.(near lake) C dissita var, ochrosaccus (lake flat) C. scmi-forsteri (?) lakeside C. forsteri (f) lake side (o).forest.

Juncaceae

Juncus pallidus (boggy ground nr. lake) Juncus pauciflorus (o) wet ground J. tenuis (f) open ground J. lampocarus (fj wet ground Luzula campestris (f) throughout.

Liliaceao

Rhipogonum scandens (f) (fir. & fr.) Enargea parviflora (a) in beech above 2300 Cordyline australis (o) (fir.) C. banksii (f) (fir.) C. indivisa (p.) high altitudes .Astelia (c. 3 spp.) Collospermum sp. (a) Waikare-iti Dianella intermedia (o)'mixud forest Phormium tenax (o) P. colensoi (f) ?,. tcnax x colensoi (Panekiri Bluff) Iridaceae

Libertia .pulchella (o) c. 30005 L. ixioides (r) Orchidaceae ' (after Hatch)

Dendrobium cunninghamii (f) Earina mucronata (o) -Earin a autumnali--s (f.->) . . Microtis unifolia (f) or (a) road-sides Caladenia earned var. minor (Cheeseman) Pterostylis australis (f).Bluff -4000' P. montana var. typica (f) or (al) Corybas macranthus var., typica (once) C. triloba (a) beech forest Chiloglottis cornuta (o) beech forest Thelymitra .longifolia (f)' road sides T. longifolia var. insularis T. longifolia x pachypnylla (Chesm.) T, aristata •<

ANGIQSPERMAEI - Dicotyledons. Fagaceae

Nothofagus menziesii (a) to 4000' Nothofagus fusca (a) N. solandri (o) near lake N. cliffortioides (r) Bluff, 3500-4000' Urticaceao Urtica i'neisa (a)- beech forest Proteaceae Persoonia toru (o) Knight ia excelsa (o) mix-ed forest Loranthaceae Poly^o nac e; iu > Elytranthe colensoi - Colenso Muehlenbeckia australis (f) open bush

Ranunculaceae Clematis indivisa (o) Clematis parviflora (once) C. hexasepala (rT Panekiri Bluff Ranunculis hirtus (a) forest Magnoliaceae • Wintera axillaris (f) to 3000' W. cole rat a (al) or (f) to 4000'- Monomiaceae Lauraceae Hedycarya arborea (o) mixed forest Beilschmiedia tawa (al) or (f) Cruclferae Cardamine heterophylla (a) forest F 1

- 28 -

Saxifragaceae Quintinia serrata (o) Ixer"ba brexioides (f) beech forest Carpodetus serratus (f) mixed forest Pittosporaceae Pittosporum tenuifolium (f) or (al) Pittosporum eugenioides (f) near lake P, crassifollum (roadside, base of Bluff")

Ounoniaoeae Weinmannia racemoSa (a) Rosaceae Rubus cissoides (f) A, Cunn, Rubus sohmidelioide s A, Gunn. (oi) Potent ilia anserina (f,l) Aoaena sanguisorbae (a).

Leguminosae Qarmiohaelia flagelliformis (once) Clianthus puniceus Edwardsia tetraptera (f) lake side

G-eraniaceae Geranium molle (o) c. 2500' Geranium sessiliflorum (ol)

Oxalidaceae Linaceae Oxalis corniculata (f,l) Linum monogynum (o,l)

Coriariaceae Ooriaria ruscifolia (a) open places

Elaeocarpaceae Elaeocarpus hookerianus (o) Elae ocarpus;, dentatjiq, (o)

Aristotelia serrata (a) ^ sy-m, A_,_ .raqernQsa - L...aesem, T925#

Malvaceae Plagianthus betulinus (o) Hoheria sextylosa (o)

Violaceae Viola cunninghamii (r) Melicytus ramiflorus (o)

Thymelaeaceae Pimelea prostrata (f) near lake P, longifalia

Myrtaceae Leptospermum scoparium (f) to WO'1 Leptospermum ericoides (f ,l) Metrosideros diffusa (Porst.) ¥,R*-01iv, Metrosideros, robus.ta A. Cunn, (o) Um colensoi Hbok,f (once) I,. scandens (ForstT) Bruce, M, perforata (Porst.) Rich, once,

Onagraceae Epilobium pedunculare (f) Epilobium iiuriimularif oliura (o) E. nerteroides (r) E« erectum (f) near lake E, junceum (f) near lake E. pubens (f) roadside banks E, rotundifolia (f) near lake Fuchsia excortica (f)

Haloragidaceae Haloragis erect (f) near lake. ,Myriophyllum propinquum (fl) Gunnera monoica (one colony)

Araliaceae Nothopanax edgerleyi (o) beech forest Nothopanax arboreum (f) mixed forest. N. colensoi .(f)'beech forest N. sinclairii (ftl)~beech forest N, anomalum (one plant) Schefflcra digitata (f) forest Pscudopanax crassifolium (d) - 29 -

tlmbellafferae

Hydrocotyle dissecta (a) open flaces Hydrocotyle microphylla (o) 3500' Gentella asiatica (f) Angelica rosaefolla (oT Lilaeopsis lineata (o) near lake (Grantzia lineata Cheesem,)

Cornaceae

Griselinia littoralis (a) ~ 2+000'

Ericaceae

Gaultherja antipoda (a) near lake Gaultheria depress a (o)

Epacridaceae

Cyathodes acerosa (o) near lake Leucopogon f a 3 cioulatus (f) near lake Dracophyllum filifolium (c. 4000') Dracophyllum reourvatum? (f) (Names of Dracophyllum after Oliver*)

Myrsihaceae

Suttonia australis (o) S. divaricata (r) Beech forest

Oleaceae Plea cunninghamii. (r) Plea lanceolata (o) Forest

Lop;aniaceāe Geniostoma ligustrifolium (f) forest

Apocynaoeae Parsonsia capsularis (o,l) Parsonsia heterophylla (o) near lake

verbenaceae Solanaceae Vitex lucens (0) near lake Splanum aviculare (r) hear lake.

S or ophul ar iace ae Ourisia mgcrophylla (f) Hebe salicifolia (o):, Euphrasia cuneata Gratiola peruviana (o) hear lake,

Rubiaoeae *Coprosma robusta (f) near lake Cpprosma lucida (f) hear lake C, australis (o) mixed forest C. foetidissima (a)above 3000' Or tenuifolia (f) above 3000' 0« colensoi (f) beech forest 0, banksii (o) beech forest C. parviflora (o) beech forest G«. areolata (o) Nertera diohondraefolia (o) forest Nertera depressa (o) coast, * Coprosmas after Oliver,

Campanulaceae Pratia angulata (f) *Pratia perpusilla (a) Vifahleribergia gracilis (0) *This plant was found with typical Fratia­ like fruit and in full flower. Gompo sitae Lagenophdra pumila (al) coastal flats Olearia macrodonta (o) near lake Olearia arWesoeris (f j above k000\ Oelmisia spectabilis (o. 2f000V, Bluff) Gnaphalium luteo­album (f) open places Gnaphalium keriense (a) Helichrysum bellidioides (o) H. glomeratum (f) near lake. Gassiniri leptophylla.(?) 1 specimen Brachyglottis repanda (a) forest Seneoio kirkii (0) below 30001 Raoulia tenuicaulis (r,l)

if i'fi ifi % if if if >r' >!> # v # .*? * # * '<' * * In the above list the following abbreviations have been used: (a) a abundant: (f) = frequent: (o) » occasional: (r) = rare: (al) = abundant local: (f,l) frequent local: (ol) = occasional local: (rl) « rare local: (fl) = flowering: (fr) « fruiting. - 30 -

BIRDS OF LAKE WAIORMQAiNff.

by John Davenport.

Tho 1949 After Degree Camp at Lake Waikaremoana gave the ornithol• ogists a chance to study the bird life of a little knov-n and primitive area visited by some of our early explorers* For some, it meant seeing birds which previously had been merely names, or dead pieces of feather in a museum,, and for all of us, it gave some idea of a part of the original forest of New Zealand.

As is usually the case, many of the more ambitious schemes were never realised, but in the short week spent there, a fair estimate of the population of the various species was obtained. It must be understood, however, that the area covered, (the eastern side), is only a very small portion of the whole bush-clad region, and the bird population may be entirely different in other parts of the lake,

Accounts of the birds in this area are few and very sketchy, so it is hoped that the following records will be of some use to future workers in this area. Perhaps future Field Club camps here may be able to concentrate on some of the many investigations that were left untouched.

LIST OF SPECIES.

Kiwi (Aptoryx australis): Not seen, but the local inhabitants all agreed it was present. Shrill whistles heard one night were thought to come from a kiwi in the hills behind the camp. Crested Grebe (Colymbus cristatus); The local boatman and the ranger both agreed that this species was not on the lake. Dabchick (Poliooephalis rufopectus): * Not seen by our party, but the boatman was certain it wa.s present, as well as on the smaller Lake Waikare-iti.. How- over, the ranger had never seen it. Black Shag (Phalacrocorax carbo); Two birds were seen frequently near the Aniwaniwa falls - 3 or 4 more were seen on the trip round the lake. Littie Bla^k Shag (p. sulcirostris): Reported to be present on the lake, but i'j oust be borne :'n mind, however, that this shag is easily confused with -the dark phase of the whito-throated species (P. melanoleucus),. One small .shag .. was seen, but it was flying, fast, close to the water, and could not be iden• tified. Paradise Duck (Tadorna variegata): At least eight pairs of this handsome duck were seen. One pair had nested near the camping grounds and were reg• ularly seen ' .dth their seven young. They would spend, the day over towards the Aniwaniwa Falls, and as evening approached would make for Some tussocky grounds, beside the camp, where they would spend the night. There were two pairs with 7 young on some swampy lakes to the south of the outlet. Grey Duck (Anas poicilorhyncha): The most abundant duck on.the lake. Many family parties were seen, as well as small flocks in the numerous bays around the lake. Two nests with ten eggs in each were found. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchus): Numerous around the camping grounds.

Shoveller (Axnasthynchot is) i One pair was thought to be nesting in the long grass beside the camp. The drake was often seen on the water beside the bank and would get very agitated when anyone approached. However, we were careful to keep well away from this area. - 31 -

N.Z. Scaup or Black Teal (Aythya novae-seelandiae); A flock of seventeen, which the locals considered to he the total population of the lake, spent most of their time in the small hay "beside the camping ground. One could never tire of watching these beautiful little birds whilst they played and preened themselves amongst the dinghies and launches which were anchored here. They seemed quite fearless of man. Blue Duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchus): Reported by the locals as being fre• quently seen up the Mokau and Aniwaniwa streams. One was seen, from the bus on the journey down, swimming in the pool above the Mokau Falls, The evening sun showed up vividly its ashy blue plumage and : ory bill, although we had only a very brief glimpse of it. None were seen on the Aniwaniwa stream on the two trips made to the upper falls, but not much time was spent in this area. Black Swan (Cygnus at rat us): Several pairs were seen round the lake, some" with up to seven cygnets. Bush Hawk (Palco rovaeseelandiae): One was seen at close quarters sitting on the remains of a burnt tree in a patch of cleared land beside the Aniwaniwa stream. Reported to be fairly common by the locals* Harrier (Circus approximans): Seen occasionally hovering above the flat grass• lands bordering the lake by the camp. There were many along the road between Rotorua and Waikaremoana* Pied Stilt (Himantopus himantopus): Some members of our party reported seeing a pair, feeding on the lakeside just east of the Mokru stream. Native Pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae); We frequently saw pigeons in the trees beside the road and quite often pairs were seen, but no nests were found. It seemed to be quite common especially at lower levels. Kaka (Nestor mer?p' -inalis): Many calls were heard on the Waikare-iti track and at one spot, where there was a gap in the overhead trees and the heads of the tallest beech in the gully below were visible, a party of at least six birds were heard r^d seen playing amongst the foliage. One afternoon also this party was seen in mass flight, high above the tree tops, emitting their characteristic screeching calls. Only occasional birds were heard on the way up to the Blu^f and one on the Ngamoko Trig track. Parakeet fQyanor,-rjTphus sp.): Unfortunately no definite conclusions could be drawn as to the relative numbers of red fronted (C. novaeseelandiae) to yellow- fronted (C. auriceps). Although calls were frequently heard on the Waikare- iti track, they all came from the tallest beech trees and it was impossible to see the birds, let alone differentiate the species. On our way up to the Bluff calls were heard in a young beech, and on climbing a neighbouring tree a good view was obtained of three yellow fronted parakeets feeding in the beech. This was the only time we got close enough to make out the species. One of the local inhabitants told us that later in the summer parakeets usually came right down to the forest floor and fed on the fallen berries and seeds. But he could not tell us which t}3ey were. Shining Cuckoo (Ohaloites lucidus): Heard occasionally round the,.camp and around the lakeside, but considering the great numbers of grey warblers>. it was surprisingly scarce. This might be due to the absence of suitable cater• pillar food which is one of the main items of its diet, or else perhaps be• cause the main migration flocks have not reached this area in early November. Long-tailed Cpokoo (Eudynamis taitensis) j Calls were commonly heard right throughout the bush, especially as evening approached, and occasionally well on into the night. One afternoon coming home froiu Lake Waikare-iti, a long - 32 -

Morepork ^(NAnpx npvaes^elandiae) ?. Prom is'he number calling at night, it seems to "be plentiful. One was seen hunting moths round a light in the camping grounds. Another was seen, in daylight, in the hush close to Lake Waikare- iti. It was first discovered hy the disturbance set up by all the smaller birds, such as whiteheads and riflemen. It took very little notice of them however, and it was not until we got to within a few feet of it that it flew with a few strokes of its wings to another small tree* This was repeated several times until it eventually flew right away with a train of small birds following it. .Kingfisher (Halycon sanctus) j One or two were seen round the lakeside. Rifleman (Aoanthisitta chloris): From the edge of Yifaikaremoana to the shores of Lake Waikare-iti riflemen were constantly heard beside the track; in fact, we decided that it was one of the commonest birds in the area. A nest was found half-way along the Waikare-iti track, in a hole in a dead beech about 40 ft. above the ground. The entrance was cleverly concealed by a strip of loose hanging bark. The adult birds were busily engaged in feeding the young. From what we could see, this food consisted of small insects and perhaps a caterpillar. Bush Wren (Xenicus longipes): A very careful search failed to find any ind• ication of this rare bird, a pair of which' had been reported seen in this area the previous winter (see N.Z. Bird Notes, Vol. 3, No. 7*)« Future camps should try to explore the high ranges on the eastern side of Lake Waikare-iti, for here the high altitude and the dense bush would make an ideal habitat for the bush wren. Grey Warbler (Pscudogerygone igata): Together with the riflemen, this is the commonestVbird in the area. Its low trilling warble was heard wherever we went. A \test containing young was found in a snowberry shrub (Gaultheria rupestris) I on a bank beside the main roadway. It was about two feet from the ground and was discovered by the hungry cheeping of the young, whilst the parents were away catching insects. White-breasted Tit (Petroioa toitoi): Quite evenly distributed throughout the bush. The typical "wheedle" song was often heard. Robin /Miro australis): Not seen by any of our party, but the local inhabitants assured us that it was occasionally seen especially on the far side of the lake. The ranger told us of a pair which had been seen regularly round the camp about four years ago. Whitehead (ivlohoua ochrocephala albicilla): Not seen in the large family flocks which are often associated with the whitehead, nor were they quite as inquisitive as thoy sometimes are, nevertheless their varied song was common throughout the bush* They seemed to be feeding largely from the taller beech trees but could be easily enticed down, by the cork and bottle trick* White-eye (Zosterops lateralis): Not seen to any extent, but once or twice flocks were heard passing over the bush, Tui (Prosthemadera hovaeseelandiae): Present in all types of country from Lake Tfaikaremoana up to the smaller lake. Bellbird (Anthornis melanura): Another very common bird. From those heard amd seen, it seemed to be in greater numbers than the tui. The first birds would stir between 3.45 and 4 a.m. and soon every bird in the neighbourhood would be emitting a quiet "clunking" note. This Yfould gradually be changed to their day• time variety of song and it would not be until the late afternoon that another song dominated all the others until quietness came at dusk. Of the introduced Passerines the only one which is worth recording is the Blackbird (Turdus morula), which was found frequently right in the depths of the bush, especially beside the Waikare-iti track. Many times it startled us by its "explosive" alr-rm arJJ , ~ 33 -

INSECTS FROM LAKE WAIKAREMOANA - John Edwards,

-following insects have "been identified from quite a large quantity of material collected "by Colwyn Trevarthen during the After-Degree Camp,

EPHEMEROPTERA I A may fly (Atalophlebia dent at a) was taken at several places. At the Waikare-iti outlet may flies and caddis flies wore in abundance,

TRICHOPTERA: The common caddis (Hydropsyohe colonica), the larval stage of which constructs a house of pieces of gravel, was also taken with may flies,

LEPIDOPTERA: Orambus flexuocellus and C, apicellus were common in huts at night, attracted to lights. The genus Crambus includes the commonly found small moths, having the wings divided longitudinally into 2 (sometimes 3) definite stripes of contrasted colour* Plusia calchites - the Lion moth, having a small silver spot on each wing, was attracted to lights in numbers. This is a common, widely dis• tributed species, Hepialis vies pens - the Puriri moth - was very common and found in great numbers around the lamps at the hotel and camping ground,

Stathmopoda phiegyra - a "helicopter" moth, so called because the narrow wings are held above the body like the blades of a helicopter. This widely distributed species is fairly common, and several were taken.

Two moths that show fine protective colouration are: 0) Venusia verriculata - the Cabbage tree moth - having brown striations on the wings giving concealment on dead Cabbage tree fronds. (2) Declana atronivea - a black and white moth showing excellent pro• tective colouration oh light coloured foliose lichens. Both the above species were taken in the huts, and others seen at night, Vanessa gonerilia, the Red Admiral, was very frequent in the area, many being seen each day. The Admirals are found usually in elevated localities,

COLEOPTERA: The large green cockchafer that flies heavily with a loud droning 1 noise was common at duskf (CBlorcj^hiton suturalis) ' ' The liecodema spp. taken are interesting as they are new locality records. M, rugiceps was found in tussock near Lake Waikaremoana, M, simplex, a North Island species, is recorded in the original paper only from the Wellington district. A third specimen appears to fit in the costellum group, which is recorded only from the South Island and Stephen Island,

DIPTERA: Three "blow-flies" were very common. Calliphora quadrimaculata, C, ooeanii and Luculia seracata occurred in large numbers.

Several species of Craneflies were collected. Some do not fit any description well, and maybe new species, or at least distinct varieties,

Those definitely identified are given below: Ramphophila lyrifera: 2 specimens from lake-side, Maoromastix holoohlora: 1 large specimen M, variep;ata; several collected Discobola picta: 1 specimen Hudsonia heteroffamia: 1 male Qynopllsta sp,s This is nearest to G. glauca, but seems to differ in a few respects. ij< # # # # fjs # >jt $ # # if # if if # jjt :f if % - 34 -

TEE VEGETATION OF OTATA. IS. , NOISES ISLANDS GROUP. - George Mason and Colwyn 'J? re var then.

Tne following is an account of the plant records of. the largest of a group of small islands situated in the Hauraki Gulf. They lie "beyond the Motutapu- Motuihi Channel about ') mile off the northern end of Rakino Island.

Many of the more outlying islands of the Hauraki Gulf and those • to the north have a vegetation which is of interest botanically because of the unusual forms possessed by some of the well-known coastal species found

on theme Coastal bush provides a..plant community which is easily studied, and the small size of Otata Is. (50-60 acres) makes it possible to carry out a fairly complete survey in one day.

Field. Club has made many trips to the Noises, and valuable biological records have been made. The first recorded trip was in May 1933, approximately two years after .most of the island had been burnt over. The following is taken from the account by G.T.3. Bayliss, June 1934s "The southern half of the island, for the most part forming an open valley sloping south-west, is apparently in a more or less primitive condition. -It is covered with scrub -" 5-15 ft. in height or even taller, dominated by Mahoe, with the big-leaved Kawakawa a little less plentiful. In this respect it resembles strikingly an association on one of the Poor Knights Islands (Tawhiti Radii), where the association is more scrubby, Macropiper is largely replaced by Goniostoma 11gustrifolium (leaves large and always fleshy) and Leptospermum scoparium, "but in some places there is almost pure Mahoe. On the steep slopes to the sea on the eastern side of the island, Pohutakawa is> plentiful and Karo

(Pitt osporurn or as s ifolium) may attain considerable 3izee Much.of the northern slope of the island has been burnt, and rabbits, whose burrows are plentiful, no doubt assist to keep it open. Tutu and Flax are dotted over it on the grassy slopes." Further notes from the 1935 excursion mention that the northern slopes of Otata Is. are colonised by an almost pure Danthonia - Flax - Tutu association, growing vigorously after the fire.

This year (1950) an attempt was made to obtain as complete a list as possible of the native plants present. In comparison with the condition of the vegetation recorded the previous trips, the following changes are evi• dent.

The Melicytus scrub .has matured and become dominant over the Macropiper — it is now of uniform height (15 ft.), and the floor is almost . bare. As in 1934? occasional ferns occur beneath the trees (Asplenium luci-,.. dum, Doodia media, Adiantum affine, Ptoris tremula). The Pohutakawa forest has extended inland from the eastern cliffs. A dense scrub dominated by Suttonia australis covers the exposed slopes immediately south of the trig station (Suttonia only occurred, in isolated clumps in 1934). The Danthonia - Flax - Tutu association of the 1935 account has changed considerably. Flax clumps now cover the slopes above the northern sandy beach and towards the- trig. Young Leptospermum scrub has now replaced the grassland, the plants being about 5 ft. in height.

It is'evident from the above that considerable changes have occurred, and on the next Field Club trip, permanent quadrats should be set up in the Mahoe,'Suttonia and Leptospermum communities. Data so obtained would give an accurate indication of the succes3ional changes occurring.

NOISE'S ISLANDS SPECIES LIST

Primarily compiled from notes and specimens collected on the Field Club Excursion, 2nd April, 1950* All names are those according to Cheeseman, 2nd Edition, 1925, un• less otherwise stated.

(o) =rare, (l) = local, (a) = abundant, (f) = frequent, (o) = occasional. - 35 -

PSILOPSJDA ' Psilotum triquetrum (2 specimens - fertile) - new record, Dry grass-covered N.E, cliffs. niLICOPSIDA Asplenium lucidum o( Pohutukawa and Melicytus forest floors,* - A, flaccidum o epiphyte in Pohutukawa forest; (f)rook cliff crev- Doodia media a) Pohutukawa and Melicytus forest floors; 10G£ o) clay cliffs. Dry habitat.* Ad i ant urn hispiduilum seen twice) N.E.' Pohutukawa forest floor, A. offino (o) Pohutukawa forest; (o) to (f) Melicytus forest. Ptcria tremula •(Diel,' .(0) Melicytus forest S. of Trig and above S.W. Boulder Pteridium esculent urn (Porst,,)(a ) Burnt, dry area near Trig.* (Beach. Polypodium dictyopteris Once on Melicytus tree south of Trig, P. diversifolium o) in Melicytus forest.* Cyolophorus serpens o) Epiphybic on Pohutukawa and Melicytus trees. iPERM/»TOPSIDA. •• • ANGIOSPERMAE - Monocotyledons: 1-ramineae,

Poa anceps f) - south side* Danthonia aomiannularis a) above N,W. Bay® Stipa teretifolia One group of plants..* Clay band above H..W«M. , N.W. Bay, Arundo conspicua fa) in Scrub and Plax. Doyouxia billardierj (o) in Pohutukawa forest - south side, .Dichelachne crinata (o). (f) at Trig, Open ground in Pohutukawa forest above N.W. Bay, / Sporobolus indicus. .' . (o) open grass-covered northern cliffs. 'yporaoeac. • • - Mariscus ustulatus ^d) sand above beach - N..W. Bay.* Scirpus nodosus a) near the sea; (o) in clearings.*

Gahnia lacera ko) Pohutukawa forest. - N.E. ' G-» gahniaef ormis fo) Burnt scrub area near Trig, Unoinia australis (o) Pohutukav/a forest - N.E, Carex punila (al) in sand above drift lino - N.W, Bay. G. inversa Pohutukawa forest -E. 0. dissita (f) Pohutukawa forest; (o) elsewhere. jiliaceae. Cordyline australis One tree. In scrub east of Trig, Astelia bahksii 'a) near sea and in Pohutukawa forest floor,* Phormium tenax a) in burnt off area from'Trig down to N.W. Bay,* P«. colensoi f) in scrub near. Trig, Also E.G. 1948«. Dianella intermedia " o) in-Pohutukawa'forest.'

Arthropodium cirrhatum tol), Eastern cliffs. )rchidaceao• Pterostylis trullifolia P.O. 1933«

ANG-IOSPERMAE ^Dicotyledons:. iperaceae Macropiper excelsum var, (f) in Melicytus forest; (o) in'Pohutukawa psittacorum forest, Poporomia urvilleana (ol) Tombolo Is4* 'olygonaceao Muehleribeokia•complexa (f) Scrub near Trig and Eastern Cliffs,*

MB australis Once in eastern Pohutukawa forest.* honopodiaceae : ' Rhagodia nitans o) N.E. Cliffs above sea,* (Also P.O. 1948.) Salioornia australis o) Coastal rock crevices, Tombolo Is. and northern cliffs,.

Species marked with an asterisk wore also found by Field Club in 1934» - 36 -

Aizoacoao Mosomhryanthemum aus trale (o) Rock crevices. Tombolo Is.* Tctragonia trigyna (f) Tombolo Is. and (al) sandy flat near bach, Caryop-hyllaceao Scleranthus biflorus (ol) - Rock, Tombolo Is, Spergularia media (ol) - Rock, Tombolo Is.• Ranuncu.lace ae Clematis (hexasepala?) (no flower or fruit) ~ once. Climbing- over tea-tree. S.W. Bay. Rosaceae Aoaona novae~zelandiae Once in Pohutukav/a forest - N.E, Crassulaoeae Crassula sieberiana Det. Dr. Zotov, syn. Tillaea - Cheesoman, 1925.F.C.1 9i Pittosporaceae Pittosporum crassifolium (f) Pohutukawa forest and open scrub near Trig.* Legurninosae . . Carmichaelia australis . (o) scattered. Eastern Pohutukav/a forest and dry • scrub.near Trig. Geraniaocae - Geranium pilosum. (r) Scrub near Trig and bach.

Oxalidaceaei Qxalis corniculata Northern grassy slopes.* Rutaceae Melicope ternata Single large tree.* Coriariaoeae » , • . , Coriaria ruscifolia (o) Scrub near Trig,* Rhamnaceae Pomaderris phylicaefolia (o) Scrub near Trig and N,E, cliffs, Tiliaceac Entelea arborescens (o) Few largo trees in Melicytus forest - Trig, and above N,W, Bay,* Violaceae Hymenanthera novae-zclandiae (ol) N.E* oliffs and above N.W. Bay.*

Thymelaeaceae 'Pimelea prostrata (o) Grass covered 'slopes - N.E, Myrtaceae Leptospermum scoparium (a) Scrub, on burnt off,area around Trig,* Metrosideros excelsa (a) Climax coastal forest. Mainly eastern slopes (where fire had not reached).* Onagraceae Epilobium nummularifolium (f) In mats in scrub. F.C. 1934» Halo r afcidace ae Haloragis erecta (o) Eastern Pohutukawa forest.* Araliaceae ^^g^^gs^q^£o^^ (r) Eastern Pohutukawa forest. Pa 'lossonii (o) Pohutulcawa forest and Tombolo Is, Umbolliferae • Apium pro stratum . (o) Sand, N.W. Bay and Tombolo Is,* Hydrocotyle novae •.zclandiae Northern grass slopes. F.C. 1934. Crantzia lineata Near shore,"' P.C. 1934, .

* Also found by Field Club in 1 934. - 37

Mysinacoao Suttonia australis (fl) in Scrub near Trig and (o). in Eastern Pohutukawa forest in clumps.*•"'••'• •• - . • Loganiaccae. Geniostoma ligustrifolium (f) Melicytus forest.* Convolvulaceao Calystegia soldanella (Once) in sand. N,W. Bay. Djchondra"ropens (f) Open ground, Pohutukawa forest.* Also P.O. 1948« S crophul ar i ac oae Hche salicifolia (f) Scrub around Trig. (3 inflor. types, P.O. 1934») (Veronica salicifolia - Cheeseman, 1925) Veronica plebeia P.O. 1943, Bet, Dr. Zotov. •Myoperacoac Myoporum laetum (r) above N.W. Bay,* Rubiaceae (Names of Coprosmas according to Oliver, 1935«) Coprosma repens f) rook orevices and cliffs near sea,* C. robusta p) sorub and Pohutukawa forest,

Cc macrocarpa F. C. 1 934 (identified by Dr.-. Oliver) „ • C. australis (o) Pohutukawa forest. Cucurbit aooao, Sicyos angulatA Scrub. Wall and Cranwell - Bot. of. Auck,*'

Campanulaoeao Lobelia anceps (o) open ground near soa, Eastern cliffs. Compositao Gnaphalium lutoo-album ff) grassy slopes, N.E. Cliffs, etc, Cassinia retorta a) Rock near sea and scrub near Trig**. Senecio lautus ,r) Rock crevices, Eastern cliffs;

BRYOPHYTA SPECIES LIST

Compiled from speoimens collected on 2/4/1950. at Otata Is., Noises Is, Grout

T = terrestrialj E s epiphytic,

MJSCI • ' I Pottiaceac Weisia viridula . , T. (L) Hedw. Dixon p, 12». Leskeacoae Thuidium furfurosum • T. (H.f. and W.) Jaeg. Dixon p, 302. S cmat ophyllac o ae S emat ophyllurn amocnum E. (Hedw.) Sainsb, Dixon p. 306, (Syn, Rhaphidostcgium amoenum). Amb ly s t e gi ac o ae Acrocladium auriculatum E. (Mont.) Mitt. Dixon p. 319. Hypnacoao Hypnum cupressiforme TT.. (Hedw.) Dixon p, 336, Bryaccao • Bryum truncorum T. (Brid,) Dixon p., '215.

REPATICAE , ' Lophocolca hotorophylloidos'• F.C. March, 1948, '-..Dot, K.W. Allison. • For olia - sp. • - ' * i" Lojeuna holmsiana F.C, March, 1948, •"; Dot, K.W. Allison.". ~ 38

A feature of the vegetation of the island .was the dearth of bryo- phyteso Whether this was a normal feature of the island's vegetation or whether duo to the long dry spell preceding our visit, only future trips would reveal. Normally the bryophyte component of coastal bush is rathor poor. 1

; LICHENS. A. collection of Lichens v/^s made but not', all .of these have been I * identified,

J BIRD NOTES ON THE NOISES ISLANDS-TRIP. i j; : Several members of our party had excellent views of the. small colony I of Spotted Shags (Stictocarbo punctatus) on Otata (Big Noise) when the Field [ Club visited this island on Sunday, 2nd April. The colony, about hO strong j at this date, is situated on the precipitous cliffs on. the north side of. the island. Four of us scrambled down these cliffs and got to within a few.feet of the birds, where several nests were clearly seen to be still in use, in fact, in at least one, there was a clean white egg. This late breeding record I <• is fairly interesting as the Spotted Shag normally commences nesting in August |; .. •-• and.-continues through until, at the latest, January. Perhaps future trips I may bo able, to check whether this is a regular feature for this colony or whether I it just happened to bo a late season this year,

[' Another interesting find was a double nest of the Grey "Warbler [ (Pseudogerygone igata) in a coprosma shrub. The two nests were placed one I • above the other, the lower one hanging from the upper by several strands of I fine fibrous nesting material.» Whereas the upper was a complete nest, the J lower had had its roof broken through in much the same way as a nest which has j.- reared a shining cuckoo (Chalcites lucidus).

i". • v - I What the explanation of this double nost could be, would be merely I guesswork, for to my knowledge it has not been reported before any many theories j could be put as to its origin. Nevertheless it is well worth recording on . [ • • • the—off-chance that a similar nest may one day be found with the birds in occ~ 1 upation. f — John Davenport. (• >!« # $ >t if % »;< >;« >;< »j< $ & ^ »i< $ >j<' *;< ^ »;< I I ' ALGAE SPECIES LIST OF NOISES IS.', (incomplete). out;, - Vivienne Dellow. I OYANQPHYCEAE i • j Pho rmidium aut umnale , [ • CHLOR OPHYCEAE j Enteromorpha procera Rhizoclonium imploxum : Microdictyon mutabilis : Caulerpa sedpides . Codium ad) '.aerens Derbesia novae-zelandiae BA CILLARIOPHYCEAE Licmophora flabellata j PMEOPHYCEAE I Ectocarpus indicus Splaohnidium rugosum ! Hapalospongidion s axigenum Carpophyllum plumpsurn Carpophyllum maschalocarpum Cystophora torulosa' : Halopteris hordacea Zonaria subarticulata

RHODQPHYCEAE

Liagora harveyana G^Iidium pusilium Champia novae-zelandiae Lome nt aria umbel! at a Phacelocarpus labillardieri' Corallina officinalis . Jania rub ens Apophloea sinclairii Polysiphonia sp. Polysiphonia isogona Pandorea traviersii Ceramium sp#- Laurencia thyrsifera Monospora griffithsioides? . CIadhymenia obiongifolia? F alk e nb e r g i a r uf ol ano s a -39 -

SOME MOLLUSCA PROM THE NOISES. ISLANDS - HAURAKI CUIF" • - .Tohi'i...S.umich,..-

On delving Lack into the records of past excursions and camps in Field Club note hook, one cannot help hut notice the list of molluscs observed during the 1934 and 193.5 trips to fthe Noises Islands. It is plainly stated . .that the lists are by no means complete.- In fact they include only 34 species, but it is quite obvious that the recorders were especially concerned with some group which they actively sought out, and recorded only those others which happened to "hit them in the eye." so to speak. This is obvious when it is seen that (1) of the 34 species, 17 are less than 5 'ram,, and (2)'two closely related families of gasteropods, the Rissoidae-and the. Rissoinidae, are rep-" resented by no less than 13 species all under 1 cm, and most under 5 mms.

However, the striking thing about the lists ia the number of species which either we would not oxpect to find on the Island, or have a larger popul• ation there than elsewhere. Before proceeding with this theme, it is worth• while to mention.that the records state that all the species on the list are fairly common on Otata (Big Noise). Of the 12 bivalves recorded one is rare elsewhere and 2 are'raro in. other localities in the vicinity of Auckland. Thirty-four species of marine.gasteropods are recorded and of these the families Rissoidae and Rissoinidae alone.have listed, 2 species which are rare elsewhere and not less than 7 species Which are rare in the vicinity of Auckland, There is also one gastoropod species usually considered uncommon in the vicinity of Auckland and one which has the note.that it occurs in far larger numbers than is usual locally. •

This list is a very good piece of work and shows that the.author had a good knowledge of Molluscs, but' unfortunately it contains no notes on the habitats of the various forms or their relative abundance, and for"this reason the lists are not of a great deal Gf use to Field Club's present projects.

However, it is evident that here lies fruitful" grounds for further work. Field Club should be prompted by these past records to attempt as full a species list of the Island as possible together with ecological data. If this were contemplated a trip would have to be made which would enable members to tales advantage of a low tide, and if of short duration much collecting would have to be done, and many of the specimens would have to be identified afterwards with the aid of dissecting, and low power microscopes.

Happy hunting'

A M, P H I N E U R A -

' ORDER.; POLYPLACOPHORA.

SUB-ORDER; MESOPLACOPHORA. . IS CHNOChTr ONIDAE.1 . .' : 1755 Ischnochiton maorianus (iredale) (¥)' x"18"'mm.') (F.C, 1935)a CRYPTOCONCHIDAE.

1779 Acanthochiton zelandicus hookeri (Cray) (F.C.,1935).

SUB-ORDER; TEIEOPLACOPHORA.

CHITONIDAE. :"- • • . 1808 Amaurochiton glaucus (Cray) (37 x 22 mm,) (F.C. 1935), 18.12 Ornithochiton neglectus (Rochebrune) (30 x 19 mm.} .(F.C. 1935;,

PBLECYPQDA •

ORDER; FILIBRANCHIA. -. -

' SUB-ORDER; ANOMIACEA,

ANOMIIDAE.

22 Anomia walteri (Hector) (67 x 51 x 16 mm,)

(F.C, 1935)a - 40 -

STB-ORDER: ARGACEA. ARCIDAE. 26 Acar sociella (Brookes) Jlare elsevfhere in the vicinity of Auckland. « (F.C. 1935)* GLYCmBRIPAE, 30 Glycymeris laticostata (Q. & G.) (110 x 105 mm. (F.C, 193^)

SUB-ORDER: MTTILAOEA.

MTTILIPAE. 61 Mybilus canaliculus (Martyn) (172 x 70 111m.) -(1950.) Modiolus neozelanicus (iredale) (25 x 12 mm.) ; (1950.)

ORDER: EULAMELLIBRANOHIA

SUB-ORDER: QSTRACEA.

0STRE1DAE.

100 Saxostrea glomerata (Gould) (80 mm.) (1950.) SUB -ORDER: SUBMIT ILACEA. GARDITIDAE, 1,30 Gardita frrookesi (Pinlay) (30 x 15 mm.) (F.C. 193§Qg Rare elsewhere. UKGULINID.AE,

159 Tar as striatula (Finlay) (F.O. 19350

LKPTOMDAE. 191 Rochefortula reniformis (Suter) (7.2 x 5 mm.) (F.O. 1935.) 197 Hotolepton sanguineum (Hutton) JRare elsewhere in vicinity of Auckland, (3 x 2.7 mm.) (F.O. 1935.-) SUB-ORDER: TELLIHACEA. TELLIN3DAE. 227 Zearcopagia disculus (Deshayes) (38 x 38 mm.) (F.O. 1935.) AffifgDESMATIDAE. 229 Amphidesma subtriangulatum (Wood) (74 x 50 mm.) , ' «• (>950'*) SUB-ORDER: YENERAQEA. VENERIDAE. 251 Tawera spissa (Deshayes) (20 x 15 mm.) (F.O, 1934») SUB-ORDER: MYAOEA, S ANGUINOLARIIDAE.

266 Gari stangeri (Gray) (55 x 33 mm.) (F.O. 1934.) ERODONIDAE.

272 Notocorbula zeiandica (Q. & G.) (13.5 x 9 mm.) (F.O. 1935.) HIATELLIDAE. 273 Hiatella australis (Lamarclc) (17 mm.) (F.O. 1935.) SUB-ORDER: ADESI u GĒA. PHOLADIDAE. 276 Anohomasa similis (Gray) (68 x 22 mm.) -.(1950.)

GASTEROPODA

SUB-CLASS:: STREPT03MRA.

ORDER: ASPIDOBRANOHIA

SUB-ORDER: DOCOCTLOSSA. PAT EILOIDIDAE. 509 Notoacmea pileopsis (Q. & G.) (28 x 25 mm.) (F. C. 1950,) - 41 -

518 Notoaomea parviconoidea (Suter) (4.5 x 4 Kim*) . .(1950*) 515 Notoaomea dacdad a. ~(S ut er ) (7 x 5.5 mm.) (F.C. 1935.) PATELLIDAE. 523 Qellana radians (Gmelin 44 x 33 mm.) .(1950.) 529 Qellana ornata (Dillwyn 32 x 25 mm. H.W.M. ) (F.C. 1935). SUB-ORDIR RHIPIDQCLOSSA. HALIOTIDAE. 313 Haliotis iris (Martyn) (— 140 mm.) (F.C. 1935.) FISSURELL3DAE. 321 Tugali elegans (Gray) (43 x 26 mm.) (F.C. 1935. 325 Tugali suteri bascauda (Hedley) Usually uncommon. (F.C 1935. TRQCHIDAE. 346 Thoristella oprec-ae. (Hutton) (6 x 5*5 mm.) (P.C. 1935.) Par larger numbers than elsewhere locally 357 Zediloma atrovirens (Phillips) (23 x 17 mm.) (1950) 358 Zediloma morio (Troschel) (14 x 12 mm.) (I95O) 360 Anisodiloma lugubris (Gmelin) (15 x 13 ram.) (P.O. 1934). 377 Micrelenchus dilatatus (Sowerby) (8x8 ma,) (P.O.. 1935.) 'Common on "weed at low water* ST QMAT ELLIDAE. 381 '"'Herpetopoma bolla (Hutton) (6.5 x 6.5 mm.) (F.C. 1935.) TURBMDAE. 488 Lunella smarai-rTa (Martyn) (70 x 73 ram.) 1950) 49^ Cookia sulcata (Martyn) (9Q x 80 nin.j. • (1950). NERITIDAE.; •,.•.•.<..

493 Ncrita melan-'-agus (Smith) (35 x 31 mm.) (F.C. 1934.)

ORDER: PECTINIBRANCHIA' . ,/ SUB-ORDEL: i TAENIOGLQSSA. . , TRIBE: MPODA, LITT OR INIDAE. 551 Melarhaphe oliverl (Finlay) (9.5 x mm .') (F.C* 1935.) RISSOIDAE. " 578 Austronoba carnosa (Webster) (3 x, 1.3 mm.)/'.. , , „ (F.'c; 1935.) 594 Estea impressa inutton) (2.3 x 1.2 mm.) ' (F.c/ 1935.7 (Rare in vicinity of Auckland.' 596 Estea subfusca (Button) (2,5 ••x-,1,25i/' (F...C, 1i935.); , Rare in vicinity -of Auckland* d.;.. 598 EstLa acmiplicata (Powell) . (Rare elsewhere.) (F.C. (ii93j>,)) 600 Estea minor (Sjtcr) (2.5 x :.75 ao.). (F.C. 1,935.) .Rare in. vicinity of Auckland. .•, 625 Mcrelina lyaj" iajr^a_(Sutor ^5 x 1.5 ram.) (F..C, 11935.,); 671 Notosetia micv s vVebstcr 1,5 x,1 .mm.) .1 ; i: (F.C. 1935.) Rare elsewhere. 695Scrobs hedley'. (Suter) (1.2 x .7 ran.) (F.C. 1935.) Rare in vicinity of Auckland.^* ,• 70SDardanula olivaooa (Hutton) (3x2 ran. (F.C. 1935.) (2 x 1.5 mm.) (F.C. 1935.) 709 'Dardanula ol.i. -oja, annulata (Button) Rare in vicinity of Aucklahd.,-;/ (2,7 x 1.5; mm;) (F * C. • 1 710 Dardanula olrrao^^ lutea (Suter) Rare in vicinity of Auckland.

RISSOINIDAE. (7.5 X 3 ram,') F/C 1935.: 729 R-i-sspina chathamensis (Hutton) Rare in vicinity F.C. 1935. 730 Rissoina achatina (Finlay) ,. of Auckland; CERJTHIIDAE. • • 791 Lyroseila chathamensis (Suter) (10 x 3.2 mm.) (F.C. 1935.) - h2 -

CREPIDULIDAE. 829 Maori crypt a monoxyla (Lesson) (—^25 ma.) 0?.G. 1935») GALIPIRAEIDAE. 830 Sigapatclla novaezelandiao (Lesson) (33 X 10 mm.) (1950)

SUB-ORDER? STENOGLQSSA. TRIBE: RAOBTOGLOSSA. PASCIOLARIIPiE.

IO25 Tar on dubius (Button) (11 x 10.5 mm..) (1950) BUGCIM&IDAE. IO7I Buccinulum hetoromorphom (Powell) (19 x 9 mm.) (P.O. 1935.) Q0MI3SDBLLIDAE. 1104 Oominella virgata fH* & A, Adams) (36 x 18 mra.) (1950) 1113 Oominella guoyana (A. Adorns) (23 x 10 mm.) (P.O. |935.) MURIQ3DAE. 1139 Xymene plebejus (Hutton) (16 x 8 mm.) (1950) 1152 Paratrophon stangeri (Gray) - (31.5 x 18 mm.) (P.O. 1935.) THAIS IPAE. 1163 Noothais scalaris (Menke) (110 x 73 mm.) (1950)

1164 Lepsia liaust rum"TMartyn) (62 x 39 mm.) (P.O. 1935#i 1166 Lopsiella scobina albomarginata (Deshayej (26 x 113 mm.) (1950) PYRENIDAE. 1180 Zemitrella chaoua (Roove) (6.5 x 3 mm.) (P.O. 1935.)

ORDER: PUBIONATA

SUB-ORDER: STHjOMATOPHORA . TRIBE: HQLQGNATHA. PMM/[ULI^IIDAE (Land Snails)*

1532 Tjierasia decidua (Pfeiffer) (—£ 9.5 mm.) (P.O. 1934.) CKAROPIDAE (Land Snails)* 1615 Feetola caput-spinuiae (Reeve) (1,5 x .5 mm.) (P.O. 1934.) LAOMIDAE (Land Snails)* 16^4 Phrixgnathus- conella (Pfeiffor) (1*5 z ,5 m*) (P.0, 1934.)

TRIBE: AGNATHA. ..: PARAPfiAMTIDAE (Land Snails j* 1735 Delos coresia (Gray) (i.5 x .5 rum.) (P.O. 1934.)

* All Land Snails found under dead Mahoe leaves. - 43 -

SOME NOTES ON THE VEGETATION OF THE HttlA REGION - Rex Mirarns.

Huia is situated on the shores of the Manukau Harbour at the southern end of the Waitakere Ranges, The average elevation of the ranges is about 1,000 ft,, but, and especially in the Huia region, there are occ• asional higher peaks as, for example, Te Toro Kawharu (1506 ft.) — near Nuggett's Lookout, Also near here an unnamed peak reaches a height of 1580 ft. Vigorous short streams have carved characteristic steep walled deep gorges causing very strong relief. The rainfall is considerably higher than that of Auckland Oity, more than 100 ins, having been recorded for one year in the upper part of the Huia Valley (Middle Gamp),

In its primeval state the Huia region was covered with dense rain forests but over a period of 90 years or so many changes have taken place, especially in the lower parts of the valley. Vast forests of Kauri must have covered this region for large stumps, 4, 5, 6 and more feet in diameter, arc to be found in many places in the Leptospermum scrub. It is interesting to note that one of the first power driven saw mills in New Zealand was, located here.

Today the vegetation is showing the effect of man's interference and where there were formerly dense forests there is now only a thick growth of scrub. In the early stages this is dominated by Leptospermum scoparium- but as the sere advances L. ericoides is likely to become co-dominant along with A. australis. An examination of the ground and shrub strata shows that many of the force'L trees are present as seedlings, saplings etc, in this locality and that the scrub is in fact potential Kauri forest. Some' of the more typical species to be found in this community are: Cyathea dealbat.a, , Gahnia xanthocarpa, Coprosma. lucida, Geniostoma ligustrifolium, Leucopdgbn

f asciculatus, Melicytus ramif lor us, M, macrophyllus, Olearia f urfuraceae '3"' Pseudopanax crassifolium, Senecio kirkii, Suttonia australis etc.

Most of the above species fall into the second stratum of small trees and tall shrubs. Beneath this is another layer of vegetation com• posed of ferns, grasses, seedlings of first-and second storey species etc,: Blechnum fraseri, Blechnum procerum, Lindsaya linearis, Lyoopodium densum, So ho onus tondo, L." anella intermedia, and small seedlings of such trees as Dacrydium cuprcssinum, Phyllocladus trichomanoides (at times this species is on-dominant with Agathis and L. ericoides), Podocarpus totara, Rhopalostylis sapida, Alseuosmia macrophylla, Hedycarya arborea, Knightia excelsa, Notho- panax arborcum, Olea spp,, Rubus spp,, etc.

The ground whore it is exposed is usually covered with a thick fcarpet of moss. Dense communities of tree ferns arc occasionally encountered ;in dry sheltered patches beneath the main canopy. Virtually no other under• growth species are to be found in these situations, possibly due to the reduced illumination or the peculiar dry harsh type of litter produced by the ferns themselves. Two species encountered in the tea-tree were Libooedrus plumosa and more interesting Dacrydium Kirkii with its peculiar juvenile and adult foliago. Both of these, the latter especially, are worthy of note.

In the upper parts of the valley and between the Huia Valley and the coast there has been little milling, especially on the ridges. This region is covered with the typical mixed forest of the Waitakere Ranges, some of the main canopy forming trees being Metrosideros robusta, Elaeocarpus dentatus and the taxads Dacrydium cupressinum, Podocarpus dacrydioides, P» ferrugineus, P, totara. Of the smaller trees Dysoxylum spectabile and Carpo- detus serratus, to mention only two, are common. In many plo.ees the ground is covered with dense masses.of Freycinetia banksii, often intermixed with supplejack (Rhipogpnum scandens-)> Occasional small patches of almost pure Kauri are encountered along-with "Kauri grass" and the usual associated species.

The mixed rain forest is also seen in its natural state along Christie fs track running from the tram line to the Nihotapu Dam. On many wet banks beside the track are to be seen masses of the moisture loving Elatostema rugoaum, here also is to be found a rich flora of filmy ferns and bryophytes. - 44 ~

In the immediate vicinity of the dam many of the larger trees, Kauri especially, have been milled and there seems to be an induced dominance of Metrosideros robust a, which, however, grades into the ordinary mixsd forest and the distinction is not very clear cut.

Within the rain forest as a whole there are numerous distinct comm• unities, e.g. Beilschmiedia tar-airi, which forms an almost pure stand in at least one locality. Other distinct associations are to be found along the lower banks of stream valleys and on shaded clay banks of southerly aspects.

Time did not permit of a thorough examination of the following communities. Nearer the coast (towards Whatipu) the Leptospermum vegetation does not appear to be part of a sere but forms more of a community of its own. On the coast itself are patches of coastal forest with Corynocarpus laevigata and Metrosideros robust a. There are also areas of sand dune vege• tation, fresh water swamps and the typical herbaceous covering on the numerous rocky faces of the cliffs.

HUIA SPECIES LIST

This list has been compiled from notes and observations made over the following tracks. Prom the bridge at the mouth of the Huia stream along the Whatipu Road to the Karamatura track turn-off (Coastal vegetation). Up the Karamatura Valley (from paddocks and Manuka scrub to heavy bush as at the Karamatura falls). Upper Karamatura track to burnt over ridge of tall Leptospermum scrub. By Ridge track to Nugget's Lookout - 1506 ft, Down Nugget's track to the Huia Dam (Kauri forest). Down the Huia tram-line to tho Nihotapu Dam turn-off. Along Christie's track (mixed heavy bush) to the

Nihotapu Dam and round the City Council Road to the West Coast Road.

All names are according to Cheeseman, 2nd Edition, 1925> unless otherwise stated.

PSILOPSIDA. Tmesipteris tannensls (o) epiphyte on Cyathea dealbata. Frequent on Nuggets and Ridge Tracks.

LICOPSIDA Lycopodium varium (r) found once epiphytic. Ridge Track - 1200 ft. L, billardieri. Infrequent, Eidge Track. L. densum (al) in regenerating Kauri and Leptospermum scrub. Lower Karamatura. L« cernuum. Ridge, Track. regenerating Kauri and tram-line cuttings. L. volubile Clay "feanlcs. Tram-line cuttings.

FILICOPSIDA. Hymenophyllum rarum (o) epiphytic on Cyathea dealbata. Ridge Track. H. sanguinolentum (0) epiphytic on Cyathea dealbata. Ridge track, H. villosum (r) terrestrial in moss. Karamatura Falls. H. australe Pound once. Terrestrial in moss. Karamatura Falls, H. dilatatum (f) epiphytic. Ridge Track and Christies Track., H. demissum if) epiphyte in denser shade. Ridge and Nugget Tracks* H. flabollatum (f) epiphytic on dry trunks and tree ferns. Karamatura and Ridge Tracks, H. ferrugineum (al) epiphytic. Ridge track, H. tunbridgense (01) epiphyte. P.O. 1^48. Oardiomanes reniformo (o) Georges Creek, Middle Camp, Karamatura and Christies Tracks, Trichomanes venosum (f) epiphytic. Ridge Track. T, lyalli (r) found once. Christies Trade, T. elongatum Infrequent. Terrestrial on bank. Christies Track. Dicksonia squarrosa (f) in regenerating bush, (a) by streamsides. Christies, Karamatura and Nihotapu Trades, ­ 45 ~

Cyathea dealbata Frequent everywhere. C, ..medullaris (f) heavy bush. Christies and Lower Karamatura Tracks, Homitolia smithii (o) Christies and Ridge Tracks, Foiystichum richardii (o) near coast. Lower. Karamatura Track,

P, hispidum (once). 'N0t Common. Christies Track. Dryopteris pennigera .(f) shaded banks. George's Creek, Christies Track and Huia tram­line, Lindsaya cuneata o) Ridge Track and Huia (regenerating Kauri), L, linearis o) Regenerating Kauri. Huia tram­line. L, viridis One patch on damp bank, . George's Creek, Middle Camp, Asplenium adiantoides (o) epiphytic in damp bush. Ridge and Christies A. lucidum (f) Christies and Ridge.Tracks. (Tracks., A. bulbiferum (f) forest floor, Christies and Ridge Tracks, Blechnum patersoni r) Bank by side of Georges Creek, Middle Camp, B, discolour o) Dry.forest floor* Christies and Upper Kara­ matura Tracks, B. lanoeolatum (o) Banks ­ Christies Track. B. procerum (f) Streamsid­es, (Syn, B, o8.pen.se ­ Cheeseman, 1925)» • B. pr peer urn var­. minor Manuka scrub, 1000' ­ Upper Karamatura Track... B. fili'forme f) Christies, (o) Ridge and Karamatura Tracks.­ B. fluviatile —(f) Christies Track, B», fraseri regenerating Kauri. Nuggets and Christies Tracks, Doodia media . open coastal bush. Lower Karamatura..­ Adiantum affine o) floor of open bush, Lower Karamatura and Ridge A. hispidulum o) near coast. Lower Karamatura. (Tracks, Histiopteris incisa o) clearings ­ lower tram­line, Pteridium escu.; e nturn al) clearings and roadside, Polypodium billaidieri o) Christies track, Ridge Track. P, FXammit idis (o) Nuggets, Christies and Ridge Tracks. Epiphytic" on Cyathea dealbata. P. dietyopt eri­ Not common. Epiphytic on Cyathea dealbata. Christies track, P. pustulatum (f) epiphyte. Karamatura, Ridge, Christies Tracks, P. diversifolium (o) Damp bush. Christies, Lower Karamatura Tracks, Cyclophorus serions (o) Lower Karamatura and coast. Epiphytic and on rooks. Gloichenia aireirca (fl) Patches in regenerating Kauri, Nuggets Track, G... dicarpa (o) Regenerating kauri above Huia Dam­* G.,. cunninghamii (o) Gledrings in bush ­ Huia tram­line. Christies,

Nuggets and Ridge Tracks. Pteris tremula o) Open bush, Ridge Track. P. macilenta o) Christies track, tramline, lower Karamatura. Paesia scaberula (a) open areas. Christies track and tram­line,­ • Lygodium articul V'TUEI (f) mature Kauri forest. Karamatura, Nuggets and Christies Tracks,

Leptopteris hymenophyllo ides (r) heavy bush, Ridge Track,

SETOJATQPSIDA GI2­iN0SPERM::E: Pinaceae Agathis australis (fl) dominant. Lower Karamatura. Above Huia Dam and between Pīuia and Nihotapu Dams, Libocedrus plumn•rl a (o) ­ young plants, Christies Track, Taxaceae Podocarpus totara o) scattered in mixed forest. Nuggets, Karamatura, P, hall3.n. o) Ridge track. (Christies, Ridge Tracks,

P. ferruginous (o) Christies, Nuggets and Ridge Tracks and Upper Karamatura Valley, P, spicatus (r) ono tree. Lov/er Karamatura, P. dacrydioides (o) Huia dam area and Christies track ­ Heavy bush. Dacrydium oupressinum Frequent in mixed podocarpus forest, Christies & Nugget; D. kirkii (r) regenerating Kauri, Between Huia and Parau, Phyllocladus trichomanoides (al) regenerating Kauri. - 46 -

ANGIOSEERMftEi - Monocotyledons. Typhaccac Typha angustifolia (o) only in swamp, mouth of Huia Stream, Pandanaceae

Frcycinetia banksii (f) Huia, Karamatura Valley, Christies Track, Naiadaccae

Zostera nana (a) Mud - Huia Bay. Graminaceae Danthonia semi-annularis Abundant Christies Track. Huia tramline. Microlaena avonacea (f) on Christies - Nuggets Track. Sporobolus indicus (o) Huia tramline. Arundo conspicua to) stream above Kiddle Camp. Mouth of Huia stream, Dichelachne crinita (f) Christies and tramline. Cyporaceae Kyllinga brcvifolia ffl) Lower Karamatura Valley. Marisous us tui at us LOI) coastal and lower Huia tram-lino. Eloocharis acuta 1 near mouth of Huia stream, E, cunninpjiami i Huia tramline. Scirpus cernuus mouth of Huia stream and Lower Karamatura.., 3.4 inundatus strcamsidos. Huia stream and other damp places, 3. nodosus swamp, Lower Huia stream, Lov^er Karamatura.. S. laoustris swamp, Lower Huia stream, Schocnus tendo re genor at ing.Kauri• Lower Karamatura. S, axillaris ' Huia tram-line, Christies Track. Cladium sinciairii * rock faces, Huia stream and Nihotupu Rd. Lopidosporma laterale (fl) regenerating Kauri. Above caves, Lower Karamatursi Gahnia setifolia (f) Nuggets Ridge• Huia Railway. G. pauciflora Infrequent - reg nerating Kauri* Lower Karamatura,. G. xanthooarpa Jf) in ILeptospermum scrub near Huia Railway, G. lacera o) Huia tramline. G. gahniacformis ff ) dry open Leptospermum scrub. Lower Karamatura. Uncinia australis ff) forest floor. (a) Christies Track, U. leptostachya .once) Nuggets Track. U. riparia ^o) dry and open forest floor, (al) Christies Track, Carex sect a infrequent. Lower Karamatura. C. ternaria (ol) Lower Karamatura. C. dissita (f) tracksides and forest clearings. Palmaceac Rhopalostylis sapida (o) heavy bush, Christies and Ridge Tracks, Juncaceac Juncus vaginatus (ol) Huia stream, J. polyanthemus 'o) swampy ground* Lower Huia tram-line. J. planifolius If) banksides, Georges Creek, Middle Camp, J. lampocarpus >) Lower Karamatura and Huia Tram-line, Luzula campestris ,fl) rock faces. Lower Karamatura, Liliaceao Rhipogonum scandens (f) forest scrambler, Christies Track, Cordyline banksii (o) Christies and Karamatura Tracks, C. australis (o) open bush. Lower Karamatura, 0. pumilio Infrequent. - open forest floor. Upper Karamatura.-. A.qtelia solandri (f) forest epkphyte, (Syn, A. eunningliamii. Cheesem. A. banksii (fl) rock faces. Lower Karamatura. (1925). A. trineria Kauri forest floor. Nuggets Track, Collospermum hastatum Dianella intermedia (f) tracksides. Christies Track, Phormium tenax o) Lower Huia stream. P. colensoi o) streamsides, Georges Greek, Cliffs, Middle Camp, and Huia Stream, Lower Karamatura. Arthropodium eirrhatum (o) rock faces. Lower Karrjiiatura. - 47 -

Iridaooae Lxbortia pulchclla One patch. Ridge Track, Orohidaceae Dendrobiura cunninghamii o) forest epiphyte. Ridge Track. Bullaophyllum pygpaeum o) epiphyte.on'tall forest trees.* Earina a.utumnalis (o) forest epiphyte. Karamatura Track, 1 E. n,uor rata (f) forest epiphyte. Sarpophia.ua, adversus* Orthoceras strictum (o) roadside.* Thelymitra carnea var. imbirtus.* (after Hatch) Thelymitra longifolia (o) roadside, Huia,* Microtia unifolia (o) Clay hanks, Huia,* Pterostylis trullifolia* (Hook, f.) P. montana Hatch var. rubricaulis (Mat. h.) Hatch.* P. banksii R. Br. (oj forest floor.* P. barbr.ta* Caladeixta carnea R. Br. var. minor (Hook. f.) Hatch.* Aplar.-!->'---, f-T-m^tus R.Br. Pro&r. var. sinclairii (Hook, f.) Hh. A,, renit'or.yla (R.Br.") bchltr. var. oblbongus (Hook, f.) Rath. Chiloglottis oornuta* Oorybas raicranthus (Hook, f.) Reichb. One patch, George's Greek, Middle Gamp. G. oblongn.* (Hook, f.) Reich. * G. aconitiflorus Salisb,*

* Found from Goat Hill to Huia, (M.3", Simpson)

ANGIOSPERMAE; - Diootyledons Piperaceae Macropiper excelsum (o) Lower Karamatura Track (under cliffs) i- Pcparcini'i urvilliana (o) rock faces - Lower Karamatura Track. Moraceae Paratrophis macrophylla Once - Lower Karamatura, Goat Hill to Huia -O^Simpso©). llrticaceae Elatostema rugosum (f) wet hanks. Georges Crook, Middle Gamp, Polygo nace ae ' Muehleribec;'.a australis (o) Upper Karamatura Track.

Protoaceae Pc.raoonia toru o) Nuggets Track, Knightla cxcelsa o) Kauri Forest. RanunciAlaoeac —i" i) r>,«. 1 1 * Clematis indivisa (o) forest climber. G.. hexasepala Once - rock.cliffs. Lower Karamatura Track, Ranunculus hirtus (f) damp forest floor. Monimiaceae• Hedycarya arborea o) forest throughout. Laurelia x.ovae-zelandiae r) Lower Karamatura Track, Lauraoeae Beilschmiedia tawa o) heavy hush, Christies Track, Litsaea caljcaris o) Lower Karamatura ' rack. Droseraceao Drosera auriculata (o) dry clay hanks. Goat Hiil - Huia -(M. J. Simpson.) Saxifragaooae Quintinia serrata (bl) Upper Karamatura Track. • Ixerba brexioides (ô..) Upper Karamatura Track, Garpodetus serratus (?) juvenile. Open forest and Manuka scrub. -48 -

Pittosporaceae Pittosporum tenuifoliusi (o) Leptospermum scrub and open forest, Karamatura Valle, P, orassifolium (o) coastal, 1950) P. cllipticum One or two trees, coastal, Huia. (flowered late August* P. eugeniqidea ol) Karatura Track and Goat Hill (M. J.Simpson)* P» oornifolium r) epiphytic ori Pohutukawa, Goat Hill to Huia, M.J. Simpson) and Lower Karamatura Traok, Rosaoeae Rubus australis Fbrst. f * Infrequent throughout, (o) Upper Karamatura Track. E. cissoides A. Cunn. (0) throughout. Acaena sanguisorbae Infrequent - trade and road sides. Leguminosae Carmichaelia australis Goat Hill - Huia (M.J. Simpson), Edwardsia microphylla (01) near Oaves. Lower Karamatura Track, Geraniaoeae Geranium dissectum (o) in rank grass, Rutaoeae Phebalium nudum fl) regenerating Kauri - Lower Karamatura, Melicope ternata o) coastal - Lower Karamatura, Meljaceae Dyaoxylum speotabile (o) forest throughout, (fl) Christies Track, Coriariaoeae Coriaria ruscifolia Infrequent on road sides and Huia tramline* Corynocarpaceae Gorynooarpus laevigata (r) Lower Karamatura track, Sapindaceg.e Alectryon cxcelsum (r) open forest. Seedlings more frequent on forest floor, Dodonea viscosa (f,l) in Leptospermum scrub near Middle Camp..

Rhamnaoeae Pomaderris phylioaefolia Infrequent on roadsides and Huia tramline... Elaeocarpaceae Elaeocarpus dentatus fr) open bush. i\ristotelia serrata (A. racemosa - Chocsoman, 1925). Infrequent, locally common in Karamatura Valley. Tiliaooae Entelea aborescens (r) Lower Karamatura near stream. Malvaceae Plagianthus dlyaricatus (ol) salt marsh,, Mouth of Huia. Stream,^ Hoheria populnea Infrequent in open bush - Karamatura, H. sexstylosa Possibly more frequent than H. populnea. Violaoe&e Mellcytus ramiflorus f) open bush, more towards coast, M. macrophyllus f) in forest. Passif1oraceae Tctrapathaea tctrandra- (r) - Lower Karamatura. Goat Hill - Huia (M, Simpson.] Thymelaeaceee Pimelea prostrata (r) on exposed banks and rock,

Myrtaceae Leptospermum seoparium (f )• fccoughout ©pen bush, (a) as dominant in scrub lareas where cleared ©r burnt off, - 49 -

L, ericoides (ol) regenerating Kauri. Metrosideros soandens (Forst.) Druce. (f) forest climber. Ridge Track. M. diffusa (Forst.) W.R.Oliver. Infrequent. Huia, M. robusta (o) forest tree. Christies Track. H. excelsa Sol. ex. Gaertn. (o) coastal, Huia. M. perforata (Forst.) Rich, (f) in open places, Myrtus bullata (r) Ridge Track, 3:enia rnaire (r) a few trees. Coastal - Huia. Onagraceae Epilobium pubens (r) damp side banks, Karamatura Track. Road cuttings, Fihotupu. Dam. E. rotundifolium f) in crevices of rock banks, Lower Karamatura. E, nummularifolium fl) in rock crevices with E. rotundifolium, (0) stream bed, Fuchsia excorticata (01) Karamatura Valley. Haloragidace ae Haloragus erecta (o) on- clay roadsides and in open scrub.- Araliaoeae Nothopanax arboreurn (f) throughout. Schefflora digitata o) in open bush, streamsides and tracksides, Pseudopanax crassifolium o) open bush and regenerating Kauri, Umbelliferae Hydrocotyle elongata Infrequent in damp places, Bankside, Huia Stream, Centella asiatica (c) on open ground - Huia tramline, Angelica rosaefolia (o) on rocks near coast. Lower Karamatura. Apium prostratum Not common. Mouth of Huia Stream. Cornaceae Corokia buddleoides Infrequent in open bush. C, buddleoides x cotoneaster. Near the Caves, Lower Karamatura, C, cotoneaster Probably occurs above Caves with hybrids, Ericaceae Gaultheria rupestris (o) clay banl.cs and coastal. Epaoridaceae Cyatnodes acerosa (0) regenerating Kauri, (f) teatree scrub. Leucopogon fasciculatus More frequent and widely distributed than C. acerosa, L. fraseri (01) Lower Karamatura. Dracophyllum latifolium Infrequent - occurs in regenerating Kauri, Myrsinaceae Suttonia salicina Infrequent. Ridge Track, S. australis (o) near coast. Primulaceae Samolus repens (o) salt marsh - mouth of Huia Stream, Oleaceae Qlea lanceolata Infrequent. Karamatura and Ridge Tracks, 0. cunninghamii (r) Karamatura and Ridge Tracks, Loganiaceae

Geniostoma ligustrifolium (c) throughout* Apo c yanaceae Parsonsia heterophylla. (f) regenerating Kauri, Lower Karamatura. Convolvulaceae Calystegia sepium (if) lowermost Huia tramline. C. tuguriorum Goat Hill to Huia (M,J, Simpson), C, soldanella Goat Hill to Huia (M.J. Simpson). - 50 -

Verbenaceae Vitex lucens Restricted to near coast. Lower Karamatura, Solanaceae Solanum nigrum f) track sides and mixed scrub, S. aviculare r) Lower Karamatura Valley. Scrophulariaceae Hebe (salicifolia type) (o) open streamsides and roadsides. H. macrocarpa hybrid Goat Hill to Huia (M,J. Simpson)• Gesneriaceae Rhabdothgonnus solandri (o) near rock faces in bush, Karamatura, Rubiaceae Coprosma australis A. Rich, (f) in Leptospermum scrub and bush. c. lucida Infrequent - coastal. Lower Karamatura, c. robust a Jc) open places in bush. c. arborea .1) common. Lower Karamatura, C. tenuicaulis o) Huia tramline and Christies Trach. C. rhamnoides if) Lcwer Karamatura,

Nertera cunninghamii kal) forest floor* Huia tramline, (f) open ground. N. dichondraefolia Infrequent. Karamatura and Huia tramline. . . c. Galium umbrosum Huia tramline and Lower Karamatura Palls. Gapr ifoliaoeae Alseuosmia macrophylla Ridge and Lower Karamatura Tracks. Campanul aoeae* * Pratia anpulata f) stream side pebbles, Georges Creek, Middle Camp,

Lobelia anceps o) L0wer Karamatura'Track, Goodeniaoeae Selliera radicans (o) Salt marsh - Mouth of Huia Stream. Compositae Lagenphora pumila Goat Hill to Huia (M.J, Simpson). Olearia furfuracea Scrub, Lower and Upper Karamatura. Coastal and Huia tramline, 0. rani (Syn* 0, cunninghamii Cheeseman 1925). (o) throughout open bush, Gnaphalium keriense Karamatura Track, Huia stream and Nihotupu Dam road., G. lutoo -album (o) in grasslands. Roadsides Huia tramline and Lower Karamatura, Cotula coronopifolia (o) North of Karamatura and Huia Stream,, Brachyglottis repanda loi open bush.

Senecio kirkii (f) regenerating Kauri. G0orges Creek, Middle Camp.

** Also Wahleribcrgia gracilis.Goat Hill to Huia (M.J, Simpson).

; :? $ $ $ & $ 'fi •>> >r # V 'fi * -fi i- -51 -

A STUDY OF THE LIFE OF A PEBBLE BEACH - OOROMANDEL PENINSULA.

"by Colwyn Trevarthen and Dick Kulka. May, 1950.

SIMKRY. 1. An apparently "barren storm beach of stones showed, on investigation, a large population of animals with an orderly vertical arrangement. 2. The locality and structure of the beach is briefly described. Some temperature data is given. 3. Explanation is given of the method of investigation, which took the form of observations about a line traverse, eleven stations being used, 4- A brief ecological account is given of each species. The following species were considered physiognomic:- Marinula filholi, Cyclograpsus lavouxi, Zediloma digna, Zediloma. rnorio, Merita melanotragus, Petrolisthes elongatus, Heterozius rotundifrons, Anomonia olivacea, Cominella virgata, and encrusting algae (these were the only plants present). 5. Note is made of some of the "significant" intertidal species (indicator species) absent here and some reasons for their absence are suggested, Brachyrhyncous crabs formed an interesting section of the fauna, 6, A frequency graph of Ner it a me lanot r agus is given with indication of average size near the upper and lower limits.

INTRODUCTION.

At first glance, a gentle slope of rounded stones in the intertidal region is not attractive to a worker concerned with littoral life; in most cases it 'would be regarded by him as a blank in the coastal features - a biologioal semi-desert. However, on looking into just such a beach the authors found that, underneath the apparent paucity of life on the surface, there exists a considerable variety of animals among and beneath the stones which, moreover, show a distinct vertical zonation of a highly specialised kind. The animals present had been sifted as it were from among the intertidal forms and sel• ected by virtue of their ability to live in the rather limiting habitat. Thus the fauna was found to consist of a group of animals which would normally be quite unimportant on the coast, the ecologically significant species of the rocky shore being quite absent.

It is evident that the data obtained from this study will contribute nothing to the general problems of intertidal zonation but it is expected that a similar arrangement of species will be found on investigation of any similar habitat.

LOCALITY AND SURROUNDINGS.

The beach is on the very outermost northern coast of the Coromandel Peninsula some 2-3 miles west of Cape Colville and between Fletcher's Bay and the Pinnacle Rocks, being about half a mile from the latter. It faces about N.W,., the line of the traverse being slightly north of this, and is thus exposed to the sun throughout the day, A large reef about half a mile out to sea and several rocks further inshore combine to modify the wave effects, and exposure is much less than at the pinnacles nearby. Due to the reduction in the movement of the water by the rocks the bottom here slopes gradually and is composed of a deposition of sand and, to a lesser extent, fine silt-like mud. The stones composing the beach give way at low water to sand from which project rock flats and reeflets. Inland the storm bank of pebbles stops its ascent abruptly at about 4 feet above E.H.W.S. From here towards the fringe of the land vegetation is a relatively wide level stretch of bare pebbles.

STRUCTURE AND PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE BEACH.

The beach may be divided into two portions resulting from the sorting action of the waves on the stones. One of these extends from the top of the beach ridge to about M.H.W.N, , the other from below M.H.W.N. to the end of the stones bejjYjeen M.L.W.N, and M.L.W.M. Over the junction between these two regions at M.H.W.N, is a deposit of sea-weed debris left by the tide. In the — 52 —

U£$>or portion the slope is about 1 in £ and the irregular rounded pebbles range in average diameter from 2" to 5". Further down -towards the sea the stones arc often much largor. There appear to be 2, groups, one including those with an .verage diameter of 1' to 1*6*** the remainder being about the size of the stones in the upper Region above the seaweed. Only larger rocks occupy the surface while underneath they are mixed with the smaller ones which have settled between them. The slope here is about i in 9.

Sand is deposited by the sea and settles between the stones. From the lowest of the pebbles the sand level follows the slope of the beaoh occ• urring at ah ever increasing, depth beXov. the top of the stones immediately above (see diagram, of traverse)*

The belt of seaweed debris provides considerable local peculiarities chiefly in connection wit& moisture retention. Beneath the rotting vegetation the stones are kept moist throughout, while elsewhere the uppermost stones are subjected to maximum insolation and dry out very quickly when the tide recedes. Rotting seaweed occurs &aong the stones above and below" the surface belt and the stones under tho top layer or layers have their surfaces kept moist by a film of organic matter. When the stones are larger drying extends further be• low the surface as air drying can be more deeply effective. The ability of sand to retain water has considerable effect towards the bottom of the traverse whore the sand level is not far from the surface. At the lowest levels small pools may be retained under the stones.

Tho following temperatures were taken at about 4 p»m. with the sun clear and a slight brecge. A few drops of rain had fallen during the day. 1. Air temperature % yard above the stones between stations II and III ~ 20°0. 2. Air temperature 2M above stones between stations XI and XII * &3*30C» • 3. Temperature on side of surface pebble heated by sun between stations II and III s 24»5°C

4« Air temperature «taout 2** down in a crevice between stations II and III = 22°C. 5. Air temperature abotit 1 ft. down near II in wet stones a 17«5°C « 18°£

6. Temperature! within seaweed debris ». 21°C»

Temperature J indicates the nigh temperature that would be attained during summer with the -su$ fully exposed. Temperatures 2 and 3 show the heating effects the surface stones have on the surrounding air and it is not• iceable that this is more p*onou&eed above than below the stones. Temperature 5 indicates that the temperatures down among the wet under-stones are consid- erably lowered* while the hi|fier temperatures in 6 probably indicates bacterial activity within the decaying weed,

METHOD OF INVESTIGATION-.

A line traverse was decided upon extending at right angles to the shore line from the top of the beach ridge to the foot, i.e. to M.L.W.M. No attention was paid to life below this as it clearly belongs to a quite different habitat, Along, the traverse stations were selected in most cases separated from one another by about 4 or 5 feet but the spacing was not kept constant, being related to the local density of the life. In all, eleven such stations were used. Bach station an area approximately 1 yd. square. The animals in• cluded in this area and between the stones immediately beneath were estimated during removal of the stones from the surface downwards, highly mobile animals (e.g. crabs) occurred removal was carried out as quickly as possible in

order to disturb them least, the depth to ^h^eh .ea-ch ;sfuaire yard was dug out depended on tho distribution of the animals in the lower stations all the Stones were removed from a*bove ttie mtd (see s%^ted regions in Traverse Diagram).

In the estimation of the animal$ present osiact counts cound not be

made in most case;s owing 1^ shortage of time but One or two numerical estimates #§ro made where "||iis was fought necessary^ Most of $Jie results are o#< a com- - 53 -

• parative nature, thus a general picture of the density of a particular species up and down the slope could he gained, wherever measurable features showed themselves of interest these were assessed (e.g. height of uppermost Marinula, specimens and the diameter of Nerita shells at different levels), General notes were made on species which showed only part of their nature on the trav• erse results, A special technique was adopted for the estimation of Nerita melanotragus numbers. "Surface estimates" were made before any stones were removed by counting the number of shells visible within the square yard when the station was viewed from vertically above. Thus all the shells on the upper hemisphere of the topmost rocks were counted together with any visible on the tops of underlying rocks. A similar method was employed in the estimation of other species occurring in numbers below the surface.

AQOOIMP OF OBSERVATIONS ON SPECIES WITH rUTECOLOGICAb NOTES. torinula filholi - (Hutton), *(1451). This is a small pale brown pulmonate gas• tropod easily recognised by three tooth-like appendages on the columella (one large and two rather smaller outer ones) which project into the ax^erture. As it is able to breath air direct rather than dissolved in water, it is more res• tricted by submersion than exposure, hence it is not surprising that the dist• ribution of this snail within the traverse was from well above E.H.W.S. to just below M.H.W,N, where it would be covered by the, sea for no more than . about 1 hour at each high tide (high tide at the time of the survey was a little below M. H.W.N*), There is little doubt that Mar inula, in the area studied, fed on decaying vegetable matter adhering to the stones; this explains the in• crease in the numbers in station V. beneath the, seaweed belt. It is inter• esting that the upper level of the distribution of Mar inula is practically con• stant in its depth below the surface except below the weed (see diagram of traverse); this would suggest that upward movement is restricted by temperature and/or humidity, though, immediate downward movement of the snails when they were exposed suggests that they are sensitive to light. Marinula extends right down to sand level but does not seem to leave the rock surface,

Cyelograpsus lavouxi; A pale reddish-brown crab common under upper intertidal stones (Richardson says lower intertidal?) on sheltered parts of the coast. In the pebble beach it moves actively between the stones beneath the surface. Zediloma digna - Finlay (352), This gastropod seems to be intimately related in its feeding habits to rotting seaweed and its very restricted occurrence on the traverse must be interpreted with this in mind as its intertidal range is definitely much wider than would be suggested by the results gained. An attempt has been made to indicate this on the distribution chart (q»v,) by the connection of the area representing a single occurrence in station, VII» to the main population in station V, by a broken line. Zediloma morio - Troschel (358). Occurred mainly among the lowest and sub• surface rooks, being most abundant immediately above the sand. Those living higher up the beach were somewhat smaller than the lower,ones, Nerita melanotragus - (Smith), (493). Probably the only species to occur in this locality much as it would if the pebble slope was replaced by a more typical opon rocky portion of the coast such as occurs nearby. The only modification has been a suppression of the upward development and consequent low position for the Nerita population here when it is compared with that of a similarly situated open rock surface. This can no doubt be explained by reference to the high temperature that the smooth surface rocks attain when they are exposed during the day time. An explanation of this kind is supported both by the decrease in size of the Nerita higher up (see fig, 1) ..and'the higher levels reached by those living beneath the surface. The fact that Nerita does not ascend even higher than it does among the cool damp stones above the sand is difficult to explain; possibly* it is due to a shortage of air in the confined spaces between the rocks*: Leptoplana hEunnea. A small brown intertidal flatworm occurring on the under• sides of lower stones, Petrolisthes elongatus. The half crab appears in large numbers as one of the species favoured by the unusual habitat, It occurs inconsiderable numbers beneath the stones immediately above the sand and, in the lower part of its range, when these stones were removed a mass of rapidly scuttling crabs was revealed. ~ 54 -

Hemigr aps us s oxflont at us . Shis; crab lias habits similar to those of Cyclograffsus but occurs lot. or down in the. inter tidal region, Notoaomea daodala - (Suter), (513) and Ataladmea hragilis u (Sowerby), (521) are two small Patolloidid limpets which were found on the undersides of sub-surface rockso Hetorozius rotundifrons. This interesting little crab occurred in considerable numbers in station X, most of those found being females, many "in berry" with masses of bright orange-red eggs. Qzius trunoatus. One, specimen of this large heavy crab was found underneath one of the lower stones against the, sand. Acanthoclinus quadridactylis. This fish, the common "tommy-God", occurred as one or two young specimens in pools in the sand. Anisodiloma lugubris - (Gmelin), (360). A couple occurred in station IX. on the rock near tho sand. Pomatoceras cocruleus - Schmarda (syn. vermilia carinifera). Scattered individual tubes was the highest development reached by this tubiculous worm and no\tube was more than 3-4 mm. in diameter. Many of the tubes were empty. Anemonia olivaceai In the lower stations considerable numbers of this anemone wore attached to the lower rocks oven when their basal parts were covered with sand. . Cominella virgata - H.

Tho above account includes all the organisms met with except those of the. microfauna and those apparently unimportant in tho pattern of the comm• unity. Nevertheless, it clearly shows the lack of many 3pecios which else• where are of fundamental importance in the intertidal region, the most striking ease being that of the IntertMel algae and sessile animals. This may be ox- plained chiefly by the movement of tho rocks against one another and the. abrasion by sand undor tho influence of raves. Included with the sessile animals is the almost ubiquitous barnacle 01iams.esipho columns which together with all other balanoid forms is completely absent. On nearby rocks of considerably larger size (about 2 ft. to 1 yd, in diameter) further round the coast towards the Pinnacle Rocks, Chamacsipho columna does occur, although in small numbers, on all rocks between tides. Here sand may be absent and the rocks may be too heavy to be moved by the waves. In the same place Melaraphe olivcri occurs on the rocks in large numbers - a local cooling effect due to more exposure to wind may, in part, explain this. Saxostrca and Pomatocoros, two attached animals which do occur in the traverse region are much reduced both in size and number.

In the upper regions of the traverse an unusual member of the fauna is a dark groonish-black lizard (a skink) of a species also found by one of the authors on a beach at the N.W, end of Rangitoto Island in the Auckland Harbour. This animal occurred in surprising numbers from the top of tho stone bank to be - lore/ the seaweed belt where it could be seen darting for a second over the surface stones to disappear again into the crevices. No doubt its food consists of Crustacea and insects caught over and among the stones.

A fact perhaps worthy of note is the importance of Brachyrhynchous crabs in the fauna,, every species found on the co*at in the neighbourhood being represented except (as wound be expected) Loptograpsus variegatua, the large reef crab, and Cancer novac-zolandiae, a sub-littoral crab. The pebble beach was the only locality where Hcterozius was found in any numbers, only one specimen being els cwher e. VJ1

DISTRIBUTION FIGURES FOR PHYSIOGNOMIC SPECIES

E.H.WS.

// / A/7 / XT'./ y^2SIZZMLW.M

DlAGRAIaT-iATIC SECTION OF TRAVERSE. - 56 -

LIST OF SPECIES AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION Species II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI Marinula filholi +++ P + P Cyelograpsus lavouxi (i P +

Zediloma digna (±t ? 9 ++ < + Zediloma morio (i) hx( 4- + ++ Nerita molanotragus ?s( ++++ Leptoplana brunnea (ul + + i. i 11 Petrolisthes olongatus tu ++ ++++ Hemigrapsus sexdentatus (i) + + Notoaomea daedala Ti + + Atalacmca fragilis (i + + Heterozius rotundifrons (u P ++ Ozius truncatus lu -P Aeanthoclinus quadridactylis tu P Anisodiloma lugubris (u + Pomatooeros cooruleus (e + ++ Anemonia olivaooa (o) lu) + +++ Cominolla virgata tu) +* Saxostrea glomorata (e^ P

Cellana radians IB( P Lopsia haustrum (u. P Encrusting Algae (e)Cu> P NOTEs Physiognomic speoies are underlined. Ecological Position? (exposed, (i) « living between the stones. (sj = living on uppermost stones fully (u) = living under the lowest stones, (e) = sessile on the stones. Frequency Notation; p = present, + = occasional, ++ » oommon, +++ = very common, ______++++ S3 abundant, <= less than,

* In the above account the Molluscs are followed by the authority and number, in brackets,'as given in Powell's "The Shellfish of New Zealand." 2nd Edition. Notes on the": crabs recorded (excepting Petrolisthes) may be found in "A Guide to Brachyrhyhchous Crabs," by Richardson, in Tuatara, Vol. II, No. 1» March, 1949. - 57 ~ TIDE POOL ECOLOGY

A study of the algal flora of tide pools on the northern tip of the Coromandel Peninsula and a consideration of the factors governing distribution of the species occurring within the pools. •— Les Turribull.

The Problem of Distribution.

In order that life may exist a relationship must be established between the organism and its environment. That is, the environment must supply all of the requirements essential to that organism for life. No two species require exactly the same make up in this relationship and unless one is dependent on the other, each will have a slightly different distribution.

Because the normally submerged plants of the intertidal zone are ex- posed for varying periods of time, the primary environmental factors limiting their arrangement are those controlling the rate of water loss from the plants. All of the other factors, including temperature, substrate, exposure and height on the shore, directly influence this and are overshadowed by it to such an extent that their effectiveness is almost impossible to calculate. This fact has been established many times in the past.

In tide pools however, the problem of desiccation of the algae applies only to those species actually fringing the pool. Yet there exists in these pools a zonation ahnost as marked as that of the shore itself. While the shore-line has a uniformity of factors acting upon it which is continuous for fairly large areas, even adjacent tide-pools may differ remarkably in their floras.

Much work has been put into this problem in the past, and yet no con• clusive evidence has yet been brought to light to explain the phenomenon. Many have shown the effect of individually different factors but much work is yet to be done before the problem is completely understood. It is extremely difficult to study any one factor, as no series of pools which shows all gradations of that factor, satisfactorily for experimental purposes, is uniform in regard to the many other modifying controls. The position may best be illustrated by a des• cription of the floras of a definite series of rock pools in a given locality.

The Area Studied.

The area, which has a northerly aspect, covers a sector of coastline at the northern tip of the Coromandel Peninsula. It has been raised after sub• mergence and subsequently cut back by the pounding of heavy seas from the open ocean to the north-east. The original stream valleys "are now filled with all• uvium together with the sands and muds of the original headlands, and the coast now presents an irregular, scalloped appearance with sandy and pebbly arcs separated by small, steep, rocky headlands.

"A long, seaward, partly submerged reef has been formed, at the end of which.is a 'top hat1 island, Sugar Loaf Island. Together these shelter most of the region. The area is therefore cut into two sections as regards wave-action, the smaller section to the east being exposed to the continuous swell of the open ocean, while the main part of the area presents a gradation from minimal wave action to heavy swell.

Very active erosion is'occurring at the exposed end of the sector, where large blocks of greywacko conglomerate are continually being broken away. The pebbles from the.au are being swept westwards along the shore and the finer part• icles carried the furthest so that we have in turn from east to west, areas of broken boulders, stretches of very large pebbles, pebbly beaches and finally beaches of fine sand.

There is a large variety of substrate in the area, Mesozoic greywackc gives way to Tertiary conglomerates and sandstones and there are igneous•intrusions, all'-within this one piece of coast of about l£ miles' in length.

Distribution of the Algae,

The seaweed zonation on the shore consists of belts, each belt being defined by the boundaries of the characteristic weed of that belt, Por purposes of classification and description, the pools could be examined in that way, by the contained species, but for convenience, zones were established by the talcing - 58 „

c3Cftie-.ftpp R,ox 35cy»> imck.- •'I'V-v

f of tide-levels and describing each pool as belonging to a particular level.

An eight-hour tide watoh was carried out at four positions along the coast. This was from about one hour before high tide to well after the tide had reached its lowest point. The level of the tide was marked on the rocks by- means of bituminous paint at half-hourly intervals, and by the use of Auckland Harbour Board Data for that day M*H.W.N. , M.T.L, and M* L.W.N,* were established. These three levels were the ones chosen as best to divide the littoral vertically into four more or less equal zones of purely arbitrary nature (see Table I.),

High tidal zone

M. H.W.N. 6U22 ft. Upper mid-tidal zone M.T.L. 4.40 ft. Lower mid-tidal zone M, L.W.N, 2JSQ ft,. „ „ Low tidal zone

TABLE The zones into which the intertidal level was divided.

Altogether 55 pools were investigated in 11 localities (see diagram i) and although all of these were not mapped, a species list was made of each one. They were studied from May 1 8th to May 21st, 1950, that is, over a period of four days.

AREA I II Ill IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI (see map) High 1 2 - 1 2 - - 2 2 - 3 = 13 Upper -Kid. 2 3 2 2 - - 3 2 14 ; - - ; .Lower-mid* 1 5 2 1 1 - - 2 1 = 13 Low 2 - 3 - 2 2 2 2 1 1 = ;,,15 Total -55 ' TABLE II, The distribution of the pools studied.

The pools of each zone could be divided again into deep and shallow or large and small but it is not considered wise to do this as these are only single factors, each of which may be no more important than shade, temperature etc. If one factor is to be considered then so must all of the others.

Table III is a complete list of the algal species encountered within the pools and their vortical distribution in the littoral zone. In each case the number represents no more than the number of pools within that zone in which the alga occurred. Abundance within the pools is not taken into consideration for it was particularly noted that the abundance of many algal species was identical in almost every pool in which that species occurred. For example, Carpophyllum plumpsurn• common in the lower-cnid and low tidal regions, occurs even in high tidal pools (under extremely rough conditions) where its abundance is much the same as it is at the lower levels.

Zonation within the pools will not be discussed in this study.

The Tide-pool as a Habitat.

Depending upon its height on the shore, the pool becomes isolated from • . the sea for a certain length of time between each tidal rise. This period of time alters from day to day according to the variability duo to the periods of spring and neap tides. Thus for differing periods, pools of the low tidal zone will re• main submerged and those of the high tidal zone will remain continuously exposed.

The isolated volume of water, forming the pool, may or may not be con-

* M. H.W.N, s Mean High Water Neap. M.T.L, = Mean Tide Level. M.L.W.N. = Mean Low Water Neap. - 60 - stantly replenished hy spray and splash due to v/ave action thus reducing the sur­• face evaporation rate, and therefore keeping the salinity concentration and pfi at same level as those of the sea.­ Temperature would increase to a much higher: degree along sheltered areas of coast where wave­action is at a minimum.­ The topography of the area is important in regard to the amount of shade afforded the pool. It may restrict light intensity and thus also affect temperature., Acc­ ording to the depth of the pool there is a greater or lesser amount of light reaching its hottorn. The type of substrate must be considered for it may retard or favour growth of certain species.

Lastly, if there are loose pebbles on the bottom of the pool there will be no plant growth there, except encrusting forms, but if the character of the bottom is such that it is free from debris, algae will grow abundantly.

SPECIES High Upper­mid Lower­mid Lower Total number of pools: 13 14 13 15

Enteromorpha intestinalis 4 — Ectocarpus sp* 2 - - Polysiphonia s.?p. 2 10- - -• Enteromorpha piocera f.. novae zealandiae 2 3 - - Bryopsis plumosa 2 3 - - Ceramium sp. 2 2 - Bryopsis corticulans f, novae, zelandiae 2 1 - - Chaetomorpha aerea 1 8 - - Pylaiella novae zelandiae 11 3 1 - Corallina officinalis (basal) 2 9 13 14 • Corallina officinalis (erect) 2 ō 12 14 Carpophyllum plumosum 1 3 1=1= 15 Ulva lactuca 1 2 4 2 Slpacelaria furcigera - 4 - - . Porphyra umbilicalis - 3 - Colpomenia sinuosa - 3 - — Enteromorpha procera f,. minuta - 1 - - Notheia anomala (on Hormosira) - 8 4 - Cladophoropsis herpestica -- 5 1. Leathesia difformis — 2 1. Grlossophora kunthii _ 1 1 Hormosira banksii _ 11 12 3 Carpophyllum mas dial ocarpum - 3 9 13 Melobesia sp. — 2 12 10 Xiphophora chondrophylla - 1 5 15 Zonaria subarticulata 1 T 15 Laurencia botrychioides - 4 Caulerpa sedioides —- 3 Dictyota dichotoma - — 1 Cigartina stropurpurea - - 1 - Liagora harveyana - - 1 - Laurencia thyrsifera - — 8 1 Rhodliymenia lept ophyll a - — 5 10 Ecklonia radiata 3 8 Cystophora torulosa — — 2 11 Sargassum sinclairii - 2 5 Lomentaria umbellata _ — 2 5 Dipterosiphonia heteroclada — — 2 1 Vidalia colensoi 2 11 Champia novae zelandiae - — 1 12 Myriogramme denticulata - 1 12 Pandorea traversii 1 5 Jania rub ens 1 4 Griffithsia antarctica _ 8 Melanthalia abscissa 7 Euzoniella ovalifolia _ 3 Pterocladia lucida 2 Lessonia var ie gat a — - - 1

TABLE III, List of algal species encountered and their vertical distribution in the intertidal zone. - 61 - A Few .Factors Considersd,

14 Height on the shore: From each zone, 3 or 4 contrasting pools were selected to illustrate the variance of distribution within a zone. These pools were mapped (see Diagram II) and from a study of them it is evident that, although of primary importance, height on the shore alone does not control the arrange• ment of species. The variability of the pools does not illustrate height within the zone because in several cases the algae of one pool differed markedly from those of an adjacent pool at an identical height.

Ct?roli

|gi UN<*. looses.

CtactopKor-opsis Kef pesKca,

4 61 oSsopkorcv kun^'i' 1

DIAGRAM II, Three pools from the upper mid-tidal zone selected to illustrate variance within that zone. Tool A and Pool 0 were almost ad jacent•

2. Wave action: This seemed to be extremely important, and there was a direct correlation between this and the height on the shore at which any species would grow.

\ \ \ v some sT^ecies are eventually pushed out altogether.

On that part of the coast that was exposed to the Pacific Ocean the high tidal species Pylaiella and Enterornorpha were absent, and it was here that Carpophyllum - 62 ~ plump sum and the other lower mid and low tidal species rose on the shore into the high tidal zone. Along the coast to the ?jest, as wave action became less and less, the height of the pools in which a species occurred generally became cor• respondingly lower.

3. Temperature i Both days on which temperature readings were taken were cool and overcast with a. few showers. Even so the temperature reached by the pools was considerably in excess of that reached by the sea. Three pools (large, medium and small) were chosen from the upper-mid tidal zone each day and a temp• erature reading of these taken every half-hour. A shower of rain of about 10 minutes duration made little difference to the pool temperatures.

~Tt!m<- vr\ Kow.' J • • }

The smallest pool is seen to have reached the highest temperature. The ability to withstand sudden temperature changes would be most important as the sudden inrush of sea water with the incoming tide would reduce the temperature of the pool (on a warm day) by several degrees in a matter of seconds.

4. Light intensity* In general, the green algae were more tolerant of light than either the brown or the red (see Table III). The Rhodophyceae seemed to flourish best in rather shaded or in deeper positions,

5» Substrate; No alga was restricted to any particular substrate even though this varied through at least half a dozen types.

Another approach to the study of tide pools would be to regard each pool as a complete and separate unit and to consider the entire set of factors in operation upon it as complex. It is possible (but at the present time unlikely) that by this method some formula may be evolved by which tide-pools might be classified,

Whatever the approach, the requirements of the individual algae them• selves must be understood before the problem can be fully solved. To-work out the autecology of each species involved would be.no mean task and yet this seems to be the next step in the solving of the problem.

However, the fact that a plant A is abundant in any pool X and is rare in any pool Y may simply be a result of chance distribution of that species and may not be due to any environmental effect at all. - 63 -

SURVEY OF THE INTER -TIDAL REGION FLETCHER'S BAY - COROMANDEL PENINSULA. - Vivienne Dellow.

Fletcher's Bay lies just over 2 miles to the east of Cape Colville, on the coastline forming the extreme northern boundary of the Coromandel Penin• sula, The bay is flanked by low cliffs at either end; to the west the inter• tidal region is narrow, cliffs descending somewhat abruptly into the sea. With• in the shelter of the curving bay head a small flat reef is exposed at low tide, and to the east of the bay a much larger reef slopes gradually to seaward from high water mark for about 100 yards. Further east a wide, low-tidal rock plat• form is backed first by a sandy beach and then by boulders which grade in size from small pebbles on the storm bank above high water mark to quite large, smooth boulders near L. W, N„ The north-eastern tip of the peninsula is marked by the towering "Sugar Loaf" rocks, which stand apart from the mainland.and are exposed to the full impact of onshore gales.

The rocks about Fletcher's Bay belong to the Moehau Series (Eraser and Adams 1907? The Geology of the Coromandel Subdivision, Hauraki, Auckland, p, 22), consisting of pre-Jurassic thin-bedded argillites and graywackes, the products of denudation of a large land mass, and the oldest rocks in the Hauraki area. In contrast, the northeastern promontory (including the Sugar Loaf Rocks) is igneous in origin, being formed during the Second Period of volcanic outbursts (Miocene) in the early Tertiary. Here the products of eruption are semi-basic andesitic tuffs and breccias.

Tfc_is stretch of coastline receives a maximum amount of insolation in comparison-with other localities in the Hauraki Gulf. Judging from the fact that the surrounding hills afford ample protection from cold southerly air currents, .it may be assumed that minimum air temperatures are higher than those recorded at Auckland.

A qualitative and quantitative investigation was made of the plants and animals inhabiting the inter-tidal region between Fletcher's Bay and the Sugar Loaf Rocks, Students worked individually or in pairs each on a particular aspect of the ecology of the area. As a result were produced:

1 • Species lists of plants and animals. 2, A sketch map of ';he area. 3. Information concerning time, rate and range of tidal rise and fall, 4» An ecological study of the lichens colonising rocks in the supralittoral. 3. A survey of tide pools in the area.- 6. Three transects from high to low water mark:- (a) A belt transect west of Fletcher's Bay, indicating composition of biotic communities at different tide levels, under conditions of moderate ex• posure to wave-act ion, (b) A belt transect on the boulder beach between Fletcher's Bay and the Sugar Loaf Rocks - a survey of the differences in number and species of animal populations at different levels. (c) A line transect at the Sugar Loaf Rocks under conditions of maximum exposure to wave action.

ALGAE COLLECTED BETWEEN FLETCHER'S BAY AND STONY BAY, COROMANDEL PENINSULA - 17 - 21 May, 1950, Species marked with an asterisk were found only in tide-pools

CYANOPHYCEAE, Dermooarpa prasina .. •: • Entophysalis- deusta QsjejLlLator^ ', 'Lyngbya maruscula Lynr-foya conf ervoides* " semiplena* Nodularia harveyana Isactis plana

CHL0R0PHYCEAE

Ulva lactuca Enteromorpha procera f. minuta Enteromorpha bulbosa " " f. novae-zelandia. Rhizoclonium tortuosum Rhizoclonium hookeri " imilexum Cladophora colensoi* - 65 -

This t^eri:indicates the type of association-complex to he found on a hard rocky «ubst..'ate in a locality subject to a moderate amount of exposure to wave action. Vertical zonation of the dominant species is summarised in Table I,

II, Line Transect on Eastern Face of Sugar Loaf Rocks,

For comparative purposes a line transect was constructed on the eastern side of the grc:o r-° pinnacles nearest Fletcher's Bay at the north-east tip of the peninsula, where the rocks are surrounded by deep, clear water, and the zonation is typical of a coas' exposed to open ocean,

'. -ngth: 45 feet* "taring: E.

Here the : 'ne traversed a relatively wide high tidal wave-cut, platform, and then descended ?-er a series of short steps, finally making a vertical plunge into the sublittoral.

Transect I (west of Transect II (on eastern face Fletcher's Bay) . of Sugar Loaf Rocks) SUPRA- LITTORAL *E. F • S c Melaraphe oliveri Melaraphe oliveri Lichina pygmaea. Lichina pygmaea i M.L.W.S. Chamaesipho brunnea Chamaesipho brunnea

Chamaesipho columna Chamaesipho columna UPPER Bostrychia spp. \ / . \ Bostrychia spp. (shade) M.H.V..N. Catanella spp. j' tshaae; Gelidium pusilium

LITTORAL / Apophloea sinclairii ^Chamaesipho columna Chamaesipho columna Elminius plicatus Elminius plicatus M.T.L. Nerita melanotragus Cigartina alveata

Saxostrea glomerata Gdgartina alveata Chamaesipho columna Nemastoma oligarthra Aipophloea sinclairii Ralfsia verrucosa M. L.W.N. Ralfsia verrucosa Ulva lactuca LOWER Xiphophora chondrophylla Xiphophora chondrophylla LITTORAL Chaetangium corneum Pterocladia capillacea Encrusting corallines Encrusting corallines M.L.W,3. Carpophyllum elongatum

Carpophyllum Carpophyllum elongatum E.L.W.R, maschalocarpum' (Lcssonia variegata)

SUB- Bcklonia radiata (Lessonia variegata) j LITTORAL Carpophyllum flexuosum I' TABLE I. BASIC ZONATION

* E.H.W.S. = Extreme High Water Springs = 8.4' M.H.W.S. = Mean. High Water Springs = 8,0' M.H.W.N. = Mean High Water Neaps = 6.5' M.T,L. = Mea.n Tide Level = 4.4' M. L.W.N. = Mean Low Water Neajs = 2.3' M.L.W.S. = Mean Low Water Springs = 0.8' ...E.L.W.S. = Extreme Low Water Springs = 0.4' A. H.B.D. = Auckland Harbour Board Datum = • 0,0»

Table I gives a simplified summary of the vertical zonation of the dominant species in both transects from above E.-H.W. S. to below the limits of the intertidal region. Tide levels are related to Auckland Harbour Board Datum, and - 66 - are corrected to the tidal range for Cuvier Island, 20 miles to the east. Sev• eral 6-hourly tide-watches indicated that the mean springs range in this locality was 8,0 feet.

Emphasis is placed here primarily on the effect of wave action, hut although it is the most obvious factor to explain the presence or" absence of .a coiTimunity in a particular habitat, zonation in any one area is the result of a combination of the whole complex of tidal, climatic and physiographic factors. Species adversely affected by wave action include Saxostrea glomerata and Carpo- phyllum flexuosum, both of which are notably absent at the Sugar Loaf Rocks, Conversely, species which are confined to very exposed coasts include Gip;artina alveata, Kemastoma oligarthra, Carpophyllum elongatum and Lessonia variegata.

The distribution of C. maschalocarpum and Ecklonia radiata cannot be interpreted solely in terms of wave action, as depth and clarity of the water are also significant, as well as the all-important factor of competition,

Lessonia is included in brackets in Table I since it was not present at the exact position of Transect II. Both C. elongatum and Lessonia are elev• ated above the level of M.L.W.S. in a deep channel to the north of the transect.

Gdgartina alveata is a reliable indicator species about M.T.L., its presence invariably marking a locality where surge is strong and constant.

Tho absence of Gelidium pusilium from Transect I is due to the ran• dom distribution of this species rather than to any direct effect of wave-action. Its presence is governed rather by the degree of shading and the presence of a suitable attachment substrate.

MOLLUSCA - FLETCHER'S BAY AND NEIGHBOURHOOD, CORQMANDEL PENINSULA. - John Sumich and Heather Halcrow.

Ooromandel Camp provided a large amount of information due to the labours of many workers, and not the least active of these where the Concholo- gists. The following list includes both the living molluscs and those found as empty shells on the beaches. Ecological notes are based on records made in con• nection with the survey of the intertidal region from Fletcher's Bay to the Pinnacle Rocks (often called the Needles). For map see article on Tide Pools.

1- E L E C Y P 0 D A.

MYTIL3DAE Modiolus neozelanicus (iredale) 64, Abundant in crevices of rock flats where ex• posure slight and in vicinity of sand. Upper Intertidal, M, areolatus (Gould) 65. One specimen on sea-weed.

PECTINIDAE

Chlamyo zelandiae (Grey) 73, One specimen, Fletcher's Bay Beach,

OSTREIDAE Saxostrea glomerata (Gould) 100, Infrequent. More common where exposure reduc 'where ascends upwards in intertidal regions and specimens are larger.

LEPTONIDAE Lasaea hinemoa Pinlay, 165. In crevices in rock high above H.W.M. in regions of traverse. Western arm, Fletcher's Bay.

VENERIDAE Protothaca crassicosta (Deshayes) 260, Scarce, Fletcher's Bay between tide marks on beach.

GASTEROPODA

HALIOTIIDAE

Haliotis iris Martyn, 313. Occasional beneath rocky ledges and in crevices bel - 67 -

low-tide mark on reef. H. australis Gmelin > 314. Similar to H. iris but in smaller .numbers-. •

F IS SURELLIDAE Tugali suteri bascanda Hedley, 323.

TR0CH3DAE Zediloma digna Finlay, 352. Restricted to rocks: in vicinity of rotting seaweed

' on which it feeds. Very abundant9 H.W. seaweed debris, pebble beach east of Fletcherrs. Bay. Z. atrovirens (Philippi) 357. Lower intertidal, common, more so in relatively exposed parts on rocks. Z. morio Troschel, 358, Similar to Z. atrovirens but more widely distributed. Anisodjloma lugubris Gmelin, 360, Infrequent - Mid-Intertidal under^stones. Micrelenchus dilatatus (Sowerby), 377* Scattered on Xiphophora. Lower inter• tidal pools.

CALLI0ST0MAT LDAE.

Maurea punctulata (Martyn), 431. Three specimens from seaweed below L-W,M.

TURBINTDAE Lunella smaragda (Martyn), 488, Lower intertidal and in pools. Often very large where exposure considerable, - Cookia sulcata (Martyn) 491. Scarce, young, in intertidal pools. Adults on . sublittoral rocks - ascend a little in crevices. KERITIDAE Nerita melanotragus (Smith), 493. Abundant intertidal rocks and pools over whole of coast studied. Thin out towards the Pinnacle Rocks where exposure is great.

PATELLOIDIDAE Patelloida corticata corallina Oliver, 501. Frequent or abundant, higher inter• tidal pools on rock platform, Sugar Loaf point. Notoaomea pileopsis (Quoy & Gaimard) 509. Infrequent - scattered high tidal rocks near Sugar Loaf and on clean high-tidal rocks near Fletcher's Bay, N. daedala (Suter) 513. Frequent under clean rocks lower intertidal and in pools- on stones.

Atalacmea fragllis (Sowerby) 521. Less common than previous. Similar situations.

PATELLIDAE Qellana radians (Gmelin) 523. Characteristic of lower intertidal rock where water not turbid, although it occurs throughout. C. stellifera (Gmelin) 526. Two specimens on intertidal rocks. C. denticulata (Martyn) 528, Scattered intertidal rocks.

C. ornata (Dillwyn) 529, Frequent in upper intertidal where exposure is moderate or greater, LITTORINIDAB Melaraphe oliveri Finlay, 551. Abundant, in splash .zone dominant. Descends to intertidal where other species give way duo tc local factors.

RISSOIDAE Estea zosterophila (Webster) 592. Under rocks, pools, mid-tidal. Dardanula olivacea (Hutton) 708.

RISSOINIDAE

Rissoina ohathamensis (Hutton) 729« One specimen, intertidal pool.

PALUDESTRINIDAE

Potamopyrgus antipodum (Gray) 747. Abundant on pebbles in stream, Fletcher's Bay.

. CERATHIIDAE Zeacumantus subcarinatus (Sowerby) 760. Abundant in Corallina pools usually with mud. ~ 68 —

vERMETIDAE Lilag-. nucleogranosum (Verco) 803» Under stones, intertidal pools.

CREPIDULIPAB Maoricrypta costata feowerby) 827» Two specimens - lower tidal rooks. M. monoxyla (Lesson) 829* Several on shells - intertidal.

CALYPTRAEIDAE Sigapatella novaez&landiae Lesson, 830. Infrequent under stones - lower intertidal.

CYMATIIDAE Oharonia ca.pax euolioides Finlay, 866. One specimen, "below L.W.M. on reef. Mayena australasia (Perry) 869. Two specimens - low tidal rocks on reef.

FAS CIOLARI IDAE Taron dubius (Hutton) 1025, One specimen - rock pool.

BUOOIMJLIDAE Buccinulum lineum (Martyn) 1045# Two specimens under intertidal rocks in pools. Austrosipho adusta (Philippi) 1088, One specimen * intertidal rocks on reef.

OOMIKELLIDAE Cominella vir^ata H. & A. Adams, 1104. Frequent, scattered lower intertidal rocks and pools. 0. quoyana (A.Adams) 1113» Uncommon, low tidal rocks. 0. glandiforiiiis (Reeve) 1116. Two specimens - low tidal rocks.

MDRIGIDAE

Axymene corticatus (Hutton) 114t, Two specimens - low tidal rocks.

THAISIDAE Neothais scalaris (Menke) 1163, Scattered, lower intertidal rock crevices. Lepsia haustrumTMartyn) 1164» Scattered, lower intertidal rock crevices and under stones. Lepsiella scobina (Quoy .and Gaimard) 1165. Occasional - intertidal rocks. L. scobina albomarginata (Deshayes) 1166. Common, intertidal, in pools and under stones..

OLIvTPAE"

Baryspira australis (Sowerby) 1238. One specimen, L.W.M, , Fletcher's Bay beach*

MARGBffiU^IDAE

Marginella mustelina (Angas) 1250. One specimen under stone, intertidal.

DORIDIGITAT IDAE Ceratosoma amoena (Cheeseman) 1428. One specimen on low tidal brown seaweed, ELLOBIIDAE '?v;; ; " Mar inula filholi Hutton, 1451• Abundant under rocks of pebble beach east of Fletaher's Bay near H.W.M» Also Warde's Bay similarly.

SIPHONARIIDAE

Siphonaria zelandica (Quoy and Gaimard), 1458. Scarce in rock pools near H.W.M,

ANCILIDAE Latia neritoides Gray, 1483. Uncommon under stones in stream.

PAR YPHAMP IDAE Rhytida greenwoodi (Gray) 1689. One specimen 2500' up Mt. Te Moehau. ~ 69 ~

AMPHINEUBA. - Colwyn Trevarthen. • ' LEPIDOCHITONIDAE Eudoxochiton nobilis (Gray) 1774» One very large specimen from lower intertidal crevice, point to west of Fletcher's Bay,-

FLAXIPHORLDAE Maorichiton caelatus (Reeve) 1793« One specimen, underside smooth stone, high intertidal, CHITONIDAE Sypharochiton pelliserpentis (Quoy & Gaimard), 1809» Lower intertidal, common. Large where exposure is moderate, S. sinclairi (Gray) 1810. Less common than S, pelliserpentis inmost places At Pinnacle Point on exposed rock, very large form with deformed plates frequent.

(in the above list the authorities and numbers refer to those in the Check List of Powell's "N.Z. Shellfish" 2nd Edition.

VEGETATION OF NORTH-EAST COROMANDEL (CAPE COLVILLE PENINSULA) With Special Reference to Mt. Te. Moehau. - George Mason and Carrick Cahmbers.

An annotated species list with all past records has been compiled for this area, but due to lack of space it has been necessary to omit it.

The Cape Colville or Coromandel Peninsula, with its mild climate and abundant rainfall, affords conditions particularly favourable for the growth of forest vegetation. At the northern end, the peninsula is narrow with the main water sheds tending north-west. Steep ridges and gullies run out on all sides to the sea, where eroded spurs end in cliffs, often several hundred feet high. The few, narrow coastal plains, and alluvial valley floors are deeply cut by fast- flowing streams.

Considerable areas have been deforested, while all the accessible por• tions of the remaining bush have been cut over for their timber. The felling and removal of the Kauri, Agathis australis, which formerly grew in great abun• dance, necessitated partial cutting and clearing of much of the forest. Often this was followed by the Kauri gum digger who resorted to further clearing or even burning. After a few years such areas became covered with a dense, almost impenetrable secondary growth. Only in less accessible area,s, such as towards the northern end of the peninsula, and in the higher ranges, is the forest found in its virgin state.

The most conspicuous feature to the botanist is the gradual change in the character of the vegetation as he ascends from the coastline to the summit of the higher ranges.

On the actual coast-line, the muddy flats of the inner coast are absent. A small sand dune occurs at Jackson's Bay at the extreme northern end of the peninsula. Such typical dune plants as Spinifex hirsutus, Desmdohoenus spiralis and Carex pumila (foredune) are present, together with Scirpus nodosus, Calystegia soldanella and Oxalis stricta. Much of the eastern coast is rocky cliffs on which grow such typical northern coastal plants as Metrosideros excelsa Sol. et Gaertn., Coprosma repens Rich,, Pseudopanax lessoni, Pittosporum crassifolium, and Astelia banksii. Where the coastline is not so steep, as for instance the clay banks above the boulder beaches, the smaller coastal plants may extend right down to the splash zone, viz. Scirpus nodosus, Apium prostratum, Lobelia anoeps, Samolus repens and Selliera radicans* Above these extend low bushes of Muehlen's- beckia complexa amongst clumps of Phormium tenax (flax), with an occasional bush of Arundp conspicua. • On the small areas of level ground at the head of the bays not yet farmed for river flat pasture, grow dense clumps of Leptospermum scoparium - 70 -

(manuka) . Here also may be occasional groves of Alectryon excelsum (titoki) and ivlelicope ternata. In swampy ground, are found Typha angustifolia (raupo), Mariscus ustulatus, Juncus polyanthemus and Centella asiatica,.

As a secondary growth over much of the country at low- elevations, stunted manuka and. bracken (Pteridium esculentum) are common, and included are such typical heath plants as Pomaderris phylaecifolia, Leucopogon fasciculatus, L. fraseri, Gyathodos acerosa and, Gahnia gahniaeformis.

The most heavily forested belt extends from near sea level to 1200 ft. This lowland forest appears to be dominated by Beilschmiedia taraire with B. tawa only a little' less frequent. The other predominant forest trees are Coryno- carpus lacvigatus, Vitex lucens. Knightia excelsa, Elcocarpus dentatus, Metrosideros robusta and Podocarpus. totara. Agathis australis was once fairly common further south at Stony Bay, but now exists only as isolated trees. The chief plants associated with the above lowland forest or constituting the undergrowth are Melicytus ramiflorus, Hoheria populnea, Pysoxvlum spoctabile, Braohyglottis^re- panda, Coprosma robusta, Rhipogonum scandens, Rubus cissoides A. Cunn. and Frey• oinetia banksii. On the survey line ridge from Stony Bay, at an elevation of 600 ft., the lowlands forest appears to have been burnt about 50 years ago. A succession from low scrub' is evident, the most advanced serai stage being dom• inated by large trees of Leptospermum ericoides over 25 ft. high.

From 1200 ft, to 1500 ft., Beilschmiedia tawa is now more common than P. taraire. Also of ecological importance are Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu), Hedycarya arborea. Weinmannia racemosa (Kamahi), Laurelia novae-zelandiae and Podocarpus ferrugineus.

Moving up the ridge from 1500 ft. to 1800 ft., Weinmannia racemosa is dominant in this altitudinal belt, with possibly Dacrydium cupressinum as co- dominant. Occurring more frequently in this belt are Wintera axillaris, Quin- tinia serrata, Ixerba brexioides and Suttonia salicina. The ground vegetation consists of an almost impenetrable tangled undergrowth of Freycinetia banksii, Astelia trinervia, and Gahnia lacera. On more level stretches of the ridge, the vegetation has been opened, up by the influence of grazing animals. . (rig rootings were frequently seen and there was abundant evidence of wild goats and sheep.) In such places Microlaena avenacea was often the exclusive dominant on the forest floor but also frequent were Blechnum vulcanicum and patches of Lycopodium cernuum. One of the most striking features of this belt was the ab• undance of both terrestrial and epiphytic bryophytes. The more conspicuous epiphytic mosses often clothing the trunks and branches of the Kamahi trees were: Weymouthia mollis•(Hedw.) Broth., W. col chlc/.

From 1800 ft, to 2200 ft,, Rimu is the dominant, with Kamahi and Ixerba brexioides in the upper canopy. Rata is absent after 1500 ft. Present also are Al s euo smia macr ophyll a, Griselinia littoralis, Coprosma f oetidiss.ima, C. lucida and Senecio kirkii.

At the,2200 ft. level, there is a most striking.change on the Stony Bay survey ridge. After climbing a steep slope, one emerges into the sub-alpine scrub. This appears to have been burnt over because of the large number of dead trunks still standing, Rimu is still the dominant, but many new plants have replaced the lower altitude species, viz, Metrosideros umbollata Cav., Dacrydium i intermedium, Dracophyllum recurvatum Col., Corokia buddleoides, Wintera colorata,. i Libocedrus plumosa, Phyllocladus glaucus and P. alpinus. • - 71 -

• This suh-alpine seruh continues up to the main Moehau ridge at 2600 ft. Often a thick undergrowth of Freyoinetia and Astelia trinervia is met. Alpine hog vegetation is found on the main range. Typical species occurring are Carpha alpina, Qreobolus pectinatis, Lycopodium laterale, Gleiohania cunrdnghamii, G. dicarpa var. alpina, and Schizaea fistulosa var. australis. Among the con• spicuous bo& mosses was Euoamptodon inflatus (H.f & W.) Mitt•, forming large yellowish areas amongst the tussock grasses and sedges. Oampylopus introflexus (Hedw.) Mitt., was abundant in some "boggy ground. Isolated cushions of Sphagnum sp. (section Inophloea) were present and a few plants with capsules were collected. Other common mosses present were Oampylopus torquatus Mitt, and C, clavatus (R.Br.) H.f & ¥,

The main peak, Big Moehau with its trig station, runs about 200 ft, above the ridge in a gradual slope. The flat and rounded summit is not bare, but supports a stunted vegetation, the tallest plants being Dracophyllum recur• vatum, Libocedrus plumosa and the 3 species of Phyllocladus. The open area around the summit covers about 100 acres, and almost 3/4 mile distant is the double rocky peak of Little Moehau, which is about 50 ft. lower. On the ex• posed western slopes of the ridge connecting Little Moehau to the main peak grew an open, stunted windswept scrub with much tussock. But on the more sheltered eastern side the scrub was about 10 ft. in height and proved to be almost impenetrable. Here there was an abundance of bryophytes, including 4 species of Dicraniloma. (P. cylindropyxis (CM.) Dixon, D./billardieri Schwaegr. Par. forma Integra, D. billardieri, D. pleurisetum (O.M.) Dixon), several species of Hypopterigium (both epiphytic and terrestrial)' and Sciadocladus menziesii.

Little Moehau, being more isolated and windswept, supports a truly alpine vegetation - some of the plants occurring here are not found nearer than Mt. Hikurangi in the Ruahine Range*, viz. Celmisja incana, Ourisia macro- phylla, Pentaohondra pumila, Dacrydium bidwillij, Podocarpus nivalis, Danthonia semi-annularis var. setifolia, Qreobolus pectinatis, Carpha alpina, Gleichenia • dicarpa var. alpina. The first two and Poa colensoi, and Drapetes dieffenbachii appear to be confined to the isolated peaks'of Little Moehau. " The appearance • of these Ruahine plants here is even more remarkable as Te Aroha Mountain (3128 *4^jL almost 200 ft. higher than Te Moehau, shows none of these plants. But it occ• upies a more sheltered position, and it has not the broad wind-swept summit of Te Moehau. Hence the forest extends to the very top, and there is.no open ground suitable for the growth of small alpine plants. James Adams (1388)* remarks that the botanical evidence "appears to prove that Moehau is the oldest land formation on the Coromandel Peninsula,

Trentepohlia, a member of the Chlorophyceae, gave a red appearance to the rocks of Little Moehau, This is a different species from that around

Auckland, In rock crevices were found Ditrichium punctulatum Mitt, and possibly a species of Andr&aea.

* Adams, Trans. -N.2. Inst., 1888. • - 72 -

GEOLOGY OF NORTH COROM&NDEL PENINSULA (Gape Oolville Survey District), with special reference to Te Moehau.

by G.T. Mackadam.

Te Moehau, 2,935 ft., the highest mountain, 16 rail or. north of Ooromandel is not easy of access, but in fine weather it gives a magnificent view, the whole of the cast coast line from fôhangaroi to the Bay of Plenty 'Doing visible.

The Moehau series consists of a great thickness of gr eywacke. and a:: gill it e without fossils, indicative of a long continued period of deposition - a period, in marked contrast to that of a later era, that was unbroken by any manifestations of vulcanism. The rooks of the Manaia hill series, which con• sist of conglomerates, grits, greywackes and shales, afford evidence of shall- i ower water conditions,, and contain undoubted fossils of Juras'sic age*. They also contain igneous pebbles. Fossils include Inoceramus (a largo bivalve). Subsequent to the deposition of the Manaia hill scries, there followed the great orogcnic movements which have determined one of the most pronounced breaks in the whole geological history of New Zealand. The strata -were folded and elevated, in places the beds even became vertical. There followed a period of erosion and the dawn of the Tertiary era saw this land mass slowly submerged and receiving in its river valleys and estuaries gravels and muds which on hardening have become conglomerates and shales. Tho maximum depression marked the deposition of limestone. Later sediments include conglomerates, shales, marl and limestone of the Torehine series and at certain horizons coal seams, (tho so include coal measure fossils).

Later came a second period of mountain building - the beds of the Torehine series are today found tilted, and ranging from sea levol to 1,200 ft. in elevation.

This was followed by the stupendous volcanic activity which has characterized the rest of the Tertiary era. Great piles of tuffs, breccias and lavas from numerous volcanic rents led. to a great accumulation of material, as much as 2,000 ft. thick. The volcanic outbursts wore in three great periods known as the First Period, the Second Period and the Third Period, of vulcanism. The great deposits of sinter and quartz, the ore deposits, arc all evidences of former periods of intense hydrothermal action. The volcanic tuffs and lavas; various fissures etc, all combined to afford conditions highly favour• able for subterranean circulations, these manifestations of hydrothermal act• ivity the "eruptive after actions, the gaseous emanations", and so on provided the gold of Ooromandel.

Since this volcanic era there have been later movements - at Kapanga mine Ooromandel cool is found, below sea. level 700 ft. down. Other signs of sunken valleys and raised beaches show that earth movements still continue.

Summary of Geological Series.

TERTIARY Volcanics. Torehine Series. MESOZOIC Manaia hill series fossils (Inoceramus haastij Moehau Series.

The peak little Moehau, which is only a remnant, is made of Horn• blende andesite. Most of the Moehau series.dips west, l?ut just west of the Sugar Loaf Rocks of Fletcher's Bay it dips east, probably-.due to a base of intrusive rock.

In the: Torehine Series at Waiaro, in coaly shales, the following plant fossils have been found by MacLaren: Blechnum priscum (Ettingliausen) Alethopteris (Hector). Flabellaria sublongirachis. Bambqsites australis (Bamboo) Fagus sp« (Beech) -73 -

In the volcanic rocks of the second period vera found:

.Dacrydimn cuprossinum (Rimu) Dacrydium sp. Podocarpium (a Podocarp)

Ooromandel G-ranite (commonly used for gravestones), a quartz- biotite-diorite (Cranodiorite), is quarried on the -west coast south of Port Jackson,

A small area of breccias and agglomerates forms the Sugar Loaf head• lands. The pyroclastic rocks are butressed, by brecciated lava flows. Lavas and consolidated breccias which form a small area, including Little Moehau south of Moehau Trig, show tho great removal by denudation of much volcanic material in surrounding areas. Moehau itself is a porphyritic diorite.

References, N.Z.G-.S. Bull. No, 5. ;t "Rocks of Ooromandel Peninsula." Sollas and Mackay, 1907.

EXTENT OP THE CENTRAL VOLCANIC PLATEAU AND ITS NORTHERN EXTENSION. A NOTE ON PLANT REMAINS (PROBABLY TOREHIHfi SERIES) AT FLETCHER'S BAY. - Heather Halcrow. Although plant remains and marine fossils had been found in the Torehine Series {?Lower Eocene) 95 chains east of Cape Colville, none had been recorded at Fletcher's Bay. Indeed, the Torehine Series is not marked on the map at this locality.

.However, a transition from the Moehau series through greywacke con• glomerate to sandstones interbedded with coarse mudstones was seen about 4 chains to the east from Fletcher's Bay. Moreover, plant remains were found which consisted mainly of macerated carbonised tissues and occasional pieces of wood, but no definite structures were recognisable in the specimens. The remains were generally preserved in the interbedded sandstones.

* * v * v •? $ $ * v v- # * v v i'fi v $ s;<

L - 75 -

ALGAL SURVEY OF STANMORE BAY, mYNGA_lROA PBNIHBULA - Vivienne Dellow.

Work on the intertidal algae of the above locality proceeded on the following lines: 1. A study of the drift species, only 3 of which were not found later growing attached (Zonaria subantioulata, Sargassum sinclairii, Myriogramme oviformia) 2. A collection of all the species found growing between E.H.W.S. and E.L.W.S. i ' . ,at both east and. west ends of the bay, and on the flat rocks exposed at low tide on the beach. Fifty-two species have been identified to date. Of these, 20 are new records for the area, 3. A pictorial impression of the zonation on a vertical rock face west of the cave, under conditions of maximum exposure to wave action. 4. A study of the association complexes on the wave-cut platform at the eastern end of Stanmore Bay by means of two line transects. 5. A study of the vertical and horizontal distribution of species in the cave at the vrestern end of the bay, which penetrates the cliff for 36,7 yards.

ALGAL SPECIES LIST OF STANMORE BAY.

CYANOPHYCEAE Qaoillatoria nip;roviridis Lyngbya maiusoula Symploca laeteviridis Hydrocoleus lyngbyaceus Isaotis plana Nodularia.harveyana

GHLOROPHYCEAE Enteromorpha procera f, novae-zelandiae»Chaetomorpha melargonium var, novae- Rhizoclonium riparium zelandiae var, *»ov_ - Microdictyon mutabilis *Derbesia novae-zelandiae Codium adhaerens var. convolutum var. nov.

PHAEOPHYCEAE Pylaiella novae-zelandiae Colpomenia. sinuosa Leathesia difformis *Myrionema compactum (?) Ralfsia verrucosa Splachnidium rugosum *Scytosiphon lomentaria Ecklonia radiata Dictyota dichotoma var. intricata Zonaria subarticulata (drift only) *Cystophora torulosa *Cystophora retroflexa *Sargassurn s inc 1 airii (drift only) * S ar gas s urn SP inulip^e rum. Carpophyllum maschalocarpum Carpophylluiii plumosum var, typicum

C,i plumps urn var, capillif olium *C, flexuosum

RH0D0PHYGEAE Caulacanthus spinellus Peysonelia atropurpurea Hilderibrandia crouani Melobesia sp. Corallina officinalis Jania rubens *Tylotus prolifcrus Laurencia distiohophylla Laurencia botryohioides Laurencia thyrsifera *Myriograii-_e ovif ormis "(drift only) *Phacelooarpus labillardieri * S.ymphyoc 1 adia mar chant io ide s *Hetcrosiphonia subtilis *Rhodophyllis laingii (?) *Pleonosporium hirtum Polysiphonia sp, *Coramium. sp. "Acroaomium unoinatum *?tilothamnion pectinatum *Bostrychia vaga f. similis '

LICHENES Lichina pygmaea

SiDecies marked with an asterisk were not recorded in V.J* Chapman's account of the algal communities in this locality (". r.cifio Science, Vol, IV, No. 1, January, 1950). Species listed by him but not found during July, 1950, include the following: - 76 -

Bhizoclonium tortuos_um Entpromc)rpha salina Wittrockiella sp. Apophlooa sinclairii Microooreus tenerrimus Gelidium oauSacantheum LyncJpya conf orvoides Dictyota oceilata Aphanocladia delicatula Gigartina chapmanii Liagora harveyana (summer only) Galothrix pilosa

Enterpmbrpha compre ssa fs sul^miplex Rhizoclonium hieroglyphioum Microcoleus acutissimus Rivularia polyotis

The absence of several of these may he accounted for by seasonal flue tuations in occurrence| a more detailed search might have revealed other forms. The most notable absence is that of Apophloea sinclairii, which Professor Chap- man found, though not in abundance, in the Chamaesipho-Volsella-(Apophloea) Association*

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I3A.URAKI GULF TRIP ON THE IKATERE - Carrick Chambers.

On Friday, May 26th a few Field Club members were fortunate in being able to spend a day on the Fisheries Department's Research boat the 'Ikatere*. The three major marine communities, Benthos* Neckton and Plankton, were invest• igated. Samples of the Benthic communities were taken with a conical dredge which was about 2 feet long and 9 inches wide and also by using a heavily built grab.

I. Maoricolpus Formation. In the channel of the inner harbour the dominant animal is the gasteropod Maoricolpus (Turnetella) rosea. The bottom is of coarse shell debris kept fairly free from silts by the strong tidal currents* Sub-dominant molluscs include the gasteropods Cominella adspersa, frochus tiaratus and the lamellibranchs Tawera spissa, Notocorbula zelandica, Mytilins canaliculus, Venericardia purpurata. The. half-crab, Petrolisthes elongatus is extremely common,

II. Echinocardiuffi Formatioft, This covers- a Very large area of* the gulf. The substratum is of very fine grained soft silts and sands. The dominant animals are Echinocardium australe (the heart urchin), Dosinia lambata and the brittle star Amphineura rosea. All these animals are deposit feeders,

III. Tawera Glycymeris Formation. This occurs on hard, clean, shelly substrate in the middle of the main channels of the outer harbour. The dominant animals include Tawera spissa and Glycymeris laticostata - both suspension feeders. Un• fortunately no living specimens were collected although a large amount of the substrate appeared to be of dead shell fragments. The half-orab.(Petrolisthes), Troohus tiaratus, Cominella adspersa and Mytilus canaliculus were also fairly common.

IV. Flabellum-Notocorbula Formation. This was not sampled. It occurs in the Motutapu channel and is of interest because of the presence of the Fan coral, Flabellum rugulosum together with quite a number of other animals not found in the other formations.

A trawl was made between Waiheke Is. and Musick Point with disappointing results for those who were expecting fresh fish. Only about half a dozen snapper (Pagrosomus auratus) and several small stingrays (Bathyloshia brevicaudatus) were netted - one of the poorest catches on record.

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AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ANIMAL PIAIdSTON OF THE AUCI'LAMJJ REG-ION. by Mr. A..S. Fuller, Zoology Dept.., A* U. 0.

The marine zooplankton are those animals which, by various means, swim feebly, or merely float, in the waters of the sea. Practically every major aiiimal phylum has some planlctonic members, but the phyda which con• tribute the bulk of" the zooplankton are: (a) the Ooelenterata, notably jelly fish and siphonophoros; (b) the Arthropoda, notably the copepods, cladocerans and euphausids in the class Crustacea. Many other crustaceans, as will be seen later, spend part of their lives in the plankton; (c) the Chordata, notably Salpa and Qikoploura in the subphylum Tunicata. The muscular development of planktonic animals is never sufficient tc permit them to swim against the current. They may, however, be able to swim ver• tically from one stratum of water to another. Such animals may exhibit diurnal vertical migration. Animals showing such a migration are found in 'i, large numbers at the surface at night, but in the daytime are found only in B the deeper water. A local animal which shows this migration very wvll is .f the euphausid. Nyctiphanes australis Sars. '

Some planktonic animals spend the whole of their lives floating or swimming in the sea. These are the permanent zooplankton. Again N. aust- \ ralis is a case in point, the whole life cycle being spent as a member rf the zooplankton. Other animals may have an early planlctonic phase, and a bent hie or nektonic adult habit. The young of such animals constitute the temporary plankton. The larvae of crabs and barnacles, and the fry of many fish are- examples of temporary plankton.

Elanlcton may be classified, geographically into, neritic and. oceanic populations. In general neritic plankton is found in water near the coast, and of depth less than 200 meters. Oceanic plankton is usually found away from the coast," and in water deeper than 200 meters. Thus the North Sea, which is rarely deeper than 100 meters, has a plankton population which differs from that found in the Atlantic away from the continental shelf. It will be appreciated that temporary plankton is usually found only in the neritic zone.

The Hauraki Gulf has an average depth of 60 meters, and at no point reaches a depth of 200 meters. It might be expected., therefore, that the zooplankton of the Gulf would be exclusively neritic. This, however, is not so. In summer, an influx of ocea.iJ.ic water enters the Gulf through the Col- ville and Cradock Channels. This water brings in a dense population of salps, mainly Thalia (Salpa) democratica (Porskal). Salps are definitely oceanic t plankton, being rarely found, for example, in the North Sea. The salps are associated with known oceanic copepods, for example, Rhinoalanu s cornut us Dana and Sapphirina species. This oceanic influx is usually limited in the southern part of the Gulf by a line drawn KAWAU, TIRI TIRI, MOTO KftWAU, CAPE COLVILLE. Occasionally salps may penetrate as far as VvAIIiEICEi.

At all times neritic plankton only has been found inside a line drawn KWAU, TIRI TIRI, RANG1T0T0, WAIHI_SB', COROMANDEL. The neritic plankton of the Gulf is characterised by the cladocerans Penilia avirostris Dana. Podon polyphemoides Leuckart and Evadne species; the copepods Corycaeus auck- landicus Kramer, Ternora turbinata Dana, Acartia clausii Giesbrecht, Pontolia novae -zel and.iae Parr an, Labidocera cervi Kramer and Euterpina acutifrons (Dana). In addition to these permanent zooplankton' forms there is a seasonal production of barnacle larvae, crab zoeas and megalopas, snapper eggs, and many other larval forms.

The general principles governing the production of zooplankton through• out the year have been worked out in England. There is no reason to believe that these principles do not apply in the Hauraki Gulf. In the Hauraki Gulf, however, there are special factors which affect the seasonal occurrence of some species. These factors are salinity and temperature. It appears probable that the salinity of oceanic water entering the Gulf is related in some way to the presence of salps. A twelve month salinity survey of the Gulf will be completed- in October, and it is hoped that then the effects of salinity in the open water mil be clarified. Salinity of the open water has boon shown to vary between 35.30°/°° and 35.70°/oo. Salinity of the neritic water varies between 34.80°/oo and 35.30°/oo.

The temperature of the Gulf water varies between 13°C« in .August and September to between 20° and 22°0. in February. Temperature has a direct con• trolling effect on tho occurrence of some species. Such a species is Ponilia aviroatris which is not found in tho Gulf in winter, and which appears in the suuimer only when the rater temperature rises above 18°G. The genera Podon and Evadne are affected in a similar way,

Further Reading; -

For a general account of plankton: SVERDRUP, H.U. , JOHNSON, M.W. and FLEMING, R.H. , 1942. The Oceans. Prentice-Hall, (This is the best introduction to oceanography if you wish to be ^a marine biologist. There is a splendid bibliography.)

COLMAN, J.S. , 1950, The Sea and its mysteries. Bell. (This is the best introduction to oceanography for the non-specialist. Good bibliography.)

For vortical migration:

RUSSELL, F.S., 1927. The vortical distribution of plankton in the sea. Biologj-cal Review Vol. 2,

For recognition of local plankton: DAKIN, w.J. and C0»AX> A.N. , 1940. The Pianist on of the Australian Coastal Waters of N.S.W* Publ. Univ. Sydney, Zool. Dept., Monog. No. 1, (Good bibliography for systematica of Australasian- plankton,) •

For papers specifically on the plankton of the Hauraki Gulf:

FUHJER, A,S, , 1950. Temperature Requirements of Penilia avirostris Dana in the Hauraki Gulf, N.Z. Nature, Vol. 165. KRAiiER, A,, 1 -94. On the most frequent Pelagic Copepods and Cladoceres of the Hauraki Gulf- T.N.Z.I., Vol. 27.

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r^— ~ S.Order CALANOIDA S.Order CXCLOPOIDA So Order HARP A C T1001DA Antenna. 2 3-2 5 segments. less than 18 segs.. less than 18 segs. Articulation behind segment between segs.bear• between segs,bearing of body. bearing 5th.legs.• ing 4th & 5th legs 4th and 5th legs. Meta/Uro some varies. greater than 4/1. less than 3/1. Width Ratio, j ' ••• _____ Gonera found Temora,Labidocera ,Sapphirina, Eu t e rp inl% in Gulf. Rhincalanus, Corycaeus,Oncaea. Pontella,Acartia.

ZONATION OP HAURAKI GULP IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 1948, showing oceanic and neritic regions.

(J) Stations recording: Thalia democratica Rhincalanus

cornutus %< Sapphirina spp, W__|T_T/_R I

1

$ Stations recording: Corycaeus © aucklandicus '.;.( ^ ^T'\FVI (3D _f \k0^ '(- Temora. turbinata '.IX Temporary zoo• ® plankton etc.

x*,*\*n Limit of ']^yrh%'i?$s oceanic penetration. ~ 80 -

.fl THDRQIDS OF THE AUORIAKiJ REGION

. ;r:\.i by Dick Kulka,

Hydroids',;,,^boi^ sessile animals are commonly found attached to seaweeds, animals ;ajad rocks, as well as in more unusual habitats such as wharf piles and To'-.te of ships. They are most frequently found attached to seaweeds.- A -woll iiown example of an epizoic hydroid is "mussel beard" (Sertularia bisplp^sa)" while a rarer but interesting phenomenon is that of

a delicate hyd:i-u.,.c' ",Jx. ~ie.s growing on a more robust one. Several small species were found growing on Synthecium elegans dredged from the waitemata Harbour, hydroids are found, oil a rocky substrate only under the stones and ledges of ' heltered pools.

As they are delicate creatures hydroids cannot stand, desiccation and are seldom found elsewhere than ln^vpools and the sub-littoral. For the name reason they are sparser where wayef action is more intense.

There is a definite seasonal fluctuation in the abundance of hydroid ' colonies. Their nnr^or appears to decrease immensely in the period approx• imately from 'h<— her -GO March. This may possibly be due to change in temper, ature or to the variation in the abundance of the small crustaceans on which the polyps feed.

The follr'73ng are the commoner species found around .Auckland, -'h arranged, with ro.sp- <-t to their distribution!

AUCKLAND HARBOUR

FOOLS Obelia geniculata ;'dn«.; (Fig. 1), Almost invariably on Ecklonia. Colon"'"' ^^.^no'ecl in parallel straight rows. Cljvj^ia sp. (n.i.)':" (Fig. 4 (a) and, (b)). On many different substrates - algae, mussels etc. Orthopyxis crena' . '"Kvtlaub.) (Fig, 3 (a) and. (b)). Most frequently found a: ''^riJophyllum. Sertularia sp. (n,::.« - probably Synthecium gracilis in Caughtrey, Trans. N. Z. Inst. 1r 74). (Fig, 7 (a) and. (b)), Common species usually on Carpop Vallum., Sertularella crasr • --icda Bale. (Fig. 5 (a) and (b;). Very comuj.on, con- spic-.c- -. ..'.'JLly on Carpophyllum.

Sertulare 11 a sirr:,). ;x -Hutton). Very similar to, but more delicate than, S. crassiuscula, *-7 lose specific name means "a little thicker". hot quite so coiiF'vj'a, Also on Carpophyllum. Plumularia spp. This genus has not yet been studied in detail - at leas!; th.t 20 species, including F. set ace a (Ellis) (fig, 13 (a) *> and (b)V, /""ound on Corallina and various brown algae as well as on rocks and mussels - at sides of pools.

SUB-LIT'J RAL.

All the above species are found as Tfell as t ...e following: Sertularia bispino^.a (Gray). (Fig. 8). "Mussel beard"; grows fairly deep - collected only at very low tides,

Halecium sp. (n.i.) (Fig. 9P a and. b). On Sargassum almost without exception,

DREDGED

Hydroids dredged on several occasions in the harbour showed a marked difference to the shallower water species. Their size and abundance was in soioe cases striking,

Sertularia bispinosa. On Mussels,

* Not identified. Sertularolla sp, (n„i.) (Fig. 6), Motuihi - Mototapu Channel, Formed, a dense mat, Substrate not known. Synthecium elegans Allman. (Fig, 12 a and b), Large specimens found alive for the first time - previously only found washed up on the West Coast, "White if dead, yellowish if alive.

Plumularia sp, (n. i.) Nine inches long.' Motuihi - Motutapu Channel.

DRIFT. Many different epiphytic species are found on seaweed cast up in the drift. Most of the shallow- water species are represented as well as several species which have not, so far, been found alive. Haleciurn sp. (n. i.) (Fig. 10 a and b). Found mostly on Sargassum. Very common in the Tamaki district, Eudendriurn sp, (n. i.) (Fig. 17 a and b). This is the only Gymnoblast common enough to mention. (A gymnoblast is a hydroid without chitinous cups protecting the polyps and reproductive bodies. All the other hydroids men• tioned are Calyptoblasts). This species has been found in abundance in the drift at Milford, It is characterised by its amborescent form and wiry cuticle,

THE TOT COAST. / '

The hydroids found on the West Coast show a marked contrast to. thos-e of' the Auckland Harbour as may be expected. . No thorough work has been done on the pools as the roost significant species are to be found in the drift. In the narrow strip of sand above high tide level the most beautiful and spect• acular specimens have been found. The variety of species is even greater than was at first suspected. These include: Sertularia bispinosa Found in thick masses. Sertularella sp. (n. i.) Very large thecac, not unlike S. cra.ssiuscula in habit although it branches. Selaginopsis rnonolifera (Hutton), (Fig. 11). This species is unmistakeable, forming a flat network of interconnected dichotomous branches with gonotheccae at the forks (see diagram). Stereotheca zelandica (Gray). (Fig, 14 a and b). Grows to about 4-,f in length. *See p. 32, Stereotheca spp. At least three other species of this genus have been found. Two are very similar to S, zelandica and one is similar to-/ S,. elongata. Care must therefore be taken in identification, Synthecium elegans 0?ig. 12), Quite common, Aglaophenia acanthocarpa Allman. (Fig. 16 a and b). This is brorn in colour. Found most frequently on the holdfasts of Ecklonia. It is indist• inguishable from Halicornaria rostrata5 an allied species, without a microscope.

The holdfasts of Ecklonia plants found washed up often have a large hydroid population. This is most probably attributable to the shelter from wave action which they provide.

It is not clear where most of the hydroids found in the drift one growing. The problem is further complicated by the fact that many of the species washed up are found in;'amazing. abundance inside the Manukau Harbour*.

Therefore without dredging operations, or a careful study of ocean currents3 it is,.iiapossible to decide if they grow inside or outside the Harbour. W'hatipu- is an extremely good collecting ground and material has been found at all other West Coast beaches visited,

A species not mentioned in the above account, because of its rather specialised habitat is Silicularia oampanularia. It has been found just in• side the Manukau Heads and at the Noises Is, as well as in other localities which show that it has a preference for places of medium exposure.

The above account is merely a guide to the commoner species. It must be emphasised that "n„ i." does not mean that a species has not been des• cribed but rather that we have been unable to identify it owing to lack of time or literature.

10

LITER/TORE ON N„ Z.i'T aOJJJS,

Trans, Hi Z. Inst, Hutton - 1672. """ ' Coughtrey, - 1 874 and 1 875. Farouhar "List of the N,Z. Hydroids" - IO96. Hilr-endorf "On the Hydroids in the Neighbourhood of Dunedin" - 1897- Bale - 1924.

For :;r . v. 'CJS to various papers in the Linnean Soc, Journal see Balec

GENERAL "Hyd:.- '.-V t^--: Pacific Coast of Camda & U.S. - Eraser (A.U.C.Library). "Bri'V. 1 f j-ophytos. " - Hincks. AIImew .. , -tin3 (Auckland Museum).

\ ' HI ,' {fix: , \\\ y'V'' \\\vf •-'

,1 * •t / /

/// - 84 -

INSECT RECORDS - 1930. -Mohn Edwards.

Though no intensive collecting was done during the year, at the various camps many interesting records were made, and many specimens taken. These have been summarized below. It is intended to make locality lists for the Auckland district, which at present has few published lists in comparison with other dis• tricts such as Wellington. In addition, a Field Club collection has been started which, it is hoped, will soon be located at the University to provide a reference collection of use in identifying specimens for the records.

The first part of the records deals with more interesting records of the year, the second -part being a list of the year's identified records.

0RTH0PTERA. Locusta mifiratoroides was very common in vegetation fringing the beach - notably Meuhlenbeckia - at Fletcher's Bay. Clitorchus laeviusculus - common in Leptospermum near Mt. Moehau. This stick insect is not usually found in great numbers, but the scrub near Mt. Moehau was an exception to this rule. """"""

LEPIDOPTERA: The Blue Moon (Hypolimnas bolina) was seen at Fletcher's Bay, One male was found resting on a rock at the western end of the Bay, but was not collected. The Blue Moon is increasing in numbers in the North Auckland area.

NQ-UROPTERA: The lacewing (Myrmeleon.. acutus) was taken at Huia, Swanson, and Bet hells. The larvae - ant lions - make cone shaped pits in dust to trap ants which are held by powerful jaws. Several larvae ?/ere taken in February and fed periodically on ants and flies. They pupated in early August within spherical cases constructed from dust particles and Yreb.

COLEOPTERA; At Huia, during April, inflorescences of Senecio kirkii were found to harbour a great many small weevils. A small, steely-blue species with two large spines on the elytra - Scolobterus tetracanthus - was the most evident. With it was a smaller brown, weevil Stephanorhyncus lawsoni.

DIPTERA: Thanatodictya tillyardi, a fly with a pointed horizontal proboscis, was taken on a Puriri tree near Karekare in April.

APHMilPTERA: An unidentified species of ectoparasite occurred abundantly in the wool-shed at Fletcher's Bay,

GENERAL LIST

C0T_LEMB0LA-

Neanura rosacea and N. muscorum - both on rotting log, Huia railway. Proisotomorus novaezelandiae - leaf mould, Huia, Achorutes armatus - leaf mould, Coromandel. A. pseudopurpurasoens - leaf mould, Huia. and Fletcher's Bay. • Onychiuris fimetatus - under teatree bark, Huia. Cryptopygus atratus - clay bank, Glendowie, July, Pseudolepidophorella longitera - Huia dam in rotting log - June.

0RTH0PTERA • Platyzosteria novaeselandiae - Mt. Moehau, common, May. Gryllus servillei - Fletcher's Bay, Mt. Moehau, Huia, frequent, Hemidiena megacephala - Mt. Moehau, Swanson - many heard.

DERMAPTERA Anisolabis littorea - Fletcher's Bay and Russell, common in seawedd. 85

QDONATA Austrolestes colensohiiu - frequent at Swanson. Xanthoonemis zelandica - Fletcher's Bay, Bethells, frequent.

TRICHOPTERA . Triplectides obsoleta - one female near stream, Fletcher's Bay, May.

LEPIDOPTERA

Vanessa gonerilla - one at Fletcher's Bay, May. Dodonidia helmsi - one at Ruapehu, January. . Chrysophanus salustius - several coastal form, Picton, February. Selidosema dejectaria, - Noises, Fletcher's Bay. S. suavis - Swanson, February, one at Huia, April, Porina characterifera:- one at Epsom,. February. Crambus flcxuocellus - very common during February,

COLEOPTERA " ' v:" • *

Prionoplus reticularis - common at Swanson, February. Pericoptus truncatus - one at Bethells, August. Cicindella tuberculata - common at Fletcher's Bay, C. ezonata - National Park, February. C. parryi - National Park, February. Ooccinella tasmani - several taken at Huia, April* Lissotes (phillpotti?). - Huia, April, one specimen, L„ reticularis - National Park, February, v Uloma tenebroides - 1000 ft. Mt. Moehau, frequent at Huia. Artystoma vicina several at Huia, April, . Stenopetes pulverulenta - National Park, several, February. Zorion guttigerum - one, attracted to light, National Park, February, • MecodeiraO''connori - National Park, in tussock, February.

HYMENOPTERA

Monomorium antarcticum - several nests with many queens found, below stones on Huia Railway, 'April. * Salius monarchus -very common at Fletcher's Bay, May,— Polistes humilus - several nests at Noises, March.

DIPTERA •

Arachno—oampa luminoaa - larvae very common around Fletcher's Bay, Nootytamus varius - frequent during January and February, Henderson Valley,

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