Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 1.djvu/228

148 many new forms typical of the antarctic regions. The proportion which the smaller division of flowering plants (Monocotyledones) bears to the greater (Dicotyledones), is very large, being as 1 to 2.2; in either hemisphere this division increases on attaining a high latitude; but that of Melville Island must be reached in the north, to meet with a similar ratio. It is worthy of notice that this large proportion does not depend on an increased number of grasses, which form a smaller item in this flora than they do in that of the Falklands or of Melville Island; but is due to the number of Cyperaceæ and Orchideæ, both of which equal the grasses; and probably also to the small amount of Compositæ amongst the Dicotyledones."

Respecting the zoology of these islands, Mr. Cormick observes:—"There is no species of land animal, with the exception of the domestic pig, introduced several years ago, and now in a wild state. The birds are all New Zealand species, from which country these islands have unquestionably been colonised by the feathered tribe. Of land birds there are not more than seven or eight species, and of these the beautiful "Tooe" bird of New Zealand, and a small olive-green species allied to Meliphagidæ, are the chief choristers of the woods, which are in many places almost impenetrable, the trees and underwood forming dense thickets. The water birds consist of a New Zealand species of duck (teal), a mergus (Merganser), a species of phalarocrocorax,