A SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION.
MEETS WITH FAI R SUCCESS. Pross Association.
INVERCARGILL, Doc. I. The band of scientists who went to Campbell and Auckland Islands returned by the Ilinemoa on Saturday afternoon. They hud a very arduous time, and appear to have achieved some measure of success. Dr. Cockayne has brought back 12 cages of birds, including 10 flightless ducks and 24 parrikots, ‘ somo of which aro specimens of the rarest bird in the world. The Antipodes parrakeot, fern birds, robins, and snipe from tlio Snares, died on Auckland Islands. Dr. Cockayne believes ho lias discovered some new facts relating to tlio manner in which tho various species have got arranged into associations in harmony with tho climate, jtliu indigenous animals and the soil, and tho
adaptations of plants to conditions of sub-Antarctic climnto. Disappointment Island' contains 31 species of flowering plants and ferns. Air. J S. Tennant, speaking in regard to botanical work, said lie thought a dozen plants would be added to tho number already chronicled. Complete collections have been made, and in working up these something fresh may turn up. The most southerly tree ferns in the world were found growing in Norman Inlet. Mr. Tennant ill enthusiastic about the flowers, which he says are the finest lie ever saw outside the tropics. The sheep, liberated on the bills have nearly all disappeared, but wild pigs seem to have increased and are doing lunch damage ’to vegetation. Professor Kirk said that the sheep on the Campbell Island are making great changes in the vegetation by eating down the native tussock, so that a large portion of the island bids fair to become barren. The magnificent herbaceous flowering ligusticunis are also being eaten out. Mr. Aston obtained many soil sam-
ples, and bis results may change our conception of general soil characters of tho islands. Tho magnetic observations arc regarded as very satisfactory. Tlio geologists discovered remains of prehistoric glaciers in practically all tho valleys.
The entomologist obtained 40 species of insects, of which twelvo may be li ew.
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2052, 2 December 1907, Page 3
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340A SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION. Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2052, 2 December 1907, Page 3
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