FLORA OF THE ISLAND OF SHIKOTAN. 44] 
forests only a few shade-loving plants can thrive, viz., Leucothoé Grayana, 
Listera cordata, L. nippontca, Ephippranthus Schmidtii, Galium triflorum, 
Vaccinium præstans, Cirera alpina, Owvalis Acetosella, Clintonia udensis, 
Ribes latifolium, Athyrium pterorachis, and Athyrium Filix-femina. On the 
margin of the forest one comes across Aralia spinosa, Lonicera Masimo- 
wieziana, Pæonia obovata, ¿Igopodium alpestre, and Spirwa media. In the 
south-western corner of the island there is a beautiful forest of the famous 
Larix kurilensis. This tree is not very tall, and some are even quite stunted 
though they are old and have thick trunks. 
Along the mountain-streams Filipendula hamtschatica, Cnicus kamtschaticus, 
Cacalia hastata, Artemisia vulgaris, Eupatorium sachalinense, Aruncus sylvester 
var. kamtschatica are generally met with, and occasionally the tall Petasites 
japonicus var. giganteus. The largest specimen of the Petasites I saw had a 
petiole about 6 feet long, and the lamina about 5 feet across. There are two 
most noxious plants especially occurring abundantly near the streams. One 
is Urtica platyphylla, and the other is Phalaris arundinacea. The latter 
grows as high as 6 feet or sometimes more, and is so dense that the 
traveller cannot see the lower part of his body, nor where lie is walking. In 
their lower reaches the streams are often lined with Saliw opaca, a species 
which is very fond of moist places, and sometimes with Alnus incana. 
The vegetation of the mountains does not differ very much from that of the 
hills. ‘The greater part of the mountains is covered with bamboos, as already 
mentioned. As one approaches the summit one sees very dwarf specimens 
of Alans incana, A. Alnobetula, and the almost creeping Salix Reinii, which 
are often not more than 2 feet in height. In rocky and more or less exposed 
places one comes across plants which are also found on the rocky cliffs near 
the sea. I also saw abundant growth of Lycopodium clavatum and Crypto- 
gramme crispa, Which do not seem to occur near the sea, while, on the other 
hand, such cliff-plants as Artemisia Schmidtiana, Conioselinum kamtschaticum, 
and Ligusticum scoticum are not found on the mountains, Nor have 1 
seen such plants of alpine character as Geum calthijolium var. dilatatum, 
Polygonum polymorphum var. ajanense, and Rhododendron chrysanthum near 
the sea ; they are confined to the mountain summits. 
Swamps are characterized by the presence of Carew cuspitosa var. minuta, 
the dense tufts of which form a sort of stepping stones, which help one in 
crossing swampy places. Another dominant plant is a huge aroid, Lysichiton 
camtschatcense, with its rosette of long and broad leaves. Sphagnum bogs 
harbour a variety of beautiful flowers. Characteristic elements ot this 
vegetation are Eriophorum vaginatum, Oxycoccus palustris, Drosera rotundi- 
folia, Galium trifidum, Ledum palustre var. dilatatum, Spiræa betulifolia, 
S. salicifolia, Menyanthes trifoliata, Epilobium lineare, Veratrum album, 
Gentiana jesoana, Potentilla fruticosa, Clematis fusca var. kamtschatica, Jew 
crenata, Lathyrus palustris, and often Geranium erianthum. 
