404 BOTANICAL SUKVKY OF DISMAL SWAMP REGION. 



virgin forests of the region. Every where conditions have been some- 

 what altered by man, especially in the removal of more or less of the 

 original growth of pine: 



1. Near the western branch of the Elizabeth River. Soil sandy, but with a 

 stiff subsoil, consequently almost always moist. Forestof small pines (P. taeda), 

 mostly 10 to 15 meters high, which are apparently giving place to hard woods, 

 mostly sweet gum (Liquidambar) and oaks (Quercus nigra, Q. phellos, Q. alba). 

 Black gum (Nyssa sylvatiea) is also abundant among the pines, and is sometimes 

 nearly as tall. Undergrowth, dense, consisting largely of small red maple (Acer 

 rubrum), Oxydendrum arboreum, Rhus copallina , Gaylussaeia j 'random, Olethra 

 alnifolia, Sassafras, Aralia spinosa. and much Artmdinaria tecta. 



2. Near the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River. Soil gray, sandy, with 

 about an inch of top mold, moist. Forestof small pines, chiefly (> to 10 meters 

 high, mixed with Liquidambar (the largest 32 meters high and 6 decimeters in 

 diameter), Quercus nigra, Q. digitata. and Oxydendrum arboreum. Undergrowth 

 rather dense, low, chiefly Rhus copallina, small Liquidambar, and Ilex glabra, 

 with various other shrubs and young trees. In open spots species of Panicum, 

 especially P. laxiflorum, are very abundant. Nearer the river the soil is drier and 

 sandier, and Myrica carolinensis forms the major part of the undergrowth. 



3. Near Kempsville. a typical inland locality east of Norfolk. Soil rather heavy 

 (sand and silt), grayish in color, with about 5 centimeters of black top mold, very 

 moist. Pines largely replaced by hardwoods— Acer rvbrum, Liquidambar (the 

 largest 30 meters high and 1 meter in diameter near the base), Liriodendron 

 (occasionally very large), Fagus americana, Quercus phellos, Q. micltauxii, Q. alba, 

 Q. veltttina, Xyssa sylvatiea, t'arpinus carotin tana. Undergrowth dense, con- 

 sisting of small individuals of the deciduous trees, together with Oxydendrum, 

 Azalea eanescens, Pyrus angustifolia, Aralia spinosa, Xolisma ligustrina, etc. 

 Lianas abundant and occasionally climbing high -Smilax rotundifolia, Vitis 

 rotundifolia, Rhus radicans, Parthenocissus quinguefolia, and Teconia radicans. 



4. Lynnhaven Station. Soil a rather stiff, grayish loam with 2 or 3 centimeters 

 of top mold. Trees almost exclusively Pinus taeda, 15 to 20 meters high and 

 standing rather closely. Undergrowth largely of Myrica carolinensis (averaging 

 "> meters in height), with Ilex glabra, ('omits Jlorida, Liquidambar, Quercus 

 phellos, Q. velutina, Q. nigra, Q. alba, Q. minor, Q. digitata, Acer rubrum, Ilex 

 opaca (one tree 12 meters high and 3 decimeters in diameter), Persea pubescens, 

 Xyssa sylvatiea, etc. Lianas not very abundant and chiefly low,— Smilax rotundi- 

 folia, Gclsetuiuii scmperrircuK. 



5. Lynnhaven Station, about one-half kilometer from the preceding locality. 

 Soil sandier, drier, with almost no humus. Pines low (8 meters or so) and more 

 scattered. Undergrowth sparser and with less variety of species— Liquidambar, 

 Quercus digitata, Myrica, Sassafras. Rhus copallina, Prunus angustifolia, Rubus 

 villosus. Ground thinly covered with grasses, Stipa avenacea, etc., and other 

 scattered herbs— Clirysopsis graniinifolia, llelianthus atrorubens. etc. 



0. Deep Creek, near the northeastern edge of the Dismal Swamp. Soil to a 

 depth of 2 decimeters (8 inches) a moist, rich, brown loam, then stiff er, grayish, 

 containing much silt. Small pines 12 to 18 meters (40 to 00 feet) high constitute 

 hardly one-half of the forest, which includes Quercus alba (sometimes as tall as 

 the pines), Liquidambar, Xyssa sylvatiea, Acer rubrum. and. less important, Fagus. 

 Liriodendron, Ilex opaca, Quercus nigra, Quercus micltauxii, and Oxydendrum. 

 Among the undergrowth, young hard wood trees with Kalmia latifolia and 

 Symplocos tinetoria are most abundant, while Ilex glabra, Aralia spinosa, 

 Amndinaria. Clethra, Vaccinium corymbosum, Hamamclis virginiana, Leucothoe 

 axillaris, Amelanchier botryapium, etc., are common. Lianas are chiefly low, 

 climbing over the bushes— Gelsemium, Smilax rotundifolia, Vitis rotundifolia, 



