en eae te ee 
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narrow rocky gulleys and ravines. However, nearly perpendicular “scars” 
show a scanty growth of grass and of light-loving ferns. The vegetation 
ona “burn” at the head of one of these slides is worthy of mention because 
it shows the presence of a dense mat of Funaria clavescens, a species 
closely related to the Funaria which occupies similar situations in parts 
of the United States, and here, strangely enough, the cosmopolitan 
Pleridium aquilinum is also present. After a “slide” has occurred, 
the vegetal reclamation is rapid. In many places Funaria calvescens 
is the pioneer. The grasses Miscanthus japonicus, Garnotia stricta, the 
sedges ypolytrum latifolium and Carex continua, and the ferns Pleris 
tripartata and Pteridium aquilinum are among the other species which 
may be mentioned as establishing an early foothold. ‘These may be 
closely followed by acanthaceous and rubiaceous shrubs. In one place, 
Rubus moluccanus, R. rosaefolius, and R. tagallus were noted, while in 
addition, scattered specimens of the euphorbiaceous trees Macaranga 
cumingtt and Homalanthus populneus are usually present, Melastoma 
fusca being also an early comer. As the stability of the slide increases, 
the composition finally partakes of the nature of the vegetation which 
is nearest to it. 
Summary.—1. The Rugenia-Vaccinium formation may be divided into 
two parts; the exposed ridges and their less exposed, unstable slopes. 
2. The ridge vegetation is characterized by stunted trees, due to the 
influence of the wind, and by its richness in epiphytes, caused by the 
frequency of fogs. 
3. The vegetation of the ridge is strongly suggestive of the “heaths” 
of the north temperate zone, excepting that heath-like trees replace 
the shrubby growth of the latter region; and orchids, filmy ferns, and 
liverworts are found in addition to the lichens and mosses. 
4, The instability of the slopes prevents the best possible development 
of the vegetation which the climate (exclusive of wind) might support. 
5. At the same altitude, different physiographic situations show a 
marked difference in the ecological character of the vegetation. 
VI. STRAND FORMATIONS. 
The vegetation of the strand has been divided into two distinct types; 
that of the sandy seacoast lying above high tide, and that of the muddy 
shore situated between low and high tide. These two types, which are 
often adjacent, have an ecological similarity, but floristically they show 
a decided difference. Our knowledge of the composition and of. the 
ecological adaptations of the strand vegetation is due in the main to 
Schimper ** and Karsten.°” 
* Schimper, A. F. W.: Loe. cil., 387-411, also, Die indo-malayische Strandflora, 
Bot-Mittgn. Trop. (1891), 3. 
® Karsten, G.: Ueber die Mangrove-Vegetation im Malayischen Archipelago, 
Bib. Bot. (1891), 22. 
