The Philippine Journal of Science 1914 
mixture of grassland and parang vegetation that clothes the 
northern slopes at lower altitudes. 
The Acacia farnesiana consocies.—Readily invading the upper 
part of the deltal flats and the lower sides of the ash ridges 
in the more devastated areas, as well as the Jmperata areas in 
the less devastated parts, is a shrub parang consocies dominated 
by Acacia farnesiana. This consocies has started from many 
centers of distribution both in grassland and in nonvegetated 
areas. It is spreading rapidly, as it is a fast grower, produces 
‘many seeds normally distributed by birds, and is associated with 
nitrifying bacteria which make it relatively independent in the 
poor soil. Although the leaves are small, the aggregate shade 
cast by this species after its branches begin to spread over the 
surrounding vegetation soon eliminates the grass and establishes 
thicket conditions, which are not easily displaced except by 
trees. 
The consocies is perfectly typical, containing many individuals 
of the dominant species and very little of anything else. In 
this area it generally does not enter into pioneer competition 
with other parang consocies, but readily invades all grass con- 
socies where conditions are at all favorable for the Acacia. Al- 
though it mixes with some of the other parang consocies as the 
distribution proceeds from the centers, it is not readily dis- 
placing any of them, but rather is living conjointly with them. 
In spite of the density of the Acacia thicket, there is abundant 
opportunity for seedlings of trees to become established. The 
growth of these causes the Acacia to become more treelike to 
the upper limit of its growth, after which the trees obtain control 
of the situation. Like the Tabernaemontana consocies it will 
come in on crests of ridges at various elevations, but generally 
there it occurs in depressions or potholes or close to the side 
of the crest. 
The Antidesma consocies.—This consocies of the parang asso- 
ciation, a characteristic invader in grassland areas in many parts 
of the Philippines, is on Taal but feebly represented as a con- 
socies by Antidesma ghesaembilla and Antidesma bunius, asso- 
ciated with Callicarpa blancoi, invading grassland on Mount 
Mataas-na-golod. These species of plants are represented some- 
what more abundantly in the general parang, but apparently 
will not be a conspicuous feature in the revegetation of Taal 
Voleano. 
The Gliricidia consocies.—This easily characterized consocies 
of tall shrubs, abundantly present on the mainland, is very poorly 
