526 Floristik und Systematik der Phanerogamen. 



Smith, W. G. and R., Botanical Survey of Scotland; 

 Parts III and IV, Forfar and Fife. (Scottish Geographi- 

 ca! Magazine. Vol. XX and XXL Dec. 1904. Jan., Feb., 

 March, 1905. 60 pages. 14 figures and 2 maps.) 



Robert Smith shortly before bis death, in 1900 published Parts I 

 (Edinburgh District) and II(Northern Perthshire); the field-notes 

 and maps of Forfar and Fife left incomplete have been completed and 

 edited. The area has much fine scenery due to numerous deep, wooded 

 Valleys, and is intersected by St ra th m o r e , a great Inland valley vvhich 

 divides the Highlands of Scotland from the L o w 1 a n d s. The coloured 

 maps (by Bartholomew) show zones of Vegetation following one 

 another in almost parallel succession from the sea-coast to over 600 

 metres. The introduction is a summary of the botanical surveys 

 carried out in Britain since 1900 (extending to about 6000 sq. miles); 

 some of the larger plant associations are climatic, but most of the asso- 

 ciations are determined by edaphic conditions; „substituted associations" 

 in Drude's sense, due mainly to the influence of man and his cattle, 

 must also be recognised. 



Farmland or Region of cultivation. This is a substituted asso- 

 ciation which has replaced the primitive forest of the lower hüls and 

 Valleys, the morasses of the larger Valleys, and some part of the lower 

 moorland above the forest zone. The true wheat area is limited to shel- 

 tered localities with good soll, but wheat can be grown up to 120 to 150 

 metres altitude, according to soil and climate. Barley and potatoes 

 are farm crops up to about 250 m., while oats and turnips are chief crops 

 on the highest zone, 300 to 400 m. These zones of cultivation are re- 

 lated to climate; the rainfall varies from 11 c. m. par ann. in the lower 

 zones, to 14 c. m. in the higher; the annual ränge of temperature is 

 about 22" F varying in the lower zone from a mean of 37" F. in january 

 lo 58" F. in July. 



Woodland and tree regions (9 pages). Most of the lowland woods 

 consist of deciduous trees (European, etc.) and are substituted asso- 

 ciations replacing primitive forest. The native dominant trees — Oak, 

 Scots Pine, and Birch — are still abundant, but the effects of the open 

 canopy on the ground Vegetation of woods of these trees has been much 

 modified by the introduction of shade trees (Beech and Coniferae). 

 Mixed deciduous and Oak woods occur up to 280 metres. Birch woods 

 occur as remains of Oak or Pine forest, and as the highest zone of forest 

 on the mountains up to 600 metres. The Conifer woods consist chiefly 

 of Scots Pine (P. süvestris), but Larch and Spruce are also com- 

 mon. These woods occupy sand, peat, and other poor soils in the low- 

 lands and on the mountain moorland. The Vegetation of Caenlochan 

 Forest (600 to 760 metres) is described in detail, because this is pro- 

 bably the highest existing forest of large size in Britain. 



Moorland (19 pp). The Grampian moorland lying north of 

 Strathmore and rising to about 1000 metres, is distinguished from 

 ttiat of the Northern Heights of the Scottish Lowlands, which 

 !ie south of Strathmore and rarely reach 600 m. The effect of physi- 

 cal features on the distribution of plants is examined on the Ochil and 

 Sidlaw ranges of hills. These hills consist of sandstones of the Old Red 

 period broken through by lavas of that period, by basalts of a later age, 

 and subject to erosion at a later time. The Vegetation is grass heath 

 differing according to geological conditions, while in one part where ba- 

 saltic intrusion has been extensive, there is a marked change to heather 

 (Calliina). The Grampian area presents distinct zones, mainly correlated 

 with geological changes, and an Arctic summit region. This latter (900 

 to 1000 metres) is largely covered with deep peat with Vaccinium Myr- 

 tillus as dominant species with such characteristic plants as: Cornus 

 suecica, Betiila nana, Carex rigida, etc. The localities of Clova and 

 Caenlochan, so well-known by the work of G. Don and other bota- 

 nists, are included in the Arctic region, although not shown on the maps. 



