with Geographic Botany. — Soil, 525 



mineral substances are a necessary part of plants^ but it seems 

 more probable that they are foreign matters entering the tis- 

 sues with the nutrient fluids, and of no use in the oeconomy 

 of vegetation. In mentioning a few instances, we shall pass 

 over altogether the results which have been elicited by culti- 

 vation^ as in this state it is frequently the object to obtain an 

 engagement of, or a determination of nutrient matter to, a 

 particular organ or set of organs, very different to what is ob- 

 served in natural healthy vegetation. 



The vegetation of chalky soils can nowhere be better studied 

 than in our own country ; chalk being unknown in some of 

 the large continents, though limestone is one of the most 

 abundant rocks. The natural families of Lahiatce, Orchidece, 

 and some members of Legwninos(E, display the greatest par- 

 tiality, whilst many other families have species which show a 

 decided preference. DeCandolle gives the following as chalk- 

 loving plants : — Buxus sempervirens, Potentilla rupestris, P. 

 caulescens, Polypodium calcareum, Gentiana cruciata, Ascle- 

 pias vincetoxicum, Cyclamen europceum, Trifolium montanum, 

 Adonis vernalis, with several species of Oxalis, Bupleurum, Se- 

 dum, Lichen, &c. 



As partial to a siliceous soil the same talented botanist men- 

 tions Castanea vesca, Digitalis purpurea, Sedum villosum, Pte- 

 ris crispa, Polystichum oreopteris, Saxi/raga stellaris, Achil- 

 lea moschata, Carex pyrenaica. 



Soils impregnated strongly with saline matter are frequently 

 spread over extensive districts ; a large tract in Mesopotamia 

 is covered wdth a species of Artemisia ; several genera of Fi- 

 coidecB and ChenopodicB will grow nowhere else ; and Umbel- 

 liferce. Composite, Plantagineae, Polygonea, Plumhaginem, Nyc- 

 tagineae {Abronia, several species,) have all members with a 

 similar bias. The cocoa-nut palm will not thrive out of the 

 influence of the salt air of the ocean, and it is in its happiest 

 vigour among the low coral islands of the Pacific, when its 

 roots are almost bathed by the waves. The sugar-cane also 

 prefers a saline soil, and some of the plantations of the West 

 Indies occupy land originally overflow^ed by the sea. The ve- 

 getation of the Natron lakes of Central Africa does not seem 

 very abundant, but on the margins of some date trees thrive, 

 and their marshy borders are invested by grasses and a species 

 of Juncus. A distinction may be made according to the saline 

 constituent ; in some cases this is nitrate of pota.>h, as in the 

 maritime parts of ChiU and Peru ; natron or carbonate of 

 soda prevails in Egypt ; in others it is the chloride of sodium, 

 and this is more frequent in saline marshes near the sea. 



