PLANTS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE ALPS. 



123 



" In the flora of the upper zone of the Alps I count 1117 different species, which have 

 been arranged in 279 genera and GO natural orders. The proportion which tlie natural 

 orders bear to each other is not very different from that which they show in tlie general 

 flora of the Alps. The Coinpositoi still form about one-eighth of the whole ; but the 

 Leguminous tribe, the Grasses, and the XJmbelliferac show a smaller percentage. The 

 Crucifers and the Caryoi^hyllece are comparatively more numerous, as are the six tribes 

 which I have already spoken of as especially characteristic of mountain floras *. For 

 the glacial region I shall not attempt to give you accurate figures, for the simple reason 

 that sufficient materials do not exist. I have long since asccrtiiined that the real check 

 to the extension of many species in the highest zone of the Alps is not climatal, but the 

 want of soil and situation suitable to each plant ; and where from accidental circum- 

 stances these are found, the glacial region is seen not to be so inhospitable as is commonly 

 supposed." (Proc. K. Geogr. Soc. 1879, p. 5G9.) 



Of the Alpine flora in general, and that of the middle or infra-glacial zone referred to 

 above as the " Upper " (and below as '* Higher "), Mr. Ball gives the following detailed 

 analysis : — 



The following are the natural orders represented in the Alpine flora ; those printed in 

 italics do not extend to the higher zone : 



Ranunculacese. 



Berheridea . 



Nymph(eace(E. 



Papaveraceae. 



Cruci ferae. 



Resedacea. 



Cistineae. 



Vjolariese. 



Polygaleae. 



Caryophylleae. 



Portulacetg. 



Tarriariscinece. 



Malvacea. 



Tiliaceee. 



Hypericineae. 



Lineae. 



Geraniaceae. 



Rutacece. 



lUcifieoe. 



Celastrinea. 



Rhananeae. 



SapindacecE (Acer). 



Anacardiace<E , 



liegiiminosae. 



Rosacese. 



Saxifragese. 



Crassulaceae. 



Droseracece. 



Halorageae. 



Lt/thraria. 



Onagrarieae. 



Umbelliferae. 



Araliaceoe, 



Cornea. 



Ca])rifoliacese. 



Rubiaceae. 



Valerianeae. 



Dipsaceae. 



Composit^e. 



Campanulaceae. 



Vaccinieae. 



Ericaceae. 



Pyrolaceae. 



MonotropecB. 



Phirabagineae. 



Primulacese. 



Oleacece. 



AsclepiadecB. 



Gentianese. 



Polemoniaceae. 



Boraginese. 



Convolvulacete. 



Solanacets. 



Scrophularineae. 



Orobancheaj. 



LentibulariefE. 



Selagineae. 



Labiatae. 



Plantagineaj. 



Chenopodiaceae. 



Polygonaceae. 



Paronychieae. 



Thymelcie. 



Eleagne<B. 



UrticacecE. 



Cannabinea. 



Ulmaceee. 



Betulaceae. 



Salicineae. 



Euphorbiaceae. 



Buxinece. 



Erapetreae, 



Aristolochiea. 



CupulifertE. 



Corylacea. 



Loranihacea. 



Santalaceae. 



Coniferae. 



Gnetacea, 



Orchideae. 



Iridcae. 



Amaryllideae. 



DioscorecB. 



Alismacea. 



Juncagineae. 



Potaraeae. 



Typbaceae, 



Aroide<B. 



Lemnacea. 



Libaceae. 



Melantliaceae. 



Smilaceae. 



Asparagem. 



Junceae. 



Cyperaceae. 



Graminese, 



* «« The six famibes which take their names from the rose, the ranunculus, the saxifrage, the primrose, the 

 campanula, and the gentian " {I. c. p. bQb). 



