Jan., 1919] Effects of the Eruption on Vegetation 193 



ALL SPECIES SUFFERED ALIKE. 



All subsequent observation confirms and strengthens the 

 point made in the former report, (Griggs-), of the remarkable 

 absence of specific effects of the eruption proper on different 

 plants. So far as can be seen, most of the flowering plants 

 suffered alike. Where any perished, most perished, and where 

 any escaped, almost all escaped. 



The marked differences shown in the recoveries of different 

 species are traceable in almost every instance to some readily 

 observable difference in habit or adaptation. Thus Eqiiisetum 

 arvense came through where nothing else could, not because of 

 any greater toughness of constitution or greater capacity to 

 endure burial, but because it could send out runners of a greater 

 length than other plants. Salix alaxensis recovered better 

 than the poplars, not because more hardy, but because of its 

 capacity of forming adventitious roots which the poplars 

 lacked. Where here and there a few plants survived in the region 

 of total destruction, it was for the most part due not to 

 superior resistance but to a fortunate location. 



This point is well brought out by a comparison of the 

 condition of certain of the surviving plants in Soluka Valley, 

 where the ashfall was six feet, accompanied by a blast, and around 

 Kodiak, where the ashfall was one foot without marked eleva- 

 tion in temperature. All of the species mentioned were com- 

 mon in both localities before the eruption. 



SOLUKA VALLEY. KODIAK. 



Alnus sinuata (only one seen alive) Not injured. 



Equisetum arvense (scarce) The most abundant survival. 



Athyrium cydosorum (thrifty) No survivors observed. 



Trientalis arctica (flowering) No survivors observed. 



Ledum decumbens (flowering) No survivors observed. 



Betula rotundifolia (thrifty) Only occasional. 



Empetrum nigrum (thrifty) Very rarely survived, was ubiciuitous. 



Vaccinium uliginosurn (fruiting) No survivors observed. 



Sanguisorha sitchensis (flowering freely) . . .Abundant. 



Cornus suecica (thrifty) Rarely survived. 



Vitis-idcea vitis-idcea (thrifty) .Rarely survived. 



Most of these plants were found on Soluka Creek in the 

 upland bog from which the ash was cleared away, as mentioned 

 above. The reason for the survival of these plants here, 

 when they were practically exterminated around Kodiak, 

 clearly lies not in any peculiarity of the species themselves, 

 but in the accident of a favorable situation. 



