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The Ohio Journal of Science [Vol. XIX, No. 4, 



borne wash of ash, pumice, and black sand. The latter comes 

 •from the glaciation of the volcanic slopes of Martin and Mageik, 

 and with the great flood of 1915 became mixed in all proportions 

 with the ash and pumice of the upper Katmai, and spread along 

 the western side of the river valley. Towards the river the black 

 sand content gradually diminishes until the soil becomes 

 a pure mixture of ash and pumice. The loose texture of this 

 river deposited material was in striking contrast to the finely 

 divided, compact ash of the lower stretches, and offered a soil 

 where physical conditions appeared ideal for the growth of 

 seedling plants. Nevertheless the only plant taking advantage 



Photograph by R. F. Griggs 

 A LUPINE GROWING ON THE ASH FLAT. 



Although the soil is almost devoid of nitrogenous compounds as shown by the 

 analysis, the lupines thrive and produce seed in abundance. 



of these conditions was a legume, Lupinus nootkatensis. These 

 plants were quite numerous and apparently were normal 

 and healthy, having produced an abundance of ripened seed 

 by the middle of August. Those growing farthest out on the 

 ash were somewhat stunted in growth, but this was not to be 

 wondered at considering that they had to withstand the buffet- 

 ings of many, a fierce sandstorm in which their lower leaves 

 were cut to pieces by the sharp wind-driven volcanic ash. All 

 of the lupines examined had an abundance of nodules on their 

 roots. These must have been the source of their nitrogen for 



