388 George E. Nichols, 



Further investigations, however, have indicated beyond question 

 that this remarkable formation-complex, in northern Cape 

 Breton, is the result of edaphic rather than climatic factors. The 

 climax association-type of uplands in the barrens bears much the 

 same relation to the coniferous forest climax of the highlands 

 that the climax association-type of exposed headlands along the 

 seacoast bears to the deciduous forest climax of the lowland. 

 The relation between the edaphic formation-complex here and 



Figure 48. — Barrens in mountains north of Barrasois River (Scotch- 

 man's Barren); vegetation closely approximating heath; tamaracks in 

 left foreground and mid-distance. 



that of the highlands as a whole is somewhat analogous to the 

 relation between the edaphic formation-complex of the New 

 Jersey pine barrens and that of the whole state of New Jersey. 

 The character of the vegetation in the barrens is attributable 

 very largely, directly or indirectly, to conditions of exposure, 

 topography, and soil. Along the streams the climax forests of 

 the forested area extend into the heart of the barrens, while, 

 conversely, in high, exposed situations the vegetation of the 

 barrens reaches well toward the coast. 



Forest resources of the region. — In summing up the results 

 of a timber survey of this region, made a number of years ago, 



