Vegetation of Nortlicni Cape Breton. 



407 



(Krumnilioh) predominate and form a relativelv closed stand. 

 (■?) The lichens which characterize the heath (together with the 

 hummocks which they form) are either absent or else poorly 

 developed, while ericaceous shrubs occur here mainly as an 

 understor}^ and are of subordinate importance to arborescent 

 species. (5) The undergrowth approximates that of the climax 

 coniferous forests of the region, essentially the same list of 

 bryophytes, herbaceous vascular plants, and shrubs being 

 characteristic of each. {4) The ecological aspect is much more 



Figure 55. — Low Krummholz association-type with scattered tamaracks, 

 many of them dead, projecting up above general level of surrounding 

 vegetation; barrens in mountains west of Ingonish. 



mesophytic. In typical Krummhols (Figs. 54, 55) the trees 

 range around three and four feet in height and commonly pro- 

 duce a dense tangle through which it is exceedingly difficult to 

 force one's way. It is a type of association characteristic of 

 situations in the open barrens which are somewhat sheltered from 

 wind. In the opinion of Dr. Harvey, who accompanied the 

 writer in 1916, the Krummholz of the barrens in northern Cape 

 Breton is a close ecological counterpart of the Krummholz on 

 Mount Ktaadn, concerning which he has written ('03, p. 34) : 

 "It seems then that the Krummholz forest is almost as mesophytic 

 as the Pic ea- Abies combination .... which very evidently is 



