6i4 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



only prominent group — with the plants there are several 

 groups well distributed and very prominent. On the other 

 hand, several large groups are nearly or completely absent. 



It is hard to say at times which is the dominant type of 

 plant in Spitsbergen. To begin with, tree-like forms are 

 entirely absent, shrubs practically so. The tallest herb is 

 nowhere more than eighteen inches in height ! There is, 

 therefore, a great uniformity in the vegetation. The same 

 dreary monotony of low herbage greets the eye everywhere ; 

 it is only beautified by the wonderful display of flowers. In 

 spite of their small size, the plants seem covered with blossoms — 

 and what marvellous blossoms ! The beautiful reds and 

 purples of the purple saxifrage ; the delicate yellow of the 

 mountain avens and the poppies ; the pink sheets of the moss 

 campion ; the glorious yellow of the marsh saxifrage. From 

 this point of view it may well be argued that the flowering 

 plants, as elsewhere, are the dominant type. Yet there are 

 extensive areas, covered with moss and lichen, in which the 

 higher plants hold a very subordinate position. In these areas 

 the lack of flowers is compensated for by the varied shades of 

 green, yellow, orange, and brown, alternating with one another 

 in a manner resembling patchwork. It is a wonderful sight 

 on a sunny day, many of the lichens especially being quite 

 showy. I well remember a large, erratic boulder — lo feet in 

 height, at least — one blaze of gorgeous orange or flame-colour 

 due to a crustaceous lichen. 



The vegetation may be classed as ice-desert or tundra. 

 Much of Spitsbergen, owing to the configuration, presents the 

 features of Alpine vegetation rather than that of tundra. The 

 two are, however, very closely allied. There are one or two 

 areas which are characteristic tundra — flat and swampy, pools 

 dotted about at intervals, and everywhere under foot a quaking 

 bog. 



The flora, as might be supposed, is not very rich in species. 

 Of flowering plants about 150 species have been described, 

 while additions are made at intervals. There are also several 

 hundred species of mosses and lichens, one or two ferns, and 

 a horsetail or so. Freshwater Algae are fairly frequent in the 

 streams and pools ; marine Algae less so, although on suitable 

 rocky coasts Laminarias and allied species make a good show. 

 Of the extensive group of the Gymnosperms (pines, cycads, 

 etc.) there is not a single representative. 



Among the flowering plants the relative proportions of the 

 various orders are very different from those in this country. 

 The Compositae (daisy family) numerically greatest in Great 

 Britain, as in the world generally, is represented only by three 

 or four species, none of which is common. The Leguminosae 



