16 



BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF 



''One ^ of the most marked characteristics of tlie island 

 flora is its not only strongly northern, bnt arctic character. 

 On its coast, enveloped in cold fogs and washed by waters 

 chilled by the arctic cnrrents, it is no wonder that arctic 

 plants like Montia foniana and Stellana humifusa should find 

 a congenial home. Moreover this character of the flora is 

 shown by the fact that with one exception, Lycopodium selago, 

 the mountain plants descend to the sea level. Neither on the 

 one hand is the altitude of the mountain summits sufficient to 



develop an alpine flora nor on the other hand is the warmth 

 and general character of the lowlands sufficient to bring many 

 of the plants of the middle temperate region thus far up the 

 coast of Maine. The flora then may be said to be essentially 

 Canadian, having close relations with the very similar flora 

 of New Brunswick. It also shows, apart from its maritime 

 character, many points of resemblance to the general flora of 

 the White Mountain region. It is in its special problems how- 

 ever, that plant distribution becomes of great interest at 

 Mount Desert." 



*"A preliminary catalogue of the plants growing on Mount Desert," by 

 Edward L. Rand and John H. Eedfield, p. 20. Cambridge, 1894. 



