74 



PLANT SOCIOLOGY 



unfortunately are too often based more on an inner feeling than upon 

 exact investigation. An assurance is also gained that the ecological 

 investigations really refer to a definite floristically circumscribed 

 community. In the preparation of the tables many a relationship 

 becomes clear; and only on the basis of adequate tabular material can 

 conclusions be drawn concerning the relationships of the social units. 

 For ecological characterization we consider also the record of the 

 boundary of the single stand. ^ 



Fig. 41. — A climax epiphytic community on the trunk of Quercus mirheckii at Diebel 

 Bir, Tunis; consisting of mosses, Polypodium vulgare. Umbilicus pendulinus. Stdlaria 

 apetcda, and Cardamine hirsuta. (Photo by Hueck.) 



In all cases where an examination of a small sample plot is included 

 with the floristic record of the stand, this should be mentioned specially ; 

 in the table the species found only in the larger area are placed in 

 parentheses. The size of both areas should be given. From the same 

 column one may read both the record of the definite small plot (which 

 need not be square) and the entire record of the homogeneous stand. 

 The graphic representation of the foregoing specimen table of the 

 Elynetum (Table 4) is given in Fig. 168. 



1 In the text of a report there should also be noted the course of the boundary 

 (distinct, indistinct, rectilinear, wavy) and the arrangennent of the individual 

 stands (whether zonal, mosaic, in broad plains, etc.). 



