Vegetation of Northern Cape Breton. 



457 



ment, since on the whole the vegetation is essentially similar to 

 what has already been described as characteristic of ravines in the 

 lowland. Of special interest, however, are the association- 

 complexes of flood plains. 



Attention has elsewhere been called to the fact that on the 

 plateau most of the streams for long distances flow through 

 broad, shallow valleys, but little below the general level of the 

 surrounding country. The floors of these valleys are nearly flat 

 and gently inclined. The surface is only a couple of feet higher 



Figure 70. — Shallow, flat-floored stream valley with characteristic 

 vegetation; barrens in mountains west of Ingonish. 



than the water in the stream in summer, and at times of high 

 water it is subject to overflow. At such times a small amount 

 of sediment is deposited, and this, together with the inundation 

 itself, apparently has a decisive effect on the character of the 

 vegetation. It therefore seems appropriate to regard such areas 

 as flood plains, although they differ in a great many respects 

 from ordinary flood plains. The mineral substratum is com- 

 monly overlain by a layer of peat one or more feet in thickness, 

 which is rendered distinctly gritty by the fine sediment which 



Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. XXII 



25 



1918 



