929 



on the Færoes may be summarised thus: Carex salina, C. Lynghijei 

 (rather rare), Ghjceria maritima and sonietimes G. distans, Plantago 

 maritima, Agrostis stolonifera, Leontodon aiitiimnale, var. Taraxaci 

 and a few olhers. The species inckided here are only those which 

 have a more or less maritime distribution. 



The two Carices belong to the group Microrrhijnchae Drejer, 

 which includes the majority of the northern Heterostachyae di- 

 stigmaticae. Both are tall, vigorous piants with strong, horizontal 

 rhizomes, which are well adapted to make their way through the 

 compact soil. The leaves are broad and long, especially in C. 

 Lyngbyei, which has papillæ and stomata on the lower surface 

 only, whereas C. salina has them on both sides (C. Raunkiær 1895- 

 99, p. 513). In contrast to these Glyceria maritima and Agrostis 

 stolonifera have long aérial surface runners, while Leontodon Tara- 

 xaci, Plantago maritima, Armeria and Glyceria distans are »spot- 

 bound« piants. The leaves are more or less succulent, except in 

 the grasses. 



Plantago-maritima association^. This is an association 

 closely allied to the salt-marsh, yet distinct enough to merit special 

 notice. On several istands, particularly Sydero, there are low narrow 

 necks of land which are swept from one side to the other by winds 

 from the sea. These low stretches form a connecting link between 

 higher and broader parts of the istands, and are distinguished on 

 the Færoes as »Ejder«. The configuration of Sydero lends itself to 

 the development of Ejder; the western side is almost inlact, but 

 the coast-line of the eastern side is broken by several fjords and 

 bays, frequently cut back almost to the western side. On these 

 narrow necks the Ejder occur sloping gradually upwards from the 

 head of the fjord, and descending abruptly to the sea on the western 

 side by steep, almost perpendicular slopes varying from 25 to 100 

 metres in height. 



The vegetation of these Ejder is very distinct in character. On 

 the landward side of the sand-strand or salt-marsh at the head of 



^ R. Lloyd Praeger (1903, 1904) describes this association on Clare Island 

 and Achlll Island off the west coast of Ireland: »The best marked association of 

 halophile tendencies was that which formed the e.xceedingly short springy turf 

 along the top of the low clifTs, and of which Plantago maritima and P. coronopiis 

 were the dominating piants« (1903, p. 281); then follows a list of species constitut- 

 ing tlie association. 



A description bj^ P. Feilberg (1900, p. 42) indicates the presence of the 

 same association on Shetland at Sumburg Head. 



