963 



Higher up we meet the grass-slope formation on both north and 

 south exposures. As a rule the grass-slopes are much destroyed 

 by the sheep, which find there a choice fodder. The surface is 

 consequently traversed by numerous sheep-tracks which run in pa- 

 rallel lines nearly at right angles to the slope, and at a distance 

 give the hill-side a rippled appearance^ Few plant- formations on 

 the Færoes have suffered so much from the numerous sheep as the 

 grass slope, and the investigation of the vegetation is extremely 

 difficult in consequence of the close grazing. The natural environ- 

 ment of the slope (and also the luxuriant »Hammer«) offer especi- 

 ally good conditions for the growth of piants, and before the Islands 

 were inhabited, one would in all probability have found there the 

 majority of the less hardy species of the Færoese flora; under pre- 

 sent conditions the species, which have not been eradicated, have 

 taken refuge on the more favourably situated ledges (Hamres) where 

 the sheep cannot approach (see p. 974). 



Besides the typical grass-slope with a sloping substratum, one 

 finds liere and there a grass-vegetation similar in character, but on 

 a flat surface. The conditions for the occurrence of such a pasture 

 (»Græseng«) are, that the soil is moderately moist and yet so well 

 drained that in spite of its flatness, there is no excess of humus, 

 and water does not stagnate. The rugged topography of the Færoes 

 rather operates against the frequent occurrence of these conditions, 

 hence the area of flat well-drained grass-pasture is generally limited 

 to the margins of rivers and lakes; some examples of this pasture 

 are included in those given below\ 



Grass-slopes may be found on all the islands, but not always 

 to the same extent. Thus they are few and small in the northern 

 parts of Vaago, Stromo, Ostero and on the northern islands (Nordreoer) 

 which are very steep, the climate also being more rigorous. On 

 Sydero, the grass-slope occurs to such an extent, that this island, 

 when seen from the ocean, appears much greener than the other 

 islands. 



Tlie following examples taken froin my notes will illustrate tlie 

 composition of ttie grass-slopes : 



1. Punthavn on the southern side of the Trangis vaag fjord, 

 Sydero. Slightly undulating expanse with the higher ridges occupied 

 by the following grass-association : Carex binervis, Anthoxanthiim and 



^ This appearance due to the sheep-tracks may be what Jonsson (1. c. p. 36) 

 refers to as wrinkles (»Rynker«). 



Botany of the Færoes. g2 



