984 



Sedum rhodiola, Angelica silvcstris, Hypericum pulchruni, Phintago lan- 

 ceolata, Festiica rubra, F. ovina vivipara. Thymus. Eiiipetriim, Taraxa- 

 cuni sp., Poly])odiiini viilgare, Aspidium filix mas, Alhyrium fdix focmina, 

 Ranunculiis acer, Alchimilla al])iiia, Potcntilla crocta, Geranium silvati- 

 cum, Ccrastium vulgare, Blcchnum, Polygala serpyllacea, Draba incana, 

 Veronica officinalis, Rumex acelosa, Aira flexuosa and Rubus saxatilis 

 were noted ; altogether 29 phanerogams and 4 ferns. The mosses were 

 comparatively of little consequence. 



A closer examination of the species enumerated in these long 

 lists from Gjov (ravine), Ur (talus) and Hammer (ledge) will re- 

 veal, that only a comparatively small proportion can be cailed 

 chomophytes (see p. 971). The appearance of so many species 

 which properly belong to other plant-associations, may be accounted 

 for by conditions so varied and yet in many ways so favour- 

 able to plant-life. It is naturally anything but easy to decide what 

 is and what is not to be reckoned as a chomophyte, but by utilis- 

 ing what one has learned regarding the distribution and habitat of 

 the various species on the Færoes, it is possible to make a selec- 

 tion which on the w^hole will be in accord with the true natural 

 conditions. 



The chomophytes of the Færoes, that is those piants which 

 have their home in crevices or on terraces as distinct from the 

 cliff-face, may be grouped into three divisions or plant-formations. 

 The piants may appear in other formations also, but as a rule their 

 best development is attained on the cliffs. In the case of the first 

 division, many of the species may equally w^ell be regardcd as 

 characteristic of the rocky-flats. These three formations are: 



(1^) the formation of the dry and light rock-crevices and ter- 

 races, — chomophytes in the stricter sense; (2*^) the formation of 

 the moist and shady crevices; (8^) the formation of the luxuriant 

 warm and sunny ledges. 



(1°) The formation of the dry and light rock-crevices 

 and terraces, the typical chomophyte formation, is 

 widely dislributed on the Færoes, occurring in every place where 

 the solid clilT-wall comes in sight. Ils general appearance is shown 

 very well in Fig. 188, the light lichen-crusted rock contrasting 

 strongly with the deep green of the chomophytes which fill the 

 crannies and nooks, and cover the narrow terraces. 



