Current Literature. 6i 



characterized by the Sessile Oak association in which Betula 

 tomentosa is the most common associate. The Ashwood asso- 

 ciation is characteristic of the calcareous soils of north and west 

 England. It merges off into the limestone scrub from which in 

 turn every transition may be traced to limestone grassland. The 

 later chalk uplands, the "downs" of the south and the "wolds" of 

 the north, support the same associations as the older limestones 

 indicated above, but they have in addition the pure Beech asso- 

 ciation on the steep slopes of the escarpments and valleys. The 

 soil is very thin and the roots of the trees are largely embedded 

 in the chalk itself. The summits of the downs when free from 

 superficial deposits are chiefly covered with pasture. The Yew 

 is apparently confined to the chalk. 



The discussion of the moors of various kinds occupies about 

 eighty pages. 



This first attempt at a scientific description of the British vege- 

 tation is very successful since the authors give one a remarkably 

 clear survey of the vegetation of the British Isles, and of England 

 in particular. The book is in the manual form and may be easily 

 carried in the pocket. The text is illustrated by numerous excel- 

 lent photographic reproductions and by charts and maps. 



C. D. H. 



The Forests of Northern Russia. By M. T. Katschenko, Im- 

 perial Russian Forest Supervisor. St. Petersburg. 191 1. Pp. 

 104. 



This interesting work is the result of a reconnaissance in the 

 primeval woods of the Archangel District of Northern Russia. 

 The stands are described as either pure Scotch Pine or mixed 

 pine, spruce, larch and birch in various percentages. The follow- 

 ing sample acres show clearly the character of the stands. 



