228 The Botanical Gazette. [August, 



Me 



F. LAMSON-SCRIBNER. 



[The writer desires to have the facts embodied in the following paper, pre- 

 pared in 1872 and hitherto unpublished, placed on record for the use of those 

 who may hereafter compile the flora of Maine. ] 



An account of the flora of any region is valuable as indi- 

 cating the local distribution of plants — a matter of much 

 interest to the botanist and agriculturist. The geographical 

 range of species is thus established. A knowledge of the 

 plants of a locality enables one to form a very correct opinion 

 of its climate and the nature and condition of the soil. On 

 the other hand, the climate and physical features of a locality 

 form an index to the variety and nature of the plants which 

 may there be found. The extreme northeastern position of 

 this locality renders it of more than ordinary interest. 



The physical characters of this region are such as to afford 

 a large number of species, and J very much regret that the 

 list here presented is a so meager. It 'is to be hoped that the 

 work thus begun will be rapidly advanced by the students of 

 the College, in order that we may soon possess a complete 

 list of the Phanerogams and Vascular Cryptogams of this 



entire region. The Mosses and Lichens have not yet been 



worked up. Of these lower, yet vastly interesting families 

 this section certainly presents a rich field. Future researches 

 wdl not only add much to our knowledge of those species 

 already observed, but largely increase the list now made. 



Almost every variety and condition of soil found in our 

 latitude— except that of the seashore and high mountains— is 

 to be met with here. The Stillwater branch of the Penob- 

 scot river flows close by the College front, and a mile in the 

 opposite direction flow the rapid waters of the main river. 

 Species delighting in sandy and rockv river banks find along 

 these waters congenial homes. There are extensive meadows 

 and upland glades ; numerous streams of varied character ; 

 deep sphagnous and grassy swamps of larch, spruce and 

 cedar I here are high rocky deciduous woods; steep 

 gravelly hills and sandy fields ; several ponds or lakes with 

 both sandy and muddy shores, and an almost unlimited 

 extent ot mossy bog-land. 



With all these varied conditions one may reasonably 



tion C o Tl 1 . eX f tenS,Ve a " d interesting flora. Only a small por- 

 tion of this territory has been thoroughly examined, and no 



