THE CONTINKNTAL FLORA OF SOUTH SWEDEN 323 



of the generally sporadic localities the species have here at their disposal. Their 

 suitable localities are usually to be found in the north-eastern part of the pro- 

 vince. The occurrences of a majority of species reach their definite or occasional 

 western limits in South Sweden in this district. The limit, broadly speaking, 

 then runs from central X'astergotland in a more or less straight south-easterly 

 direction down towards the coast district on the Straits of Kalmar. Concerning 

 some species the limit then bends towards the west and passes through Blekinge 

 (where, however, many species are missing and others are very scarce) and Skane 

 and then, concerning a few species, assumes a northerly direction and embraces 

 the plain of southern Halland. Hence the boundary forms a curve round the 

 South Swedish highland, more or less open towards the west. [For instance 

 Trifolium montanum (p. 301), Phleum Boehmeri (Plate 5), Polygala comosa 

 (p. 316), and Crepis praemorsa (p. 315)]. 



The position of the distribution boundary in Smaland can be put into connec- 

 tion with the topograpliy, viz. the oses and the broken country. A number of 

 species have their sole occurrences in Smaland on southerly exposed os slopes 

 or hillsides in the eastern part of the country of Jonkoping, especially in Ostra 

 harad (see above p. 307). There is, however, another factor, the influence of 

 which appears not so conspicuous in the distribution of the species here treated 

 in their more specialized mode of occurrence, but which is, none the less, very 

 important, viz. the precipitation conditions. 



The account of these conditions given above (p. 259) shows them to vary 

 greatly in different parts of the district. There is a very decided contrast be- 

 tween the eastern (especially the north-eastern) parts and the western parts. 

 Considering the intimate relation between the nature of the soil and the quantity 

 of precipitation, we must allot to this relation a very great importance with re- 

 gard to the nature of the vegetation in a district like Smaland, where the 

 weathering soil material is to a great extent poor in electrolytes. 



Add to this the fact that in large parts the country is level. The Archaean 

 rock-plateau of Smaland comprises the greater, south-western part of the province. 

 (See the map on p. 343.) In this part the drainage is weak, and lakes and 

 moor lands occupy considerable areas. 



An excellent example of the connection between the precipitation conditions 

 and the configuration of the country on one side, and the nature of the vege- 

 tation on the other is formed by the contrast between Ostra harad in the county 

 of Jonkoping and Uppvidinge harad to the south of it. The broken Archaean 

 rock country of Ostra harad, where there is a comparatively scanty precipitation, 

 with its smiling scenery and its flora, rich in southerly and continental spe- 

 cies — the level moraine plateau of the Vidinge wastes, where precipitation is 

 more plenteous, filled with meagre coniferous forests and large moor lands with 



