peaks, we shall, in the first part of our journey, notice but 

 few differences in the vegetation from that to which we 

 are accustomed. The wild flowers of France and Germany 

 are very like those of the South of England and, except that 

 perhaps the yellow Fuller's Thistle {Circiwn oloraceuni) may 

 be seen in damp places near the railway, very little of 

 botanical interest will be observed until the customs are 

 passed and Switzerland itself is reached. Even here the 

 traveller may be for a time a little disappointed. The first 

 unfamiliar plant to be noticed will very likely be the Red- 

 berried Elder {Sambucus racemosd). A little later, in some 

 shady wood, the tall feathery Spiraea {Spiraa Aruncus), or 

 the beautiful little May-Lily {Maianthemum bifoliuni)^ may 

 be seen. Or a glimpse of the white-flowered Rampion 

 (Phyteuma spicatuni) or the Alpine Honeysuckle {Lonicera 

 alpigena)^ with its twin red berries, may be had in passing. 

 But not until the mountains themselves are reached will the 

 tourist discover that he has entered into an entirely new plant 

 world. 



The main factor which determines the character of the 

 flora of any given region in the Alps is its altitude. But we 

 must not forget that there are other things to be considered 

 beside the absolute height above the sea level, and the local 

 conditions of exposure to the sun and protection from the 

 cold winds are quite important factors. Generally speaking, 

 it may be said that the climate is a good deal milder on the 

 southern slopes of the Alps than in the north. Olives can 



