14 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
there are numerous small marshes in all stages of development from 
the earliest sedimentation or ingrowth of vegetation to the formation 
of meadow lands bearing sweet grasses; while in the immediate neigh- 
bourhood there are numerous bogs in all stages of formation. Under 
such circumstances it is possible to study the formation of salt marshes 
under the most favourable of all conditions, and to correlate their 
history with that of bogs. 
it may be profitable at the outset, to define the features which 
distinguish a typical marsh. The dominant characteristic of all such 
areas, is to be found in the vegetation they support. This consists 
primarily and chiefly of the common salt marsh grass (Spartina stricta) 
which is cut and cured as hay, and made extensive use of for salting 
cattle. With this very coarse species there is also associated the finer 
species (S. juncea) which, in some cases, seems to occupy a place of 
equal importance with the former, though this appears to depend upon 
questions of drainage, i.e., slight differences of level whereby S. juncea 
occupies the more favoured localities. In the cases examined this 
appears evident from the distribution of S. stricta along the water 
courses in particular, from which it extends backward over the areas 
which are subject to the most frequent and most extended flooding; 
while S. juncea is more remote from the water courses and extends 
upward on the slightly sloping areas immediately abutting upon the 
shore line. Mingled with these grasses there are scattering representa- 
tives of various dicotyledonous plants such as the sea lavender (Static? 
limonium var. caroliniana), golden-rod (Solidago sempervirens), sam- 
phire (Salicornia herbacea) and others. 
A second feature of importance is to be found in the fact that 
fresh water streams of various dimensions make into the marsh lands 
from the more elevated interior regions at their heads, and find their 
way out to sea through narrow, tortuous and sometimes rather deep 
channels. The result of this is that at low tide, these channels are 
practically occupied by fresh water for the greater extent of their 
course, but the volume of such water is so small, and it remains for 
so short a time before being replaced by the more voluminous sea water, 
that it exerts no influence upon the vegetation of the adjacent areas. 
This may be further explained by the fact that the fresh water does not 
rise above a low level and it never floods the banks; while at every high 
tide the salt water not only floods the channels and drives or holds 
back the fresh water, but it overflows the entire area and easily exerts 
a dominant influence. 
That all of these lands are capable of being reclaimed is quite 
obvious, and in consequence of their possessing elements of great 
