273 



accompanied by the rain forest, but this generally loses some ot 



the elements most characteristic of the coastal districts, and 



then forms a transition between the evergreen rain- and 



deciduous summer-forest. In North and Central Patagonia (41° 



to 44° S.) a forest of Libocedrus chile litis is interposed between 



the rain- and summer-forest. In other parts of the transition 



area Nothofagus betuloides occurs as a tree, reaching considerable 

 dimensions. 



The Andine forest girdle below the Libocedrus forest, that is 



from 44° to 55°, is especially characterised by Nothofagus 



Pumilio. Evergreen shrubs forming much of the undergrowth 



if 



licif 



virgata, Maytenux 



disticha, and Pernettya mucronata. Lianes are rare. Phanero- 

 gamic epiphytes are wanting, but parasitic species of Myzoden- 

 dron are nearly always present. The herbaceous flora is richer 



than that of the rain-forest. Nothofagus antarctica occurs in all 

 kinds of localities. 



The whole of the Pampas area to the east of the Andes is 

 covered with sand and gravel of Tertiary strata, and is a district 

 poor in rainfall. There is a distinct periodicity of the vegetation, 

 due to the marked winter-rest period. The dominating plant 

 formation is the steppe. Nearly all the steppe plants are strongly 



•o phytic, and all kinds of devices for the reduction of tran- 

 spiration are to be found. There are no trees, but shrubs are 

 represented by Embothrium lanceolatum, Berber-is spp., 

 Escallonia spp., Adesmia spp., Anarthrophyllum rigidum, 



Schinus dependens, Discaria spp., Verbena spp v and Lyciuwi 

 pulverulentum. The floral richness of the steppes is striking- 

 Flowers noteworthy for individual richness of colour are rare, but 

 innumerable small flowers take their place. Amongst the most 

 beautiful niay be mentioned species of Chloraea, Senecio, 

 Mutisioideae, Embothrium, Verbena, Tristagma and Opuntia. 

 Cushion plants are abundant, and Skottsberg records 92 species 

 belonging to 40 genera, placed in 24 families. 



The following associations are to be met with: The Mulinuni 

 smnosUm steppe, the grass steppe (Festiica-Mulinum association), 

 the shrub steppe (especially found on the eastern shores of the 

 great Andine lakes), and the vegetation of the desert-like ground. 

 Great tablelands (Mesetas) are raised above the pampas, and 

 here Alpine heaths and meadows are found, including dwarf 

 shrubs, rosette-plants, cushion plants and grass clumps. Many 

 of the Alpine plants are noteworthy for their beautiful flowers 

 with clear colours. Thus species of Nassauvia have white and 

 lilac flowers, Calandrinia rupestris has orange, Calceolaria 

 uniflora carmine, yellow and white, Leuceria Hoffmannii carmine, 

 L. 'leontopodioides rose, Perezia pilifera blue, Viola auricolor 

 golden-yellow, and the cushions of Saccardophytum and Ben- 

 hamieila are covered with small yellow or white flowers. 

 It has been seen that the flora of the rainy coastal area of West 

 Patagonia and Fuegia can be divided into two distinct districts — 

 the Valdivian and the Magellanic. To the first belongs the greater 

 part of the old Chilean floral element, which has its affinities m 



C 



