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Nichols: The vegetation of Connecticut 



ever, no definite statement can yet be made, although it seems 

 more than likely that the observed conditions may result from a 

 combination of several causes. Whatever the direct cause or 

 causes, the prevailing consensus of opinion among ecologists seems 

 to be that their ultimate effect on the plants concernccl is such as 



either to directly hinder absorption, or else to indirectly reduce it 

 by retarding root development. 



The Origin of the Northern Flora in Bogs. — While soil conditions 

 satisfactorily account for the phenomenon of bog xerophytism, 

 it is doubtful whether the remarkable assemblage of northern 

 plants found in bogs is to be explained on this basis alone. In 

 considering this problem some years ago, Transeau* arrived at the 

 conclusion that the explanation must be sought in the physio- 

 graphic history of the areas concerned. According to his con- 



