Reconquest of the Water 



Rowing across such a lake near the shore, one notices 

 a border of tall reeds or bulrushes ; behind this, on the 

 landward side, marsh plants are generally to be found, 

 and often in profusion. Above the reeds and behind 

 the marsh plants one may see the foliage of willows, 

 alders, and birches which occupy the border of the 

 land, which is, in their territory, more or less wet and 

 possibly sometimes submerged. 



Rush Zone of 



Zone Marsh Plants 



Zone of Potk- 



mogetons, Milfoil with 



floating plants, Lemna, etc. 



Diagram to show Land-forniiation by Pond Plants 



On the water side of the reeds there is very often a 

 zone of yellow and white water-lilies. 



In much deeper water such plants as pondweed, 

 milfoil, and a few others are still able to flourish, and 

 their reddish-brown spikes may be seen standing out of 

 the water at the right season. 



But a small diagram is necessary to show how they 

 work together in the process of filling up the lake. The 

 important member of the series is what may be called 

 the '< reed association." 



It may consist of bulrushes or of Scirpus lacustris 



130 



