20 ipostelsia 



cases the distance from the waters edge to the 

 forest is generally considerable and the gently 

 sloping beaches are mostly bare in front but 

 loaded with driftwood towards the back. If 

 the inlet is sheltered from the wind, the sand 

 beach is of less width, and driftwood is either 

 absent or found only in small quantities. Other 

 inlets are narrow and are simply openings of 

 small ravines or gullies. These are drainage 

 courses and frequently small streams find their 

 way through them to the sea. From the fact 

 that these streams drain from the humus-laden 

 forest soil, a greater complexity of plant life is 

 met with upon the sand beaches at the mouth of 

 these ravines than upon other kinds referred to 

 above. The humus contents of the soil is much 

 greater than that of the larger, more open 

 beaches, backed by no extensive natural drainage 

 course. It is quite evident that conditions 

 arising landward exert themselves more strongly 

 here because they are concentrated as it were, 

 into a smaller space. The result is the establish- 

 ment of a grou]j of plants numerous both as to 

 individuals and species and among which the 

 competition is sharp. 



