Development of the Vegetation of New York State 147 
vacillans, in broken or pure stands, blue honeysuckle (Lont- 
cera coerulea L.) in compact clusters scattered over the 
plain, Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Britton, and Spiraea 
latifolia (Ait.) Borgh., both very abundant. 
The large shrubs comprise Viburnum cassinoides L.., 
Aronia arbutifolia. (1.) Ell, and choke cherry (called 
Prunus Virginiana in Gray’s Manual, seventh edition). 
As further emphasizing the hydrophytic aspects of the 
vegetation, should be noted the abundant occurrence of 
creeping blackberry, Rubus hispidus L. (possibly rightly 
ealled Rubus nigricans Rydb.). On the other hand, the 
heath-barren aspect is most strikingly emphasized by the 
great abundance and sometimes (notably in the late fall) 
dominance of Polytrichwm and lichens (Cladonia rangifer- 
ina, alpestris and pyxidata). See Fig. 29. 
This association of swamp and bog species with typical 
members of sand barren vegetation, together with the sur- 
prising invasion of vigorous tamarack and some black spruce 
presents, in a conveniently small area, an inviting subject for 
more detailed investigation. 
(3) The Plattsburg Sand Barrens. 
This area is evidently a sand delta formed where the 
Saranac River discharged its load of Adirondack sands into 
Lake Champlain at a time when the lake level was notably 
higher than at present. The plain is, in general, flat but 
still with gentle swells and lower wet lands, the latter hav- 
ing the usual deposits of black organic soil (muck). Some 
of the land is under cultivation. Practically all the rest is 
subject to pasturage so that we really have a secondary veg- 
etation trying to establish a plant covering against constant 
interruption, one item of which is the periodic cutting off of 
pitch pine. It is stated on good authority that this plain 
was occupied by white pine forest originally. Mention is 
made by Pringle in his report of 1885 on the forests of New 
York * of white pine shipments made from this vicinity via. 
the St. Lawrence River to Europe. 
1 Pringle, C. G. Report upon the Forests of Northern New York. 
