Macfarlane—The Beach Plum. 217 
where accordingly they are all exposed to apparently like 
environmental conditions, the case becomes one of exceptional 
interest and perplexing explanation. Such a case is that now 
before us. 
The Beach Plum (Prunus maritima) is abundant along the 
coast regions of the Eastern States from Virginia to New 
Brunswick. During the past eight years the writer has 
studied it at Cape May Point, Ocean View, Island Heights, 
Martha’s Vineyard and near Falmouth, Mass. In these 
localities it may cover areas from ten to two hundred acres in 
extent, often to the exclusion of other plants. Considerable 
information has also been obtained for me by Mr. H. S. 
Conard and Mr. George Wilson, from Wildwood, Cape Cod 
and Plymouth, at all of which places it is abundant. It is 
usually met with, and seems most prolific, in expanses of soft 
often drifting sand in sight of the sea, or even along the shore, 
where it may at times be washed by ocean water. Downing 
says’ it is “found mostly on the sandy seashore, from Massa- 
chusetts to Virginia, and seldom ripening well elsewhere.” 
In New Jersey it may be got sparingly at considerable 
distances from the sea. Between Manumuskin and Maurice 
River, about eight miles from sea water, Mr. Le Boutillier has 
drawn my attention to a number of bushes, some of them old 
and of large size. At May’s Landing, about fifteen miles 
from the sea, it is not uncommon, and flowers profusely. 
East of Atco, N. J., about forty-two miles from the sea, are 
a few apparently wild bushes that look healthy, and are said 
to fruit well. In all of the above localities the soil is a light 
loose sand, that makes walking heavy and tiresome. 
How the plants reached the two or three last-named 
localities it is impossible to say. Possibly they represent plant 
islands left as the ocean has retreated. Possibly the fruit 
stones were scattered by Indians, who may have brought the 
1 Encyclopedia, Vol. II, p. 889. 
