152 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess. Lxxv. 
Agrostis. The only other grass that dominates over any 
considerable area is Nardus stricta. It affects the more 
peaty soils, not, however, extremely wet. Holeus lanatus 
may sometimes dominate, but its dominance does not seem 
to be of sufficiently definite occurrence to merit rank as an 
association, nor in growth form is it so divergent from the 
Agrostis type as Nardus. 
We may thus recognise two broad associations, apart 
from the tussock forms: one, characterised by Agrostis, in 
which helophytic characters are the most distinct feature, 
not properly belonging to meadow ; the other, characterised. 
by Nardus, in which oxylophytic characters take a similar 
place. 
Since both grasses may dominate in other situations than 
marsh-meadow, the associations here found have their 
distinguishing character indicated by introducing the word 
“Carex” into the name. 
1. Agrostis-Carex association. 
la. C. panicea variety. 
2. Nardus-Carex association. 
2a. C. panicea variety. 
3. Aira cespitosa association. 
4. Juncus conglomeratus association. 
5. Iris association. 
1. Agrostis-Carex association.—The dominant grass is 
one or other species of Agrostis. Agrostis alba is more 
characteristic of the wet soil of this formation than A. 
vulgaris, but the latter also occurs. (The two species 
appear to grade into one another. I cannot always dis- 
tinguish them.) A. alba, var. stolonifera, is very often 
dominant. 
Sedges are usually sub-dominant. In soft wet soil the 
species is usually Carex vulgaris; on firm soil, clayey or 
peaty, it is characteristically Carex panicea, accompanied 
by C. glauca. The first type is allied to “rich marsh” and 
passes into it, the second to “ poor marsh.” 
These glaucous sedges may occur also in the more 
luxuriant type of marsh-meadow, but there are other 
distinguishing features in the vegetation as well which 
mark out the Agrostis-Carex panicea association as @ 
