Regarding the Flora of the Alpes Maritimes. 385 



6500 feet, snow was in such abiindance as to prevent any 

 examination of the flora. "We left the valley at the same 

 point from which we had set off previously. An almost 

 entirely different flora was to be observed. As might 

 be expected, Vaccinium Myrtillus, Riibus Idccus, Paris 

 quadrifolia, Soldanclla, Tussilago, and great masses of 

 Saxifraga cuneifolia, were abundant. Higher than these, 

 Rhododendron ferrugincum monopolised all the shadier places. 

 Most interesting of all were some acres of Fritillaria del- 

 phiniensis, var. Moggridgei, which gave an effective yellow 

 colour to the whole slope upon which they were growing. 

 Ranunculus pgrenceus was the only other plant in any abund- 

 ance upon this eastward facing slope. 



A great expanse of rich green pasture for goats on moun- 

 tains near to Mount Tanarello, especially attracted our 

 attention. Above were the steep rocky summits, upon which, 

 clearly enough localised, were patches dark with " Alpen- 

 rose," where the more constant mists allowed of its growth 

 at elevations between 6500-7500 feet. In the broad con- 

 spicuous belt of verdure were sheets of Anemone narcissifiora 

 {Anemone alpina was a little lower down), TroUius, Veratrum, 

 Gentiana lutea, verna, and acaidis; Orchis pallens, conopisea, 

 ustulata, and other species, Pedieularis rosea, &c. Meun) 

 athamanticum was exceedingly plentiful, especially in a 

 somewhat damp depression ; we had seen it in other localities, 

 in actual swamps associated with Caltha, TroUius, Colchicum 

 autumnale. Ranunculus repens, and Polygonum Bistorta. 



We may call attention to the following genera as 

 apparently more or less distinctive of the alpine and sub- 

 alpine flora about Tenda, or because they are otherwise 

 noteworthy on account of their predominance or curious 

 distribution. Hellehorus was represented by H. foitidus and 

 H. viridis ; the former often reached altitudes of 6500 feet ; 

 at times, in rocky places amongst pines, it was quite the 

 most prominent plant. Its range is more extensive than 

 most plants that we observed, as it is a constant inhabitant 

 of the steeps and somewhat shaded places near to Mortola, 

 within fifty feet of the sea-leveL It is a denizen of piue 

 woods in the north of England, but does not extend north of 

 Belgium on the continent. Chelidonium majus we noticed 



TRANS. BOT. SOC. VOL. XVIII. 2 Q 



