358 Andr. Lundager 



here on the small patches of gravel in the shelter of larger and 

 smaller loose stones. Upon the south-west side of the mountain, 

 facing the lake, the most favourable conditions for the vegetation exist 

 which can on the whole be found in the district traversed. Seen 

 from a distance there is here in reality a vegetation which reminds 

 one of heather-moors (cf. Warming, "Lynghede" in Meddelelser om 

 Grønland, XII, 1887). Cassiope is the most dominant plant (Fig. 4); 

 it imparts a dark tone to the rocks. At nearer approach the nume- 

 rous, small rippling half-hidden streamlets from the more elevated 

 snow-drifts are distinctly heard. Upon the rather steep rocky slope, 

 where these tiny murmuring brooklets cut their way into the layer 

 of moorland soil, one also meets with strips of continuous greensward, 

 apparently consisting principally of species of Carex which, however, 

 cannot be determined at this time of the year. If anywhere anything 

 could be reminescent of "grassy slopes" ("Urteli") it would be here 

 where certain spots open a possibility for the formation of humus. 

 A slight depression between the stones easily becomes filled with 

 withered plant-remains and the dung of the hare and the ptar- 

 migan — a fitting nursery for saprophytic fungi. When these loose 

 materials are removed many tender young shoots, as might be 

 expected, are found in a soil penetrated by plant- roots; but it is 

 not the tender or the frail species which have here been permitted 

 to occupy the best localities. So far as the contents of the spirit- 

 jars from this locality could be determined, it was, as from the 

 corresponding localities nearer the coast. Campanula and Polygonum 

 which principally cover such relatively favourable small patches of 

 the otherwise hard and poor rocky flat. 



Besides the above-mentioned species, Draba glacialis flowered here 

 on June 16; but already two days earlier it had been found flowering 

 in Lambert Land (79° 8'). Hierochloë also stands here, broad and strong, 

 with open anthers. In these dreary, poor surroundings its effect is very 

 arrogant, like that of a giant of old descent who struggles for survival. 



While I am busy with my collections a humble-bee buzzes noisily 

 round me and a spider darts away frightened, being disturbed in its 

 chase by my intrusion. 



About the 20th several lakelets (Figs. 2, 3) are free from ice and 

 spring has come to Danmarks Havn also. The small wading-birds 

 are now nesting and in the lakes one encounters Long-taileds Ducks, 

 Eiderfowl, Red-throated Divers and Brent Geese. 



Although it may be said that Saxifraga oppositifolia is now in 

 flower nearly everywhere, it is evident that it is a little behindhand 

 in places where it is exposed to the north. Saxifraga flagellaris is 



