174 PHANEROGAMIC FLORA OF SPITZBERGEN. 
sea. "The flora of Spitzbergen must consequently also be compara- 
tively recent and still continuing to increase. 
The coast land is often in terraces rising one above another. It is 
composed generally of compact gravel and sand, with imbedded peb- 
bles. The vegetation on the terraces is very scanty, consisting almost 
exclusively of solitary individuals, occasionally a few growing toge- 
ther, of Saxifraga oppositifolia, S. cernua, S. cespitosa, Papaver nudi- 
- eaule, Drabe, Alsine rubella, Carex misandra, etc. On a closer exami- 
nation, one finds here and there a species of moss, and the lar ger stones 
are generally covered with different crustaceous lichens; but the eye 
seeks in vain for a green spot to rest on, everywhere the soil is grey and 
arren. 
Occasionally the strip of coast land forms a gently sloping plain of 
considerable breadth, or the terraces have level plains, over which the 
snow-water slowly flows, depositing the mud and clay with which it is 
charged and forming marshy places, which are covered with a luxuriant 
moss-vegetation, In such places grow Zriophorum, Juncus, Dupontia, 
Sazxifraga Hirculus, S. rivularis, etc. : 
Nearer the base of the mountains the ground is more sloping and is 
kept moist by the melting snow, which brings with it sufficient mud to 
form a suitable soil for vegetation. The heat of the sun is also more 
powerful, because of the sloping nature of the ground, and the moun- 
tains form a protection against the chilling winds. Everything, indeed, 
is suited to cover these rising grounds with the most luxuriant vegeta- 
tion in Spitzbergen. And it is especially rich, green, and variegated 
when the summits of the overhanging cliffs or mountains are tenanted 
as they often are, by thousands of birds.* In such places Ranuneulus 
eec grows more than a foot high; one can wade up to the knee 
ochlearie and Cerastia; Saxifraga nivalis, 8. hieracifolia, Pedieu- 
wes and Ozyria, grow much larger than usual; Luzula hyperborea, 
Alopecurus, and Dupontie spring luxuriantly from the green mossy 
carpet ; and so vigorous and large are Poa cenisia and P. stricta, that 
it is difficult to recognize them, But it is not the Grasses or the flower- 
ing plants that form the continuous green covering which is spread 
around the base of the mountains, This is produced by a few species 
of Mosses, chiefly of the genera Hypnum and Aulacomnium. It is said - 
Tia Grylle, U. Brünnichii, unice arcticus, Mergulus Alle, Larus glaucus, 
L. kiaii and Procellaria glacialis 
