107 
ON SOME PLANTS OBSERVED IN ICELAND IN 
JUNE, 1861. 
By Isaac Carroll. 
My stay in Iceland was limited to about eight days in all ; five of 
which were spent in an excursion to the Geysers from Reykjavik, and 
three days at Akreyri, in the north. It was impossible to do a great 
deal in so short a time, yet I succeeded in finding three or four 
Pbamogama, and several Cryptogams, which had not been recorded 
ill the previously published Floras which have come under my observa- 
tion. (The names of such species are printed in italics in the following- 
list.) ^ B 
I need not remark on the well-known barrenness and desolation of 
Iceland, but I may observe that vegetation was more abundant and 
more forward at Akreyri than in the vicinity of Reykjavik, and I am 
convinced that a few weeks or months spent in the north or north-west 
parts of the island would yield a rich harvest to a careful botanist. 
The most remarkable thing about the Icelandic flora is its strikingly 
Arctic character, shown by the absence of trees, and the occurrence at 
or near the sea level of plants, which in Norway and Lapland (at a 
much higher latitude) are usually found at considerable elevations. 
he number of Lichens appears to be very small, the lava being nearly 
destitute of these plants. I saw none of the larger Parmelia, but 
yttraria Islandica is found in great quantities on the deserts of the 
tenor, and if the flat-topped basalt mountains of the north-west were 
properly examined, a greater variety might no doubt be obtained. 
osses are common enough in wet spots, the species being mostly 
identical with our British ones. 
Ranunculus glacialis, X. On a high 
A. pet ram, Lam. Common on the 
deserts near Reykjavik. 
Draba hirta, L. (rupestris, Br.) Fre- 
quent at a low elevation. 
D. incana, L, Ditto. 
D. verna, L. Bank near Akreyri. 
Viola tricolor, L. Banks at Akreyri, 
abundant. 
c ^ Lychnis alpina, L. Not unfrequent. 
south, and on the mountains over Alsine rubella, Whlnb. Not rare on 
mountain over Akreyri, Eyjafjord. 
a t the snow-line. 
* Pygmmus, Whlnb. With the pre- 
ying. Since found (in 1862) at 
Holar, by Sabine Baring-Gould. 
on rocks. 
Withth 
Arabi3 a, Pina, L. Sparingly in the 
Akrevri. 
the deserts. 
