24 VEGETATION OF BLAKENEY POINT. 



the majority of localities but also the bulk of individuals, were 

 all on the landward edge of the nearest line of Suceda bushes, 

 and in most cases quite close to them. 



To anticipate slightly with respect to the lateral hooks (cf. 

 p. 30); the distribution of the Artemisia there is in general 

 very clearly and sharply defined, forming a zone between the 

 outer edge of the Siuzda bushes and the salt marsh itself, with 

 a few plants occasionally intermingled. The close associa- 

 tion, usually in the same definite relative position obtaining 

 between these two species on the main bank as on the laterals, 

 impresses us forcibly with the fact that we have here no mere 

 coincidence but a clear indication that these plants formerly 

 occupied such places at the edge of the salt marsh now over- 

 whelmed by the landward advance of the shingle. 



We can, therefore, conclude that the halophytic flora of the 

 main bank is to be regarded as comprised of relicts, and the 

 data for this can be summarised as under : 



(a) The relative positions of the Suceda, Artemisia (and 



perhaps Obione and Festuca) which obtain in un- 

 disturbed marshes are retained by the relicts on the 

 mobile shingle. 



(b) Instances of recent overwhelming are not infrequent at 



the edge. 



(c) The relicts occur chiefly where marshes now fringe the 



bank, and are mostly distributed towards the landward 

 edge. 



(d) The absence of Suaeda opposite hooks due to " hook 



sliding." (Oliver, loc. cit., p. 92). 



(e) Plants of Artemisia, Statice and Plant ago close to the 



edge still have their roots in the marsh soil below. 

 The Arenicolous Element. 



Dune plants are likewise represented in the shingle flora, and 

 some of these, at all events, are to be regarded as colonists. At 

 its distal extremity (the Headland) the shingle bank is almost 

 completely covered by dunes, and transitions between these 

 and the shingle formation are to be found, and will be con- 

 sidered in connection with the dune formation. The following 



