Nov., 1918] Recovery of Vegetation at Kodiak 45 



such ash, was red, dwarfted, and malformed, and did not 

 advance beyond the cotyledon stage in the course of six weeks. 

 It is not surprising, therefore, to find the areas covered by this 

 material absolutely bare except where pierced by the old plants 

 from beneath. (See cut below). Since the ash is composed of 

 the most insoluble materials, there is no reason to expect a 

 change in its physical condition. It is difficult to see, therefore, 

 how vegetation can ever start in such areas. Some of those 



Photograph by R. F. Griggs 

 A DRIFT OF CLOSE PACKED ASH UNSUITED FOR PLANT GROWTH. 



Buckwheat planted here had not passed beyond the cotyledon stage in six weeks. 



(Vegetation Station 14.) 



chosen for vegetation stations are so located that the ash 

 accumulation is not likely to be eroded away. Their future 

 history will be watched with interest. 



MESH-WORK OF MOSS ON THE FOREST FLOOR. 



Except for the ponds, most of the habitats so far discussed 

 belong to the open country westward from Kodiak. In the 

 shelter of the forest to the eastward, the conditions for the 

 growth of seedlings are much more favorable 21 . 



21 Kodiak stands at the line separating the great Pacific coniferous forest 

 from the open grassland beyond. For a discussion of the ecological aspects of 

 this transition see: Griggs, R. F. Observations on the Edge of the Forest in the 

 Kodiak Region of Alaska. Bull. Torr. Bot. Club. 41: 381-385. 1914. 



