

Nov., 1918] Recovery of Vegetation at Kodiak 



47 



The trees themselves were but little affected by the ash 

 fall, although their branches were heavily loaded, and in places 

 still retain considerable ash. (See page 48). In the deeper 

 parts of the forest the branches bore great masses of moss, 

 which, of course, caught and held quantities of ash. During 

 the interval that has followed the moss has grown out over the 

 ash, making larger masses than ever and giving the trees a 

 very bizarre appearance. (See page 46). 



Photograph by B. B. Fulton 



THE MESH WORK OF MOSS ON THE FOREST FLOOR. 



Wind borne spores lodged in the mud cracks whose position was thus indicated by 



a growth of moss long after they had been filled up by drifting ash. 



(Vegetation Station 11). 



The most striking feature of the re vegetation of the forest, 

 however, is to be found on the ground. When the ash dried 

 out after the first heavy rains following the eruption, deep 

 cracks appeared like the mud cracks in a dried-up puddle. 

 (See pages 4 and 48). These cracks are, of course, long since 

 filled up by drifting ash, but a heavy growth of moss (Ambly- 

 stegium sp.) has come up in every crack, giving the ground 

 a most curious reticulated appearance. (See cut above). 



