CHAP. VII. BOTANICAL GEOGRAPHY. SOI 



(308.) Botanical Stations. The various peculiari- 

 ties which characterize different "stations/' can scarcely 

 be appreciated. Those which possess a very general 

 resemblance, may still differ in some important cir- 

 cumstance by which the existence, or at least the pre- 

 valence of some peculiar species may be determined. 

 Thus a marsh may be formed by salt and fresh water 

 mixed in different proportions ; two tracts in other 

 respects alike, may be very differently exposed to the 

 prevalence of winds, or the influence of sea breezes, 

 &c. Independently of these modifying circumstances, 

 we may enumerate about sixteen tolerably well de- 

 fined stations, to one or other of which the different 

 plants of every flora will be found more particularly 

 attached. 



1. Maritime. Districts bordering on the sea and 

 influenced by the spray and sea breezes. 



2. Marine. Where plants are growing beneath 

 or on the surface of the sea itself. 



3. Aquatic. Freshwater rivers and lakes, where 

 the plants are wholly immersed or floating on the 

 surface. 



4. Marsh. Bogs and fens. 



5. Meadows and Pastures. 



6. Cultivated Lands. These districts abound in 

 plants which have been introduced by the agency of 

 man, and have become completely or partially na- 

 turalized. 



7. Rocks. Lichens, mosses, and other crypto- 

 gamic tribes abound in rocky situations, but more 

 especially in the vicinity of springs and cascades. A 

 few phanerogamic plants also affect such situations, 

 even where there is little or no soil to support them. 



8. Sands. 



9. Barren Tracts, by road sides, &c. 



10. Rubbish. There are many species which 

 seem to follow the footsteps of man, and spring up 

 wherever he scatters the rubbish and rejectamenta of 

 his dwellings. 



