primarily in relation to light or to transpiration is of course prob- 

 lematical, yet the fact that the same ecological adaptations exist 

 where the light condition is normal (the sphagnum bog) but the 

 ratio of transpiration to absorption is high, would tend to favor 

 the latter view. Further discussion of high transpiration and its 

 resulting protective adaptations may be more advantageously 

 considered under wind, and will be reserved for that section. 



With the increased light intensity also goes an abnormal tem- 

 perature relation, varying greatly from that of the surrounding 

 region. It is a point of common knowledge that with an increase 

 of elevation there is a corresponding decrease in temperature, 

 depending upon the increasing ease of radiation as the atmos- 

 pheric density decreases. ''No systematic temperature observa- 

 tions have ever been made upon the mountain. The United 

 States Weather Bureau has, however, had from 1870 to 1892, 

 a station upon Mt. Washington at an altitude of 6,279 feet. 

 Tables of the maximum and minimum temperatures for a series 

 of years compiled from the annual report of the chief signal 

 officer, are very instructive and may be considered quite repre- 

 sentative of the conditions upon Ktaadn. 



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