406 LABRADOR 



relatively low number of species and families. It is im- 

 possible to give exact figures. We have already noticed 

 both that all these northern lands are still insufficiently 

 explored, and that the nomenclature of their known plants 

 needs careful revision. The figures quoted from Hooker 

 and Schimper cannot be regarded as accurate. Yet with 

 all the revision to which they may be subject, the large 

 difference existing between Arctic and temperate regions 

 remains strikingly true, and its degree is probably fairly 

 well indicated by the figures given. The writer has at- 

 tempted a calculation for Labrador, based on all the reports, 

 reliable or otherwise, known to him in January, 1905 ; but 

 its results, for the foregoing reasons, must not be regarded 

 as very exact. According to it, there occur in Labrador 

 not far from 425 species of vascular plants, belonging to 

 50 families. In addition to these there are about 300 

 species of bryophytes and fungi so far discovered. The 

 number of species in the orders best represented is as fol- 

 lows: Composite 36, Ericacece 31, Cruciferce 30, Roseacece 

 29, Cyperacece 28, Graminece 27, Caryophyllacece 26, Salica- 

 cece 19, Saxifragacece 19, Ranunculacece 19, Scrophulariacece 

 14. The number of species in the genera best represented 

 is: Carex 21, Solix 17, Potentilla 11, Saxifraga 11, Draba 

 11, Ranunculus 10, Arenaria 9, Epilobium 9, Vaccinium 7, 

 Pedicularis 7, Lycopodium 7, Stellaria 6, Poa 6. 



Having now studied the main influences affecting the 

 flora of Labrador, and the characteristic features of its 

 plants resulting therefrom, we are in a position to consider 

 the general appearance of the Labrador landscape near the 

 coast, so far as it is determined by vegetable life. It will 

 be necessary to distinguish several different regions or 



