CHAP. Lxxxv SCLEROPHYLLOUS FOREST 309 



At greater altitudes, on wet, cold, clay soil, evergreen species are 

 replaced by Quercus sessiliflora var. pubescens, whose stiff, hairy leaves 

 betray its xerophytic nature.^ 



In Algeria, according to Trabut,"^ where the annual rainfall exceeds 

 60 centimetres, Quercus Suber gives rise to forest. In the forest-district 

 agriculture is practicable without artificial irrigation. As the forest 

 includes, in addition to evergreen trees, such deciduous ones as Castanea, 

 Populus tremula, Alnus glutinosa, Fraxinus, and Ulmus, its flora recalls 

 Central Europe rather than the maquis. On the Atlas Mountains forest 

 is formed by Quercus Ballota. 



Other Mediterranean Forests. 



In Mediterranean countries one finds olive-forests and oUve-planta- 

 tions, composed of the marked xerophyte Olea europaea.^ 



On the Austrian coast Laurus nobilis produces forest. This species, 

 which has leaves rather large for a Mediterranean plant, grows for the 

 most part as underwood in oak-forests.* 



Laurineous Forest on the Canary Isles. 



These laurel-forests, which have been described by Christ,^ develop 

 in the cloud-belt, and specially in valleys and gullies, where even in 

 summer heavy mist arises daily or almost daily. The ground is covered 

 with a dense green carpet of ferns and mosses. The forest consists of 

 laurineous trees, including Persea indica, Laurus canariensis, Ocotea 

 foetens, and Phoebe barbusana, with which are copiously mingled Ilex 

 canariensis, Erica arborea, Myrica Faya, and others. The underwood 

 is composed of Rhamnus glandulosa. Viburnum rigidum, and others ; 

 lianes are represented by species of Smilax. The leaves belong to the 

 " laurel-form ', that is to say, they are undivided, entire, and coriaceous ; 

 but other purely xerophytic types are also to be seen. A pecuhar, deep- 

 green shade prevails in the forest under the dark canopy of laurineous 

 trees. The refreshing humidity in these forests contrasts sharply with 

 the scorching heat of the open slopes, and is accentuated by the scent 

 of violets, moss, and earth that comes from forest-soil. This last is almost 

 exclusively carpeted with countless ferns, and thus recalls forests in New 

 Guinea and other Pacific islands ; apart from these, herbs are scanty. 

 The same type of forest is encountered on Madeira.^ 

 This laurineous forest approaches mesophytic forest most closely. 



Other Sclerophyllous Forests. 



Sclerophyllous forest occurs in various other parts of the world where 

 the rain falls in winter : in Australia, Chile, and California.^ In Australia 

 it is largely composed of Eucalyptus, Acacia, and Proteaceae. In Cali- 

 fornia it is formed by species of Quercus (Q. macrocarpa) and Sequoia 

 sempervirens. 



Flahault, 1893. ' Trabut, 1888. ' See p. 128; also 

 Beck von Mannagetta, 1901. * Kerner, 1886. ' Christ, 1885. 



* Vahl, 1904 b. 



' Schomburgh, 1875 : Diels, 1906; Reiche, 1907 ; Mayr. 1890. 



