REMARKS UPON THE DISTRIBUTION OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS. 569 



of the White Mountains ; and on our alpine summits, above the limit of 

 trees, the vegetation is altogether peculiar. 



About fifty-four plants are met with on the alpine summits of the 

 White Mountains, which are found nowhere else in New England except 

 on similar summits in neighboring states, and, in addition to these, prob- 

 ably enough species whose habitat is lower down find their way to the 

 same region to make the number more than one hundred. On my 

 recent visit to Mt. Washington and its neighbors, I made what obser- 

 vations on this subject my limited time allowed, noticing fifty-eight 

 such species. These, added to the fifty-four truly alpine species, make 

 one hundred and twelve species which I now know to be found above the 

 limit of trees. 



An enumeration of both divisions will be found appended. A thor- 

 ough investigation of this subject would be of great practical value ; and 

 perhaps it has been made, though not within my knowledge. 



Of these plants, at least thirteen species belong to the Ericaceae, eleven 

 to the Compositae, seven to the Rosaceae, four to the Caryophyllaceae, 

 three each to the Scrophulariaceae and Polygonaceae ; while there are two 

 birches, four willows, five rushes, thirteen sedges, and two club-mosses. 



On the very summit of Mt. Washington are found in comparative 

 abundance Arenaria Grcenlandica, Poa laxa, Juncus trifidus, and, where 

 there is a little moisture, Carex rigida. 



A little lower down, while descending the first steep, rocky sides of 

 the highest peak, we begin to find in dry places Potentilla trifida, the 

 two Lycopodia, Diapensia Lapponica; and, wherever there is a little 

 more warmth and moisture, especially on the slope towards Tuckerman's 

 ravine, the Solidago, some of the grasses, the dwarf Cornus, chickweed 

 wintergreen, June us filiformis, and a variety of the Carex cancscens, 

 which grows abundantly throughout New Hampshire. We then begin 

 to find the great variety of Alpine shrubs, most of which get along with- 

 out much moisture, but where there is a moist spot, the Painted cup, 

 Peck's Geum, the two species of Nabalus, and Spircea salicifolia. 



I found both the common sorrel (Rumex acctosella) and herds-grass 

 (Phleum pratense) far up toward the summit. 



Around the Lake of the Clouds may be found the willows and alpine 

 birch, the alpine violet and bistort and cranberry, Linncea borealis, the 

 VOL. i. 74 



