THE SOIL 



327 



Soils vary greatly in different localities; some are siliceous, 

 and contain varying proportions of grit, sand, and clay. 

 Others are calcareous, and contain varying proportions of 



1 2. 3. 4. 5. 



Fig. 214. Absorption of Water by Different Soils. 

 1, sand; 2, clay ; 3, surface soil ; 4, subsoil ; 5, bracken peat. 



lime. There are also great differences in the proportion of 

 organic matter present, and the amount of water they hold. 

 These differences are more or less reflected on the vegetation 

 they support. The plants growing on siliceous soils are 

 often different from those on calcareous soils, and give a 



