GRASS-LANDS : PASTURES AND MEADOWS 369 



possess fewer species than pastures ; the grasses are com- 

 monly of species introduced by man, and since these are 

 grown as a crop, relatively few other species occur. In a 

 pasture, however, which in hilly districts may never have 

 been under the plough, we have a greater variety of wild 

 grasses together with a considerable number of flowering 

 plants. In either case the species will tend to vary according 

 to changes of soil, water-content, or other factors. 



Survey of a pasture. Examine a pasture, one with some 

 variety of surface for preference, and select a line passing 

 through typical parts of it. Study the plants along this line 

 and note also any differences which occur as to changes of 

 slope, soils, and their water-capacity, and drainage. Do 

 you find any indication of change of species which corre- 

 sponds to change of conditions ? Compare the plants of 

 the drier, well-drained parts with those of wetter parts, and 

 notice any peculiarities in habit and form of leaf. Do the 

 species persist throughout and under all these conditions, 

 or are some more restricted in their distribution ? Draw 

 to scale a plan of the field ; indicate changes of level by 

 contour-lines, and mark on this plan by means of signs the 

 more characteristic plants as they occur. A small field 

 studied in this way has a steep slope marking the outcrop of 

 a bed of sandstone ; the lower part is flat, lies over a bed of 

 shale, and is ill-drained and damp. This pasture is bounded 

 above by a Hawthorn hedge, beneath the shade of which 

 are woodland plants, e. g. Bracken, Male Fern, Bluebell, 

 Anemone, and woodland grasses. The steep slope is 

 covered by a sandy loam, and the fine, rolled-leaved Hair- 

 grass is so abundant as to give a distinct aspect to the slope. 



Careful examination shows that many other species 

 grow along with it, such as Lady's Bedstraw, Tormentil, 

 Purging Flax, Speedwell, Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Sheep's 

 Sorrel, White Clover, Field Rush, Narrow-leaved Plantain, 

 Mouse-ear Chickweed, and a few plants of Eyebright and 



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