GENERAL INTRODUCTION 



The Flora of the Mountains 



3lafare and Gnvironmenf of 

 'TKountain ffora 



MOUNTAIN vegetation, whether it clothe the slopes 

 of the Alps, or the Jura, of the Pyrenees, of the 

 Caucasus, or the Himalaya, is stamped with a common and 

 distinctive type. There are certain characteristics peculiar 

 to this flora which must at once strike even the most 

 inobservant traveller a shortened stem, a dwarf and 

 restrained growth, with flowers, on the other hand, 

 exaggerated in comparison and developed to stronger 

 proportions than elsewhere. 



The lowlands present large plants, the branches broad 

 and spreading, the foliage fully displayed, the flowers, 

 as a rule, smaller than the leaves. In highlands all is 

 changed ; the stem shrinks almost to non-existence, at 

 least is always very small ; the flowers are large and bril- 

 liant ; the foliage is dwarf, inconspicuous and often hairy. 

 At great heights this downy covering becomes peculiarly 

 insistent, as though a woollen coat were needed to wrap 

 the tiny cells against the colds of night. No doubt the 

 leaves are often smooth, but still the battle against rime 

 and frost is not forgotten; for their surface takes a 



