262 RIKARD STERNER 



Tabic 6. The mean cloudiness during the summer half=year (May — Septem = 



ber) for South Sweden and parts of Russia (according to Hamberg 1909 



and Schoenrock 1895), Paris and Vienna (according to Hann I, p. 66). 



Paris 5-1 Vanersborg 5.7 



Vienna 4-8 Vaxici 5-3 



Central Russia 5.0 Nykoping 5.1 



South Russia 4-i Kalmar 5.2 



West Turkestan i-7 Karlshamn 5.2 



I'psala 5-5 Gothenburg 5.6 



Vasteras S-^' Varberg 6.0 



Linkoping 5-7 Lund 5.7 



2. South Sweden is, especially as far as the summer temperature is concerned, 

 distinctly divided on tlie north from the forest region of Norrland. 



3. A comparison between the climatic conditions of South Sweden and adja- 

 cent parts of Europe shows clearly that South Sweden has the character of a 

 transition area from Continental to Atlantic Europe. With regard to amount and 

 annual distribution of precipitation south-eastern Sweden has a distinctly conti- 

 nental character. 



The nature of the soil in South Sweden. 



The nature of the soil in South Sweden has not yet been subjected to any 

 systematic investigation. Sporadic information about it has been supplied by 

 Anders-son und He.sselman (1910), He.sselman (191 1 and 1917 a and b), Tamm 

 (1920 and 1921). About different kinds of soil and their chemical composition 

 there are numerous reports in the publications of the Geological Survey of Swe- 

 den; here the surveys of Lindstrom and Tornebohm (Lindstrom 1898; Tornc- 

 bohm 1 901) may be especially mentioned. Eor a detailed examination of the 

 phytogeographical importance of the nature of the soil there is a very great need 

 of comprehensive investigations. 



As regards the connection of the soil with the climate the South Swedish 

 soil-types are classed with the humid ones. Hence the water current in the 

 ground is descendmg\ the soluble salts and colloids disengaged in the weathering 

 are carried away from the upper layers; the soil acquires a »podsoh-> type and 

 the colloidal humus substances occur chiefly in sol condition, forming a more or 

 less developed layer of ra/i' huniits. 



1 he humid character of the soil, however, is of different strength in diftcrent 

 parts of South Sweden — a fact which, if we consider only the influence of the 



