THE CONTINENTAL FLORA OF SOUTH SWEDEN 277 



Chapter VII. 



Methods and Principles for the enquiry into the distribution of con- 

 tinental species in South Sweden. 



An indispensable condition for a close discussion of the distribution of species 

 is a thorough knowledge of their distribution itself. The first object of this exa- 

 mination has consequently been to acquire the greatest possible material in the 

 way of data as to localities for the species in question. 



My material has been acquired in the following way: 



1. From the literature. Space does not permit me to give a list of the works 

 consulted; but such a list will be given in a special part of this thesis, which is 

 now in preparation. I have tried, as far as possible, to utilize also the compa- 

 ratively considerable material that is to be obtained from manuscripts, letters 

 accounts of travels etc. As will easily be understood, the examination of these 

 takes a very great amount of time, and consequently I have not been able to 

 use all possibilities in this respect. 



2. From the Jierbaria of the greater museums: Upsala, Botanical Museum and 

 Phytobiological Institution; Stockholm, State Museum of Natural history. These 

 three I have myself examined. Lund, Botanical Museum, from which the locali- 

 ties have kindly been listed for me by the Conservator O. R. Holmberg. Add to 

 this some minor herbaria belonging to public schools or private persons, which 

 I have been able to utilize chiefly thanks to the kind assistance of other persons. 



3. Through observations of other persons not hitherto published in the ways 

 above mentioned. I have obtained a very great part of my material through 

 other persons giving me information about their observations. If I had not in 

 this way received considerable help in the collection of the material, it would 

 have been impossible to carry out this investigation within a comparatively reason- 

 able time. I am greatly indebted to those who have helped me in this for the 

 ready courtesy they have always shown to me. 



4. Through my own observations. During the last four summers I have made 

 a number of journeys in south-eastern Sweden. These journeys, however, have 

 been planned not only to study the distribution but also, and in certain cases 

 chiefly, to study the habitat conditions of certain species in already well-known 

 stations. The following districts have been visited. In igiS: eastern Skane, 

 western Blekinge, the Ema valley in Smaland (from Vetlanda to Malilla). In 1919: 

 eastern Smaland (from Misterhult and the neighbourhood of Safsjo in the north 

 to the border of Blekinge in the south), northern Blekinge (the parishes of Sill- 

 hofda, Oljehult, Backaryd, and Ronneby), Falbygden in Vastergotland, and the 

 neighbourhood of Mjolby in Ostergotland. In ig20: eastern Smaland: the dis- 



