112 ROCK PLANTS OF THE PASTURES 



externally in response to the physical conditions under 

 which they grow. 



The Alpine Buttercup {Ranunculus alpestris, Linn.) 

 is often an abundant representative of the genus on 

 rocks or on rocky ground, especially on calcareous 

 soils at an elevation of about 6,000 feet. Its 

 chief peculiarity is the dwarf habit, which, however, 

 it shares with other Buttercups at high elevations. 

 The whole plant is only from 2 to 4 inches in height. 

 The leaves, which spring from a very short stem, are 

 stalked, heart-shaped, and lobed. The nerves are 

 very conspicuous on the upper surfaces, as in some 

 other Alpines ; cf. Salix reticulata, p. 188. The white 

 flowers are solitary, and each is borne erect on a 

 long stalk (Plate XXX., Fig. 1). 



The whole plant is remarkable for being entirely 

 free from hairs, unlike the majority of Alpines. 



The Alpine Pinks. 



In the month of July in the Alps, some of the 

 spring flowers, especially on the drier stony slopes in 

 the mountain pastures, are replaced by newcomers, 

 among which are the Pinks. Three species are 

 fairly common in the Alpine zone, while others 

 occur at lower elevations, and one rare species is 

 confined to the High Alps. 



The Large - flowered Pink {Dianthus superhus, 

 Linn., natural order Caryophyllaceae, the Pink 

 family), flom^ishing in meadows and on the edges 

 of woods, is the handsomest of the Alpine species. 



