THE ALPINE ZONE 3 



here. We have still much to learn as regards the 

 life of Swiss Alpine plants. Many of their striking 

 characteristics cannot be satisfactorily explained at 

 present. However, on others we are now beginning 

 to get some light, as the result of scientific enquiries, 

 conducted for the most part within recent years. 



In the present chapter we will endeavour to 

 illustrate these principles by reference to some well- 

 known Swiss Alpines. For the moment, however, 

 we may first pause to enquire : What is an Alpine 

 plant ? This is a question which it is not possible 

 to answer accurately. The term is an arbitrary one, 

 and, so far as Switzerland is concerned, an Alpine 

 plant is best defined as one flourishing within the Alpine 

 zone, another term which itself implies a still more 

 arbitrary distinction. 



Switzerland, although a small country, varies 

 greatly as regards altitude. It is well known that as 

 we ascend towards the mountains from the lowlands 

 of northern Switzerland, the flora changes gradually. 

 We can recognise, as we pass upwards, at least three 

 zones, which we may call the Lowland, the Subalpine, 

 and the Alpine. The general character of the flora of 

 each zone is distinct, though the zones merge 

 gradually one into the other, and many plants may 

 occur in two, or even all three, zones. As a rule, 

 however, with several noteworthy exceptions, each 

 plant flourishes abundantly in one particular zone 

 alone, and is only feebly represented in, or even 

 entirely absent from, the others. 



