84 PLANT LIFE OF ALABAMA. 



glomerates of the Coal Measures, rise to an elevation of from 1,200 to 

 1,500 feet above sea level. Their summits, spreading into table-lands 

 of comparatively limited extent, support a more varied and heavier 

 tree growth than the table-lands of the Warrior basin, differing chiefl v 

 by the total absence of pines and the appearance of species common 

 also to the forests of the Ohio Valley, and as yet not observed in other 

 parts of the State. Oaks form the predominating forest growth of 

 these highlands white oak, mountain oak, and line black oak. As 

 observed on Monte Sano and the adjoining ridges, the typical sugar 

 maple (Acer saccharum) of the North is not rarely met with on the 

 summit and the highest flanks in the richest spots. Its variety (Acer 

 saccJiarum barbatum) with smaller and sharper-lobed leaves, is more 

 frequent and is widely diffused over the rocky hills which extend south- 

 ward to the tertiary ridges of the Upper Division of the coast pine 

 belt, associated with the cucumber tree, silver-leaf linden (Tilia hetero- 

 phylla), and sweet buckeye (Aesculus octandra). A group of fine trees 

 of this last species, which is rare in Alabama, was observed on a ter- 

 race of rich soil a short distance below the brow of Monte Sano. The 

 trees measured from 25 to 30 inches in diameter and from 75 to 85 feet 

 in height. This truly Alleghenian type, extending from the head- 

 waters of the Ohio River in Pennsylvania along the mountains to the 

 northwestern corner of Georgia, finds its southern limit at this point. 



The valleys skirting the detached spurs of the Cumberland Moun- 

 tains are for the greater part still covered with the original forest, 

 which is practically untouched by the ax. It can be said that a consid- 

 erable portion of the most valuable hardwood timber found in the State 

 is hidden in these secluded valleys as, for example, in the valley of 

 the Paintrock River. It is stated that in this valley, of about 35 miles 

 in length, the tulip tree or yellow poplar (Liriodendron tuLipifera) 

 abounds in its largest dimensions, with white oak, linden, white ash, 

 large sassafras, and black walnut, and with red cedar of superior qual- 

 ity occupying the damp rocky recesses. 



The ridges of Subcarbonif erous limestone rarely exceed an elevation 

 of 1,200 feet. Their tree growth is the same as that of the forests 

 which cover the gentler slopes of the limestone ledges cropping out 

 beneath the sandstones which cap the summit of the higher ranges. 

 On the flanks, with a deeper soil covering, the tulip tree becomes more 

 frequent among the oaks, associated with the maples mentioned, and, 

 more rarely, with white ash and shell-bark hickory (IRcoria ovatd). 

 Black walnut (Juglcms nigra) and wild cherry (Prunus serotina) are but 

 rarely found even on the richest spots. Fetid buckeye (Aesculus gla- 

 bra) is of rather rare occurrence on the more exposed slopes of the cal- 

 careous hills, and red cedar is mingled with the hard- wood trees. Of 

 the trees of smaller size, the American smoke tree ( Cotinus cotinoides) 

 makes its appearance on the calcareous summits and upon the shelves 



