932 



C. SKOTTSBERG 



Fig. 42. Stony AlpiuL ncuii licir Ltiro Correspondencia, Masafuera, 



— Photo 14/2 191 7. 



not make themselves conspicuous before we reacli the stony slopes and rocky 

 crags higher up, approximately above 1300 m where, in addition to the Magell- 

 anian element, a number of noteworthy endemics make their appearance, with 

 bryophytes and lichens forming closed carpets (Pis. 114, 115, text fig. 42.) 



Grass-land occupies much larger areas on Masafuera than any other kind of 

 vegetation, covering the entire basal region and ascending across the dissected 

 table-land to its western border. On the talus deposits at the foot of the cliffs 

 along the east side, on the valley slopes of the lower montane belt and the 

 plains between the canyons, the grass-land has same flora as the native grass-land 

 of Masatierra, but some of the species [Piptochactiuni, Da)ithonia etc.) do not 

 occur on Masafuera. Of foreign grasses A7ithoxanlhu7n is by far the most abund- 

 ant, taking the part of Avena barbata, which is of little importance. Of other 

 weeds Acaena was only seen in two places, but it may have spread since, and 

 most other adventitious species, many dating from the time of the settlement, 

 are more or less confined to the vicinity of the abandoned dwelling sites. The 

 abundance oi Anthoxanthtwi on the highland was mentioned diho\e\ Ruin ex ace- 

 tosella comes second. It is hard to imagine what the upland country looked like 

 before the arrival of these intruders. If we could exterminate them, the result 

 would be extensive desert-likes areas, and I do not think that these were ever 

 covered by either Lophosoria or Giinnera, because I fail to see how the weeds 

 ever managed to germinate in the deep shade of the fern fronds or pangue lea- 

 ves, much less being able to crowd them out unless the country was burnt over. 



