IE ao 
characterized by few, but exceedingly characteristic plant forms, 
and a terrible monotony. — Of the plants (829 species) in 
this formation, 10,65 per ct. are shrubs. The proportion of 
perennials and biennials to annuals is 1: 0,7. 
Borszczow’s percentages for the families already named 
are as follows for the area of the clay-desert: 
29, per ct. of Ranunculaceae of the whole area. 
40,9 —»— Cruciferae —>— 
17,09 --»— Papilionaceae nu 
23 —»—  Compositae u 
49 —»—  Salsolaceae > 
26 —»—  Cyperaceae ed 
23 >—-»— Gramineae = — 
The most frequent species are Artemisia fragrans and 
A. monogyna: these alone cover large tracts and present a 
most melancholy picture. They are frequently accompanied by 
Salsola crassa, S. lanata, Brachylepis (Anabasis) salsa and Ana- 
basis tatarica, sometimes with Saxaul (Haloxylon Ammoden- 
dron), and Ferula persica, Rheum caspicum and Calligonum 
Calliphysa. 
“The occurrence of these (the three last-named species) 
is so closely correlated with the soils of this area that it 
is possible with the aid of only a few specimens to deter- 
mine with great certainty the character and physiognomy 
of the sub-flora from which they are taken.” 
The plants mentioned are almost the only ones to be 
found in the clay-deserts after the second half of April when 
the sun becomes very powerful. In spring the flora is richer, 
during the flowering season of species of Alyssum, Megacar- 
paea, Tauscheria, Euclidium, Matthiola, Chorispora, Echinosper- 
mum, Onosma, Phelipaea, Allium (A. caspicum), Tulipa patens, 
and Rhinopetalum Karelini. These plants are the “spring de- 
corations of the desert flora’, but unfortunately they are too 
quickly lost again. A richer vegetation of roses with Spiraea 
and Elaeagnus oecurs in the deep ravines on the margin of 
the Usturt. 
3) The area of the Salt-deserts stretches over a very 
