MacMillan : shores at lake of the woods. 1007 



very complex than as very simple formations. Thus it hap- 

 pens that in the case of shore formations one is not always 

 able to speak with exactness unless an examination of the 

 formation, and of its development as well, is made in great 

 detail. 



Azonal distribution has been described as characteristic of 

 topographic features devoid of radial symmetry. Hence talus 

 heaps, boulder ledges and irregular rock masses are favorable 

 regions for the development of an azonal formation. Often, 

 too, the azonal formation appears as a preliminary stage in 

 zonal distribution. This is particularly well exhibited on burnt 

 shores. When the vegetation has been removed by fire, the 

 new vegetation springs up quite in the azonal manner. So 

 that a burnt shore which might have had well marked zonal 

 population will perhaps be covered with a solid formation of 

 light seeded plants such as Populus and Epilobium, these hav- 

 ing easily reached the shore by the agency of the wind. And 

 if the soil itself was destroyed by the fire, then an azonal 

 formation of lichens and mosses will gradually establish itself 

 and only after the lapse of years will the delicate influences 

 that regulate the zonal grouping of plants make themselves 

 felt over this area. In addition to the more permanent azonal 

 formations, there should, then, be noted these temporary 

 azonal groups on burnt areas. In such cases the azonal dis- 

 tribution may be established and may maintain itself for some 

 time upon tracts which are not devoid of radial symmetry. 

 But this need not be confusing, for commonly such a new 

 formation can easily be distinguished. For example, a uni- 

 form Populus growth along some shore with all the trees of an 

 age may be classified as azonal, perhaps, while another growth 

 with a regular increase in age of the trees from one side of the 

 strip toward the other, may be classified as zonal. 



The various areas of azonal distribution may receive brief 

 consideration in their order. 



TAL US. 



Naturally the character of the talus depends upon the ledge 

 from which it fell. The chemical composition of the rock, its 

 cleavage, bedding and tilt, its mass, slope and height, the 

 slant of the lake bottom and numerous other considerations 

 regulate the coarseness, the extent, the inclination and the 

 habitability of the talus. Inmost cases, however, talus compo- 

 sed of large blocks with slight admixture of humus may be re- 



