VIAKYLAXl) WEATHEK SERVICE 



103 



attributed entirely to their physical texture in view of the almost 

 universal acidity of the Elkton Clay and Meadow. 



A matter of considerable importance in relation to the distribution 

 of vegetation on the Eastern Shore is the position and character of 

 the Talbot and Wicomico formations, the most recent deposits of 

 Pleistocene age. These formations exist as nearly level terraces, the 

 former and older of which lies almosl entirely inland and is in an 

 early sequential stage of erosion, while the latter borders the Chesa- 

 peake Bay as a low terrace of varying width. The features of the 



-Map of Maryland showing the distribution of the Talbot and 

 Wicomico formations. 



topography and soils of these formations have been described in the 

 introduction and their area is shown on the accompanying map. 



In the Talbot Formation there is no relation between the topog- 

 raphy and the distribution id' the soils, so that there occur areas ol 

 well-drained Elkton clay or Meadow and well-drained sandy loams 

 ami sands, as well as areas of these same soils which lie so as to !»■ 

 almost constantly saturated. Distinctions are observable between the 

 vegetation of the well drained clay and the well drained light soils. 

 and also between the poorly drained areas on the two classes of soils. 

 The well drained soils will be here designated as "Upland" and the 

 poorly drained ones as "Upland Swamps," in distinction to the 



