lA. BARRENS. 



39 



much like those of the post-oak flatwoods region to be 

 described later (no. 9) ; and around the ponds the vege- 

 tation is similar to that of some of the Coosa valley flat- 

 woods (region no 4). There are also considerable areas 

 of creek-bottom forests in the more level portions. The 

 gorges along the larger streams are insignificant in area, 

 and have not yet been studied by the writer. They doubt- 

 less contain some species not listed below, but their per- 

 centages of abundance cannot be very high. 



The upland forests are subject to occasional ground- 

 fires, which however seem to do little damage. 



LIST OF TREES. 



Assuming the above figures to be correct, it appears 

 that about 30 /o of the trees, comprising only three spe- 

 cies — two pines and a cedar — are evergreen. 



Economic features. — The soil of the barrens is so much 

 less fertile than that of the Tennessee valley proper im- 

 mediately to the south, and the limestone basin just 



