294 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [october 



with the low frontal dunes south of the village. South, however, 

 the face of the first series of higher dunes is eroded, more prob- 

 ably on account of the fixed condition of the dunes than from 

 any protection which the frontal line offers. This eroded surface 

 has very' little vegetation, some few plants from the top having 

 fallen and taken root. In places where the erosion is not so 

 great, this slope is characterized by Ammophila, Etiphdrbia poly - 

 gofiifolia, and Leptiloit ca?Lade?ise, Over the edge, on the more 

 protected slope also appear Cassia 7iictitans, Oeiiothcra humifusa, 

 Sirophostyles helvola {S. angidosd) , Panicum amarum, lonactis Una- 

 riifolitis {^Aster li7iariijoliiis) , Rumex sp., etc., grading into heath 

 forms, as Lechea mhior (Z. thymifolia') , Baptisia tiiictoria, Myrica 

 cerifera, Baccharis halmifolia, Rhus copallina, Diospyros virgifiiana, 

 followed by clumps of Pmus rigida, Juniperus virgifdana, and 

 Querciis digitata {Q.falcatd), This first series borders the cape in 

 a practically complete line, openings allowing the sea in times 

 of storm to wash into the depressed area within. This region is 

 covered mostly by swampy meadows (the dominant form being 

 apparently Sparti?ia patens) with open water in places. In this 

 extended swampy area rise small rounded or elongated dunes, 

 the higher ones topped by pines {Pi?ms rigida). In one clump 

 of pines, occupying a depression surrounded by dunes, an under- 

 growth of Myrica cerifera and cranberry indicated a pine swamp 

 flora. Such swamps doubtless occupy similar situations in the 

 depressed area. 



{b) Hudsonia complex, — Back of the protecting ridge of the 

 first series lies a region of general depression in which at certain 

 places low dunes extend in all directions, forming a complex, 

 and held mainly by Hudsonia tome?itosa. In places the formation 

 is almost pure, in others various forms appear. These dunes are 

 rounded in form, and about a foot or two in height, correspond- 

 ing to the habit of the plant holding them. Swamps and 

 meadows extend among these dunes, produced in most cases by 

 the flooding in of the sea daring winter storms, the ground 

 remaining wet for most of the year. This complex is best seen 

 south of Rehoboth, between the sea and Silver lake. 





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