742 TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION K. 



Ecology of the Cryptoyamic Flora has received considerable attention, the 

 mosses by Pfeffer, Amman and Meylan, and the fungi by Fischer and von 

 Tavel. 



In May 1905, Dr. E. Riibel established, at his own expense and at the sugges- 

 tion of Professor Schroter, a biological station at Bernina Hospiz (2,309 metres). 

 This is equipped with all necessary meteorological instruments, and regular daily 

 observations are made. Much interesting work is going on here in studying the 

 conditions of plant life in the Alps. 



Commissions, aided by Government grants, play an important part in further- 

 ing ecological and other studies, the ' Naturforschende Gesellschaft der Schweiz ' 

 receiving annually about 60,000 francs for these purposes. 



Excursions do much to encourage .the study of plant geography and ecology, 

 especially in Zurich and Geneva, some of these being not only in the Alps, but 

 to distant parts of the Mediterranean region, and extending over three to four 

 weeks. In Ziirich an excursion fund exists of 30,000 francs, the interest of which 

 is distributed to such students as need it to meet the expenses of these extended 

 tours. 



9. Succession of Plant Formations in Britain. By G. E. Moss, M.Sc. 



1. The plant formation of sand dunes begins its history as an open association 

 (a) of strand plants (Atriplex spp., Salsola, &c.), or (6) of sea couch-grass (Agro- 

 pyronjunceum), or (c) oivaSirr&.va. gi&&B {Ammophila arundinacea) ; passes through 

 intermediate associations (rt) of dune pasture plants (Festuca rubra var. arenaria, 

 &c.), or {b) of dune marsh plants {Hydrocotyle, Scirpus maritimus, Jiincus spp., 

 &c.) ; and ultimately becomes a closed association of heath plants {Ononis repens 

 var. horrida or Saluv repens or Calluna^. At various of its later stages it is 

 often destroyed and converted into sandy farmland or golf links. 



2. The plant formation of muddy salt marshes begins its history as an open 

 association of Salicornia. It passes through intermediate associations composed 

 of plant societies dominated by various halophilous plants, such as Triylochin 

 maritimum, Plantayo maritima, Buda spp., and Armevia maritima. In its later 

 stages it is partially destroyed by the grazing of cattle and horses. Finally it is 

 completely destroyed, and converted into rich grazing land. 



3. Lowland peat moors often begin their history as shallow meres or lakes, at 

 first occupied by an open association of submerged and floating aquatic plants. 

 Later a reed swamp takes possession of the margin. The reed swamp is an 

 intermediate plant association dominated by several species {Phragmites, Typha, 

 Sparganium, &c.), each possessing the same plant form. The reed swamp 

 invades the centre of the mere, and is itself ousted by marsh plants, such as 

 Sphagnum spp. and Eriophonim angustifolium. The whole becomes a peat bog 

 dominated by peat-loving plants, such as Erica Tetralix, Myrica, and Molinia, 

 and finally becomes a closed association of Calluna. The plant formation is 

 often destroyed by the digging of peat, by the planting of birches and pines, and 

 by the conversion of the peat moss or moor into peaty farmland. In the hollows 

 left by the peat-cutters the whole plant formation tends to repeat its history. 



4. LTpland peat moors in England are not at the present time in process of 

 formation, and the plant formation can therefore only be satisfactorily determined 

 by an examination of peat deposits. Mr. Lewis finds more or less definite plant 

 successions in the peat mosses of Scotland. The author is engaged in an 

 examination of the peat deposits of the southern Pennines, and, in his opinion, 

 the time is not ripe for a definite pronouncement on the succession of plants of 

 upland peat moors. 



5. The difficulties in the way of forming a judgment regarding the succession 

 of plants which has led up to the various types of primitive woodland (birch, 

 pine, oak, and ash) are also very great, as almost all the primitive forests of the 

 British Isles have been destroyed aud converted into agricultural land, or have 



