1908] DACHNOWSKI—TOXIC PROPERTY OF BOGS 131 
toward breaking up the flora into a heterogeneous formation, accom- 
panied by a frequent replacement of one dominant group by another 
(3). These reactions of plants seemed still more pronounced in bog 
societies. During the past year a grant obtained from the Emerson 
McMillin Research Fund afforded an opportunity to test by physi- 
ological methods the nature of plant reactions. The investigation 
here reported forms a part of a more extended study on the ecology 
of Buckeye Lake. This brief report is merely intended to reveal the 
toxic character of bog water and bog soil. A more detailed account, 
together with data obtained from an inquiry on the possible isolation 
and identification of the toxic bodies by a method of fractional dis- 
tillation, will appear later. 
uckeye Lake is situated 40*™ east of Columbus, Ohio, in a 
region free from limestone. It is an extensive body of water about 
16*™ long and 1.6*™ wide, and was formerly known as the Licking 
reservoir. The reservoir was originally a lake in the glacial drift. 
Its chief supply today is the south branch of the Licking River. 
In 1883 and again in 1834’ its water surface was raised by 
forming a dike around: the west end. Near the northern bank, 
and midway between the small towns of Lakeside and Avon- 
dale, is a bog island, approximately one-tenth the dimensions of the 
lake. Soundings which were made to determine the character of 
the peat gave Q-12™ as the depth of the island. With its surface 
Yegetation of distinctly northern forms, the island is virtually a water 
vulture on a large scale. The plants are not dependent for any 
" Pottant part of their food on the soil; rooting in the soil at such 
“pth is not possible here. The vegetation presents two well- 
marked zones: a central one consisting of sphagnum, several 
eee of Carex, Menyanthes trifoliata, Dulichium arundinaceum, 
: heu chzeria palustris, Eriophorum, Oxyzoccus, Drosera, Rhus 
ee Aronia nigra, and others; and a marginal zone which 
nic y besides various forms of Salix, Alnus incana, A. rugosa, Ilex 
a. ata, Cornus canadensis, etc., a few small oaks, and Acer 
Ach as the dominant form. Mycorhiza is quite common 1 
a “Sie Many plants are strictly hydrophilous, and such ea 
tivated variety as are grown in either zone for experiment 
Purposes show marked difficulties of absorption, soon become stunted, 
