BIG SPRING PRAIRIE. 15 



-eleven White Oaks, four Red or Black Oaks, two Shin- 

 gle Oaks, three Hickories, and a large Blm, the last 

 was situated in a slight depression, and is over two feet 

 in diameter. 



The principle shrubs of the xero-mesophytic area 

 are Corylus Americana, Walt. (Wild Hazel-nut); Rhus 

 aromatica, Ait (Fragrant Sumac); Crataegus, (several 

 species); and Rhus glabra L. (Upland or scarlet sumac); 

 while the following are quite common: Hamamelis vir- 

 giniana L. (Witch hazel); Rhus radicans L,. (Poison 

 Ivy); Viburnum prunifolium h. (Black haw); Vibur- 

 num pubescens (Ait) Pursh. (Downy leaved arrow- 

 wood); Rubus villosus ait. (High-bush blackberry); Ru- 

 bus occidentalis L. (Black raspberry); Ribes Cynobasti 

 L. (Wild Goose berry); Rubus Canadensis L. (Dew- 

 berry); Vitis sp? Ptelea trifoliata L- (Shrubby tree-foil); 

 Viburnum acerifolium L. (Maple-leaved arrow-wood); 

 Celastrus scandens, L. (Climbing Bittersweet); Smilax, 

 several species; Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L-) 

 Planch (Virginia Creeper); and Hnonymous atropur- 

 purens, Jacq. (Wahoo, or burning bush). Three of the 

 above species Rhus aromatica, Ptelea trifoliata, and 

 Crataegus were found growing, in the Summer of 1902, 

 on a sand dune along the shore of Lake Michigan, 

 thus proving the xerophytic capabilities of these spec- 

 ies. Frequently by the lagging behind of effects, xero- 

 phytic plants will cling to an area for a considerable 

 time even after the conditions have changed to the 

 xero-mesophytic or to the mesophytic. 



On the median plane and the drainage valleys, 

 most of the above species also occur, but not so com- 

 monly; while Benzoin benzoin (L.) Coult. (Spicebush), 

 Cornus, several species; Rosa sp?; and Xanthoxylum 

 Americanum Mill. (Prickly Ash) are quite abundant. 



The common or characteristic herbaceous plants 

 of the xero-mesophytic area are Antennaria plantagini- 

 folia (h) Rich. (Plantain*leaf Everlasting), which fre- 



