54 BIG SPRING PRAIRIE. 



the adjoining ridge, but very similar to that of F and G 

 to the east of it. Although the prevailing winds are 

 favorable, few if any ridge plants have become estab- 

 lished upon it. Again as the prevailing winds are west- 

 erly, few of the species occurring on F and G are found 

 upon H, although the ecological factors of nature of soil 

 and water content are similar. The surface is well sod- 

 ded with grasses and sedges, but very hummocky as 

 shown in figure 10. 



The next most characteristic plant is Iris versicolor 

 (Iris or Blue Flag). Two species of Polygonum occur 

 in moderate quantities. Few other plants are common. 

 The Iris occurs also in the northeast corner of woods K. 



In the northwestern corner of field there were four 

 Ash trees, having the lower portion of trunk considera- 

 bly enlarged and the roots prominent. 



FIELD D. 



Before the deepening ditches in 1897, the most 

 characteristic plant of this small area was Phragmites 

 phragmites (L.) Karst. (Reed). It is still quite common. 

 Other fairly common plants Salix (several species), As- 

 ter novae-angliae. Aster puniceus, Solidago Riddellii, 

 Solidago Ohiensis, Verbena hastata, and Urtica gracilis. 

 One clump of Chelone glabra occurred also. The Phrag- 

 mites are witnesses of the low marsh condition, and the 

 Solidago Ohioensis and Riddellii of the wet prairie. 

 The Urtica gracilis gives evidence of the occurrence of 

 prairie fires. That there were no severe burns is evi- 

 denced by the fact that marsh and wet prairie species 

 are still the dominant plants. 



As the two divisions of Natural Meadows and 

 Heath Societies gradually shade into each other, and 

 as they possess many species in common, we shall 

 treat of them jointly, beginning with the large area, oc- 

 cupying the greater portion of the territory between 

 the two new roads indicated on map I. 



