10 IS Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



same height, and barren. The flowers of the majority of the plants grow 

 level with those of Anagallis tenella and Eadiola. 



An extreme example — and such are not rare — is now given : 



West End, neae Beetle Head. 



Plantago maeitima, v.c. Plantago Coronopus. 



Eadiola linoides. P. lanceolata. 



Potentilla Torrnentilla. Lnzula campestris. 



Sedurn anglicum. Aira praecox. 



Galium saxatile. Festuca ovina. 



Jasione montana. Mmurn hornum. 

 Anagallis tenella. 



This was a smooth shining sheet of P. maritima (at least 80 per cent.) with 

 mere scraps of the other plants. The rosettes of P. Coronopus and P. mari- 

 tima measured | inch to f inch across. The composition of the formation 

 varied as to the admixture of P. Coronopus, which sometimes equalled in 

 quantity P. maritima ; but one or both of these species was always absolutely 

 dominant. 



Or again : 



East of Lighthouse, 350 feet elevation. 



Plantago maeitima (at least 75 P. lanceolata, 



per cent.), Carex Oederi, 



P. Coronopus, Festuca ovina, 



with a very little Sagina 'procumbens, Cerastium triviale, Euphrasia officinalis. 

 Like the last, a smooth shining sheet of P. maritima. 



The Plantago formation occurs extensively, as will be seen from the map 

 (Plate II.), at the west end of the island, and at intervals elsewhere round the 

 margin, from near sea-level at the east end up to about 500 feet. It is 

 characteristic of ground greatly exposed to the sea, where in winter gales the 

 soil becomes soaked with spray. 



Meadowland Vegetation. 



This comprises the lowland flora, such as is associated with a predominance 

 of grasses, and such plants as Meadow-sweet, Yellow Flag, and Purple Loose- 

 strife. This flora is confined to the cultivated area, and only here and there 

 has it wholly escaped the effects of tillage. It is best seen in the north-east 

 of the island, where a series of little east-and-west valleys harbours a com- 

 paratively luxuriant vegetation. In these favoured spots grasses and 



