THE SUBDIVISION OF lEELAND xliii 



Munster. If it occurs in 1 to 20, its area of distribution is the 

 southern half of Ireland ; if in 21 to 40, the northern half. If 

 in 31 to 40, the northern fourth, approximately the Province of 

 Ulster. In order to bring out the eastern and western range of 

 plants in Ireland, a tripartite division of the country into West, 

 Centre, and East is employed, which is shown on map III., and is 

 further referred to when explaining the formula (p. xcv.) 



A brief description of the physical and botanical features of 

 each division may be found useful. 



1. Kerry South. 



South-western. Area, 930 square miles. Maritime, with an 

 extensive coast-line of bold and varied character. This division 

 is formed of great folds of Lower Devonian slates and sandstones ; 

 the anticlines including the highest mountains in Ireland (Mac- 

 gillicuddy's Eeeks, 3414 feet), and running in massive promontories 

 far into the Atlantic, the synclinal valleys occupied by Carbon- 

 iferous limestone to a limited extent. Elvers small and rapid. 

 Lakelets and tarns numerous. One-third of the total surface is 

 unreclaimed mountain ; and of the remainder, two-thirds is under 

 grass. Ten per cent, only is returned as under crops. Twenty-four 

 per cent, of the surface is over 1000 feet elevation — a figure exceeded 

 in Wicklow only. 



The exploration of the flora has engaged the attention of 

 Dr. Scully for many years past : the lists with which he has 

 supplied me are very full, and raise this division to the first rank 

 as regards botanical knowledge. 



Flora 680 species.'' Here the Cantabrian group of plants attains 

 its greatest development, and forms the most remarkable feature of 

 the flora. The rarity of limestone and large proportion of moun- 

 tainous country produce a paucity of calcicole and of marsh and 



1 In this and all other statistics the numhers refer to aggregate species — i.e. to 

 those printed in heavy type in the body of the work. Segregates are grouped under 

 theirnatural aggregates. For instance, the Fruticose Subi are counted as one species : 

 ikewise the Dactyloid Saxifrages, and the segregates of C'allitriche verna. The 

 Hieracia are grouped similarly, under the species printed in heavy type. Doubtful 

 records are omitted. 



