BOOK-NOTES, NEWS, ETC. 71 
Wood, near Huddersfield) was examined in great detail, and the 
main factors determining the distribution of the more important 
plants of the undergrowth studied, such as soil, shade produced by 
the dominant tree, moisture, exposure, an and wind. The results thus 
obtained were then tested by an examination of the woodlands in an 
area of sixty-six square miles to the south and west of Huddersfield ; 
special attention was also paid to the distribution of these species 
beyond the limits of the woodlands. Three distinct vegetation 
regions are found in this area :—-(1) The Moss Moor, a part of the 
Pennines ranging in altitude from 1000 to 1700 feet. Here the 
conditions are extreme, and vegetation represented by very few 
species. Vaccinium Myr tillus on the higher ridges. fn Cd 
vaginatum on deep ill-drained peat, the base of the peat containing 
3 T . 
e sive deposits of birch he steeper slopes are clothed wi 
xerophytic grasses, Pteris aquilina, ling, and bilberry. (2) Mill- 
stone-Grit Plateau, altitude 1000 to 500 feet; soil sandy, well- 
drained, in places covered by thin peat. Vegetation xerophytic, 
typically Calluna and its associates. Dominant tree oak, with 
birch and pine. (8) Coal-Measure Area, aldtade 500 to 200 feet ; 
soils on. isin shales, clays and sandstones, with much 
humus i arts, moisture more constant, conditions medium. 
Vegetation midaashey ie: except on soils over sandstone where xero- 
phytes extend fr from the Gritstone area. Passing from east to we: 
th " ee 
a 
Measure area to 45 inches on th rtain 
species are restricted gion, others occur in two or even 
three regions. These features of distribution were indicated on 6 in 
to the mile survey maps, while on a much larger scale were 
used for separate woods. By this means the limits as well as the 
region of maximum development of each species: were shown. 
Though the line of demarcation is often distinct between the 
regions, there is not unfrequently an overlap. Particular attention 
was paid to the transition regions, and it was shown that, as the 
mesophytes invaded the region of the tes and came under 
the influence of drier and more rigorous conditions, resco develop 
xerophytic characters. On the other hand, as the xerophytes 
e 
encroach on the mesophytes and come under the mallonitis influ- 
ences of moisture and shade, they tend to lose xerophytic characters 
and take on mesophytic characters. The more pliable and adapt- 
able a species is the wider its range of variation and distribution ; 
the less pliable or adaptable species show a narrow range of 
e 
those specially dealt with were Pteris aquilina, leaf, leaf-stalk and 
izome ; also leaves of Scilla festalis, Deschampsia flexuosa, Holcus 
mollis, Vaccinium Myrtillus, Heracleum rata ates Lamium Gale- 
obdolon, and Mereurialis perennis, each show well-marked sun 
and inde ee and mesophytic steaks according to 
environment. 
Mr. R. ‘Le. Prarcer sends us a reprint of the paper on ‘ The 
Flora of Achill Island,” which he contributed to The Trish Naturalist 
