RECONNOISSANCE OF THE ELIZABETH ISLANDS 391 



have been laid out, are to a great extent but little more than 

 well-cleared wagon tracks, which follow the natural winding 

 contours of the surface, or occasionally curve or twist in an un- 

 expected manner, in order to avoid the destruction of, or to 

 bring into view, some striking feature, such as a large tree or 

 bowlder. 



The forest growth was a revelation, as most of it had all the 

 appearance of never having been disturbed by civilization. The 

 trees are in ever>'' stage of growth, from seedlings and small sap- 

 lings to those which are in their prime or past it, while lying on 

 the ground, where they have fallen naturally, are the decaying 

 trunks of former generations. 



Taken as a whole the arborescent flora is similar to that of 

 the mainland adjacent, and there is as much difference between 

 it and that of Martha's Vineyard, only about four miles distant, 

 as there is between the flora of the New Jersey highlands and 

 that of the pine barrens. There are a few scattered individuals 

 of Puius rigida Mill., and P. sylvestris L. has been introduced 

 and planted to a considerable extent, but aside from these two 

 species the trees are almost wholly deciduous, consisting largely 

 of Fagus Americana Sweet., Qiierciis alba L., Q. rubra L., Q. 

 vehitiiia Lam., and a plentiful sprinkling of Ostrya Virginiana 

 (Mill.) Willd. There are a few good sized individuals of Ilex 

 opaca Ait., widely separated, and Cytissiis scopariiis (L.) Link, 

 has been planted over quite extensive areas, formerly denuded, in 

 order to secure a quick growth of vegetation. This did not ap- 

 pear to be in a veiy thriving condition however, and in places 

 large patches had apparently died out completely. The arbor- 

 escent feature, however, which is sure to attract immediate atten- 

 tion is the great abundance of beeches. In certain sections there 

 are acres of the forest where this tree monopolizes fully nine- 

 tenths of the growth, and a complete tree census of the island 

 would undoubtedly show it to be in a considerable majority. 



On the outskirts of the forest, or where isolated individuals or 

 clumps of trees occur, a remarkable effect of the winds may be 

 seen. The branches on the side exposed to the unbroken 

 winds are short and stunted, while to the leeward they are 



