Effect of Climate on Vegetation 27 



ttan the eastern and central portions of the country. 



The east central district of England (say from London 



northwards to the Wash) shows the nearest approach to 



a contiQental climate : the lowest rainfall, the hottest 



summers and the coldest winters. 



Some of the general effects of the geographical 



Effects of variation of the British climate on vegetation 



climate: on in relation to temperature have already been 



distribution alluded to. With regard to rainfall one 



of plant- general effect on the distribution of plant- 



fonnations. ? ■ ■ ,n t p 



lormations is the prevalence or moors 



dominated by various peat-fonning species of Cyperacea;, 



such as cotton grass (Eriophorum), and Scirpus c^sfitosus 



(as well as the "grass moors' dominated by Jilolinia 



cserulea, Juncu^ squarrosus and Xardus stricta), on the 



western side of the country, and their absence in the 



regions of low rainfall on the eastern side, where deep 



peat is only formed under special edaphic conditions. 



On the other hand heaths on shallow, dry, peaty soils, 



dominated by the common ling {Calluna vitlgaris), are 



commonest ia the regions of lower and medium rainfall 



in the centre, south and east. 



The agricultural effects are equally marked. The 



mild climate of the British Isles with its 

 Grassland. . t t t n i ■ 



comparatively cool summers and well dis- 

 tributed rainfall is particularly well suited to grass, and 

 indeed the country is deservedly famous for the richness 

 and beauty of its pastures. A direct result of this is the 

 flourishing condition of the pastoral industries, and the 

 fine quality of the British beef and mutton. The damper 

 climate and milder -\viiiters of western England and Ireland 

 are the best suited to grass growing, and it is here as well 

 as in the west-ern midlands and parts of the north that 

 the bulk of the pasture is found, and the cattle-raising 

 industry particularly flourishes. In several of the western 

 and midland counties there are more than twenty head of 



