Rothiemurchus Forest 



119 



(10 cm.) of brown humus with interlacing pine-roots and 

 stems and roots of Vaccinium, and this is succeeded by 

 about 5 inches (12 to 13 cm.) of black peaty humus with 

 numerous fine rootlets. This layer passes down into peaty 

 sand with numerous stones. On the open heath there 

 is a surface layer of nearly pure peat about 3 inches 

 (7 — 8 cm.) thiokj apparently formed mainly by Cladonia 

 and this is succeeded again by several inches of black 

 peaty sand passing down into grey or yellow sand. In 

 places a hard layer of yellow-brown "pan" is met with 

 at the depth of a foot (30 cm.). 

 The following species occur : 



1 Locally co-dominant with Calluna. 



2 Towards the upper limits of the pine heath. 



Along the paths, even deep in the forest, are many 

 species which apparently do not occur on the heath itself. 

 Among these are Anemone iiemorosa, Viola Biviniana, 

 Juncus sqioarrosus, Agrostis tenuis, Anthoxanthum odo- 

 ratum. 



When the pinewood is close and casts a deep shade 

 Calluna is absent, and the ground vegetation is mainly 

 tnade up of Vaccinium Myrtillus, and Deschampsia 

 flexuosa. 



