138 STRUCTURE AND UNITS OF VEGETATION. 



In consocies, on the contrary, the emphasis lies upon the root seq- (sec-, soc-) 

 found in sequor, and denoting sequence. This may be illustrated by the case 

 of the reed-swamp consocies. As is well known, the three dominants are not 

 exactly equivalent, but Scvrjms usually invades the deepest water and Phrag- 

 mites the shallowest, so that the corresponding consocies show a definite 

 sequence, even though they are all present at the same time. Such a suc- 

 cessional relation is typical of the dominants of an associes, and it is just this 

 relation which is denoted by the name consocies. It must also be recognized 

 that an associes may be represented in one locality by only one of two or more 

 consocies; for example, Typha may alone represent the three usual consocies 

 of the reed-swamp.' Particular consocies may be indicated by using a suflfix 

 with the generic name, as in the case of consociation. It is proposed to employ 

 the suffix -iesfor this purpose, as inSdrpies, Typhies, Phragmities, Aristidies, etc. 



Socles. — ^The socies bears exactly the same relation to consocies and associes 

 that the society does to consociation and association. It is a serai society, 

 characteristic of a developmental community instead of a climax one. It is 

 marked by subdominance within the dominance, in the way that a society is 

 composed of a subdominant within a climax dominance (plate 41, a, b). 



Socies show the same differences as those found in societies. They are more 

 or less characteristic of aspects, and they occiu- in layers, though to a smaller 

 extent, since layers are well-developed only in the final stages of a sere. 

 Cryptogamic or thallus socies are especially numerous, since such communities 

 are characteristic of many initial stages. As is evident, the term socies 

 comes from the root seq- {sec-, soc-), follow, found in its primary or secondary 

 meaning in all the preceding terms. WhUe the prefix con- in consocies indicates 

 the grouping of serai dominants to form an associes, its absence in socies sug- 

 gests the fact that the latter are not exact subdivisions of the consocies. 

 Socies are des^ated by using the generic name with an aflBx, as in the case 

 of the society. In place of the locative suffix, -ile, the diminutive -ule is pro- 

 posed, as in Sedvle, VioluU, Silenule, etc. This has the advantages of at 

 least suggesting the earlier serai position of the socies with reference to the 

 Society, and of indicating by the similarity of the two suffixes the close rela- 

 tionship between the respective communities. 



Colony. — ^The colony is an initial community of two or more species. It is 

 practically always a direct consequence of invasion, and hence is character- 

 istic of the early serai development in bare areas. It may arise from the simul- 

 taneous entrance of two or more species into the same spot, or it may result 

 from the mingling of families. From their occurrence in bare areas, particular 

 colonies are nearly always sharply delimited. They may appear in the midst 

 of later dense communities whenever a minute bare spot permits invasion, 

 or whenever success in competition enables an invader to make a place for 

 itself. In such places they simulate clans, but can be readily distinguished 

 by a careful scrutiny (plate 42 a). 



Colonies resemble clans in their usually limited size and in the absence of 

 a clear relation to the habitat, because they are still in the process of invasion. 

 They differ in appearing normally in bare areas or in open vegetation and in 

 being developmental in character. A colony differs from a family in con- 

 sisting of two or more invaders instead of one. It is one of the two kinds of 

 community formerly recognized by Clements (1905:297; 1907:227,239). 



