INTRODUCTION. xlix 
ascend above an elevation of 3,000 feet in Kerry. The upward 
range of the Kerry lowland flora is shown graphically in the 
accompanying diagram. 
The striking diminution in the flora that occurs between 
zones 1 and 2, amounting to a loss of nearly half the total, is 
not due to the climatic changes caused by a rise of 500 feet ; at 
this elevation such slight changes as occur exert no appreciable 
influence on the flora. As Mr. Colgan points out when dealing 
with this subject in his Flora of Dublin, the most important of 
the eliminating or diminishing causes are those connected with 
the physical aspects of the land. Thus within the lowest zone 
are included almost all of the varied sea coast habitats, most 
of the woods and hedgerows, the larger lakes and rivers, and 
all the calcareous tracts in the county. In this zone are also 
included the chief human influences on the flora, such as the 
great bulk of the agricultural operations in the county, with 
all the towns, mills, harbours and railways with one exception® ; 
these combined causes account for more than three-quarters 
of the lost 369. With zone 2, agriculture, which is rarely seen 
in Kerry much above 750 feet, almost ceases to affect the ‘flora, 
most of the roads too disappear, while climatic influence now 
begins to assert itself. With zone 3 (1,001-1,500 feet), 
practically all the remaining roads are left behind, the two 
highest in the county being the Priestsleap road rising to 1,531 
feet, and the Lackabaun roaj to 1,482 feet, both of them 
crossing the mountains on the Co. Cork boundary; the well 
known Connor Hill road between Brandon Bay and Dingle 
reaches 1,352 feet, while several others exceed the 1,000 feet 
level. Even in zone 4 (1,501-2,000 feet), human influence on 
the flora is not quite eliminated as foot or pony tracks ascend 
both Brandon and Mangerton to over 2,000 feet ; the latter 
toute is well known to Killarney tourists and reaches the level 
of the Punch Bowl, 2,206 feet, where ponies await the return 
of visitors to the summit. To this path no doubt, Trifolium 
repens, Hieracium Pilosella and Urtica dioica owe their unusual 
elevation, being introduced here most probably with pony 
fodder. Sheep, too, and a few half-wild goats, have been 
noticed grazing all over the Kerry mountains, even as high ag 
the summit of Carrantuohill, 3,414 feet. With these excep- 
tions, however, climatic influence is no doubt the dominant 
influence on the flora above 1,500 feet. 
* The Dingle and Tralee Light Railway ascends to about 700 feet at 
Glounagalt where it crosses the main axis of this peninsula. ; 
