MEADOW FLOWERS 151 



but constant accumulation of vegetable debris through 

 a period extending over many centuries. 



In the photograph on Plate XXXII., Fig. 2, a 

 section or cutting of a typical valley-meadow is seen. 

 The soil is composed entirely of peat, vs^hich is here 

 more than 4 feet thick. In the lower portion, the 

 white bleached masses, which are seen projecting, 

 are the roots of trees, probably of Pines, which once 

 covered the area now forming the meadow, like those 

 seen at some little distance to the right of the 

 photograph. It will be noticed that the actual soil 

 on which the meadow plants are seen growing is very 

 thin. It should be also pointed out that the hay of 

 this particular meadow had been cut some weeks 

 before the photograph was taken, so in this case the 

 crop is small. 



If we were to make an analysis of an Alpine meadow, 

 we should perhaps be surprised to find how many of 

 its inhabitants are British plants. Several of our 

 British Buttercups, such as the Bulbous Buttercup 

 {Ranunculus hulbosus, Linn.), the Field Buttercup {R. 

 acHs, Linn.), are abundant. The Bistort {Polygonum 

 historta, Linn.), the Ox-eye Daisy {Chrysanthemum 

 levicanthemum, Linn.), are characteristic. The Hare- 

 bell {Campanula rotundifolia, Linn.), and the common 

 Field Pansy {Viola tricolor, Linn.), are frequent. The 

 Water Avens {Geum rivale, Linn.), and Jacob's Ladder 

 {Polemonium coeruleum, Linn.), are often common. 

 Some of our British Geraniums, Campions, especially 

 Silene cucubalus, Wibel., and Catchflies, such as Lychnis 



