58 STUDIES IN THE VEGETATION OF THE STATH 



sumes the same importance as in tlie higher situations. This 

 early spring sedge is perennial by virtue of its rootstalks and 

 stolons. The flowers of G. pennsylvanica are proterogynous, 

 macrobiostigmatous, and allogamous. The stigmas are borne 

 below the longistaminate anthers, and if xenogamy fails geit- 

 onogamy may thus obtain. 



The blue and white ddisy-like flower of Anemone carolini- 

 ana appear with or soon after the flrst yellow spikes of Garex 

 pennsylvanica, and when abundant they present a striking 

 contrast with the faintly green sward. A. caroliniana is also 

 a xerophyte and a frequenter of southern slopes and crests ; 

 its bulbous root explains its prevernal appearance. The pol- 

 len is protected by the corolla-like sepals, which open at 8 :30 

 A.M. and close at 4 :30 p.m.^ remaining closed on cloudy days. 

 Fertilization is allo-autogamous. If allogamy is not secured 

 by visiting insects, which are by no means abundant at this 

 time, autogamy is sure to result with the closing of the flower 

 parts, as the anthers are brought in direct contact with the 

 stigmas. Last year, flowers excluded from all insects were 

 fertilized, and matured seeds. 



Androsace occidentalis is in all respects one of the smallest 

 and most inconspicuous of our flowering plants. Androsace 

 appears on high ridges about one Aveek before A nemone, and 

 were it not for the massing of its individuals, the plant might 

 easily pass unnoticed. Although Androsace is hapaxanthous, 

 it is wonderfully stable in the formation, since it occupies the 

 same ridge year after year. So far as observed, the plant has 

 no direct means of dissemination, hence its infrequent 

 distribution but copious numbers. The plants begin growth 

 in the autumn, forming a very small but closed rosette, which 

 passes the winter in excellent condition, and, during the 

 first warm days of spring, sends up a slender stalk bearing 

 a cluster of flowers. The inconspicuous, gamopetalous corol- 

 las are constricted immediately above the point of attach- 

 ment of stamens to the corolla, which serves to keep 

 the pollen dry. In case allogamy fails, it would seem that 



