STRUCTURE OP THE FORMATION 91 



eupatorioides inhabits high prairies and to some extent mead- 

 ows ; it is, however, of a xerophytic tendency. Kuhnia occurs 

 in seventeen quadrats out of twenty-seven for all locations, 

 with an average of five individuals. When seen from a dis- 

 tance, especially upon ridges, the plant has a characteristic 

 bush-like appearance, owing to the numerous leafy stems 

 proceeding from the same perennial root. The greenish, 

 terminal flower clusters are of secondary note in the aspect ; 

 nevertheless the abundant whitish pappus renders the plant 

 prominent during maturation. Lygodesmia juncea is an in- 

 conspicuous xerophilous perennial of Great ridge, occurring 

 only rarely. It belongs properly to the summer aspect. On 

 account of its wiry stems and linear leaves the plant is rarely 

 seen among the facies. Sporoiolus asper and Sf. heterolepis 

 are two pleiocyclic grasses sparsely distributed over Great 

 ridge, neither one being abundant enough, however, to add 

 to the floral covering. It is interesting to note that a xero- 

 phyte like Sporobohis asper should have obtained a foothold 

 along the southern border of the wet meadow and become 

 almost controlling for fifty meters or more in extent. Era- 

 grostis pectinacea also is found on Great ridge, but more 

 especially on the lower slopes ; in addition to this it is a fre- 

 quenter of roadsides. It grows in definite bunches which 

 are not recognized until the large purplish panicles appear. 

 The plant is never abundant enough to add color to the as- 

 pect. During maturation the panicles become free and roll 

 about as for Panicum capillare, thus dispersing their seeds. 



Gentiana puherula is a rare and infrequent inhabitant of 

 low prairies. Its rather short, leafy stems, mostly clustered 

 from perennial roots, produce, during September and October, 

 the few large, bright blue flowers. Gentiana puberula, Aster 

 sericeus, A. ohlonglfoUiis, and SoUdago rigidiuscuia are 

 among the last bloomers of the year. From various observa- 

 tions made, the flowers of Gentiana are undoubtedly proter- 

 androus, insect pollination obtaining. Artemisia gnapha- 

 lodes is normally a xerophy te ; its stem and leaves are covered 



