66 DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS 



4. The Subalpine Region commences at 500 to 800 

 yds. In Cumberland, 750 to 800 yds is probably the 

 proper limit to fix, Salix herbacea growing round the 

 summit of Grisedale Pike (850 yds) and Carex rigida 

 occurring 100 yds lower on some of the neighbouring 

 hills. On the Grampians, we find Juncus trifidus, Saxi- 

 fraga nivalis, and Gnaphalium supinum below 700 yds in 

 situations unfavourable to vegetation, but they are usually 

 poor and sickly-looking specimens. I believe about 800 

 yds to be the natural limit of this region in open situ- 

 ations on the southern declivities of the Grampians. 

 On the Ben Nevis range, we have Azalea procumbens, 

 Gnaphalium supinum, and Silene acaulis, growing on 

 the open moor by the side of the small lake on the 

 north-west side of the hill, and Salix herbacea hangs into 

 the stream where the water of the lake flows downwards. 

 This lake is probably between 600 and 700 yds above 

 the sea. On the moors above Loch Eil, at the opposite 

 side of the Caledonian Canal, Azalea procumbens appears 

 at 750 yds on a declivity towards the south-east. In the 

 north-west of Sutherland, Carex rigida and Azalea pro- 

 cumbens appear at 500 yds on open declivities ; and 

 the occurrence of these and other subalpine species in 

 Orkney, the greatest height of which is under 550 yds, 

 proves this to be about the natural line. It would hence 

 appear that the average lower line of true subalpine 

 species is at 800 yds in latitude 55°, about 700 yds in lat. 

 57°, and at 500 yds in lat. 59° ; and the subalpine region 

 may be said to commence about 50 yds lower. Cytisus 

 scoparius ascends to 650 yds in Aberdeenshire, and Ge- 

 nista anglica nearly to 750 yds ; but they are not often 

 seen thus high. 



The cessation or appearance of species, in the sub- 

 alpine region, varies much in the different mountain tracts. 

 In Cumberland, where the region includes only the higher 



