86 DISTRIBUTION IN CONNECTION 



4. DISTRIBUTION IN CONNECTION WITH GEOGRAPHICAL 

 OR LOCAL POSITION. 



The distribution of plants in connection with geo- 

 graphical position, and the configuration or other pecu- 

 liarities of the surface, merits particular attention, whether 

 directly or indirectly caused thereby. Certain species 

 extend over all Britain, from east to west, north to 

 south, on the coast and inland. Some are spread over a 

 definite and considerable portion of the island, but are 

 altogether absent elsewhere. Others are so exceedingly 

 local as to be found in single counties or stations only. 

 And almost all intermediate degrees and kinds of distri- 

 bution are exemplified by divers others. So soon as the 

 necessary materials are collected, a sketch of the indi- 

 vidual range and distribution of each species will be pre- 

 pared. (See Preface.) It is now, and probably will 

 always continue, impossible to arrange them into groups 

 rigidly accordant to their peculiarities of distribution, but 

 some general types of vegetation, or geographic districts, 

 may be pointed out, without attempting to fix precise 

 limits. The following are suggested : — 



1st. The Atlantic Type embraces species found in 

 the south-west of England or Wales ; sometimes very 

 locally, sometimes extending far along the southern or 

 western counties, but rare or wanting on the east coast. 

 Some plants of very limited geographical extension are 

 common to this part of Britain, the west of France, and 

 Portugal. Erica ciliaris, Sibthorpia europaea, Euphorbia 

 Peplis, Bartsia viscosa, and Pinguicula lusitanica may be 

 given as examples of the Type. 



2d. The Germanic Type, includes species chiefly seen 

 in the south-east of England and counties adjacent to the 



