THE VEGETATION OF MONTAUK 47 



These three shrubs, with their associated plants, serve as pioneers for 

 the serious invasion of the grassland by the forest. On the top-most part 

 of the Downs these three shrubs are found only in rare patches. But as 

 one goes down the hill toward B they increase in size and frequency tre- 

 mendously, merging finally at C with their more usual prototypes that occur 

 in and along the edge of the Hither Woods. 



The interlacing of these two elements along this contact makes one of 

 the most interesting features of the vegetation of Montauk. On the top 

 of the hill, A, are mostly bare Downs with quite typical Downs species. 

 Then as one gets closer to the woods there is the progressive disappearance 

 of true Downs species, the flourishing of "escapes" or pioneers from the 

 woods, overtowered presently by the vanguard of the oaks, for which, in a 

 sense, they have been preparing the way. It is, of course, not such a 

 simple matter as the ease of description might indicate. Many local 

 irregularities, such as breaks in the Downs, exposure to the winds and so 

 forth may arrest this process or modify it. In fact along certain places, 

 where the Hither Woods is close to and exposed directly to the sea winds 

 these stragglers from it out into the Downs are practically unknown, as 

 we shall see presently. But where there is even slight shelter there is 

 always the condition that has been noted. 



At and near B (Fig. 15) where the struggle between the Downs' plants 

 and the pioneers from the woods is most intense the following plants were 

 found, arranged in order of frequency. Those that are of the Downs con- 

 tingent are in italics, while the Hither Woods element is printed in bold 

 face type. A few plants of general distribution over Montauk, or of no 

 special significance in the struggle for occupancy are in ordinary type. 



Gaylussacia baccata 



Rubus flagellaris 



Comptonia peregrina 



Agrostis alba 



Deschampsia flexuosa 



Rhus copallina 



Asclepias amplexicaulis 



Schizachyrium scoparium 



Padus virginiana 



Amelanchier nantucketensis 



Aster patens 



Euthamia tenuifolia 



Chamaecrista fasciculata 



Rosa palustris 



