92 



DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS. 



1. CompositcB. Dominant: the genera and species numerous; some 

 of them minute-flowered and congested, entering largely into the com- 

 position of the alpine and subalpine turf. 



2. QmminacecB, or grasses. Frequent, everywhere except in the 

 forest ; the species numerous, most of them belonging to familiar 

 Northern genera. An unusual tendency in them to become viviparous 

 was remarked ; the florets of at least two species being almost always 

 replaced by bulbs. 



3. UmheU'ifercB. Including the sea-side Apium, and the woodland 

 OsmorJiiza ; and characteristic, on account of the sessile-flowered spe- 

 cies, entering largely into the composition of the alpine turf, 



4. EricacecB, Frequent in certain portions of the open country; 

 but growing in a scattered manner, and nowhere exceeding the dimen- 

 sions of medium-sized shrubs. 



Next after the above four prevailing Families of plants, five other 

 Families were extremely abundant, occurring in the following order 

 of frequency : 



5. Rosacece. Holding the fifth place ; principally on account of the 

 frequent Ancistrums and Acmia. 



6. Gyperaceoe. Consisting principally of Cnrices and CaricecB ; but 

 including some Scirpem. 



7. FiUces, or ferns. The larger species were confined altogether to 

 the forest. On the other hand, a diminutive species of Polypodium, 

 having its fronds entire and hardly half an inch high, was agglome- 

 rated in large alpine bunches ; that extended far under the shade of 

 the forest, and throughout the open country, to the very summits of 

 the mountains. 



8. Juncaceoe. Holding the eighth place ; chiefly on account of the 

 frequent occurrence of Juncus? grandijiorus throughout the open 

 country. 



9. Caryopliyllaceoe. Holding the ninth place ; chiefly on account of 

 the congested alpine tufts or beds of gen. Saginoid, extending through- 

 out the open country. 



There yet remain species of plants, abundant or remarkable, that 

 seem to require notice : as the frequent Gentiana ; a normal Viola : 

 and growing on declivities moister than usual from the continual trick- 

 ling of water, the abnormal minute-flowered Galtha ? ap>pendiculata, 

 Drosera uniflora, a Pinguicula, the Triglochin-like Tetronciuni, and 

 Primula farinosa ? : while the exposed muddy border of mountain* 



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